Description
The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Microbiome Technician. This Fixed Term Recurring Part-time position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
Reporting to the Scientific Director.
Recurring Part-time employees are hourly employees engaged to perform work on an irregular schedule.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Technical and Operations
- Operate and maintain basic and complex technical equipment; conduct routine equipment checks (incubator/freezer temps, gas pressures, LiN2 levels, isolator pressures, etc). Advises supervisor of any equipment problems that require maintenance or repair
- Accurately performing high level technical assays under sterile conditions and timely troubleshooting, along with designing and optimizing new biochemical assays
- Assist with plans and designs for specialized applications to meet the needs of operations, research, and services
- Data entry and digital records for but not limited to animal husbandry, procedures and microbiology
- Maintenance of mouse colonies in isolators, importation of mice into isolators and assisting with basic treatments
- Animal husbandry, including
- Provide animal care for gnotobiotic and wild animal models, along with Level I & II pathogen animal models for all species of laboratory animals used in research. This includes feeding, watering and changing cages following strict germ-free and safety guidelines for prevention of exposure to microbes. Ensure adherence to the legal limit of maximal number of mice per cage according to cage type
- Monitors and assesses general animal health for the models described and reports problems to the director, manager or supervisors
- Provides basic treatments and perform microbial testing for animals as directed by director or manager
- Record keeping both manual and computer based for consistency in animal health, effective use of animal models and reporting to the facility management
- Drum preparation for autoclaving and sterile import of supplies into isolators including sterilization of connecting sleeves
- Monitor and maintaining of the climate parameters within the animal rooms
- Applies, monitors and ensures the hygiene concept
- Ensure animal ethics protocols are current and accurate
- Custodial duties to maintain facility sanitation procedures
- Ensure high standard of animal care to the research community that complies with animal, facility and good laboratory standards
- Assist with establishment of SOPs and recommend changes to methods, procedures, and practices within the lab
- Assist with the development of each lab's safety policy, as well as implementation and documentation, which includes fulfillment of University requirements for self-inspections and all necessary documentation
- Prepare and execute import permits for cell lines and bacterial strain collections
- Oversee reliable and safe operation of all WiMIC/IMC equipment for various users, including stocking of all necessary materials and supplies
- Assists other staff, students, and Faculty in the operation of equipment and protocols, along with animal protocols
- Duties are physically demanding, requiring frequent lifting for heavy lifting and standing for long periods of time, along with acknowledged risk for developing animal or equipment (ie:latex) related allergies
Administration
- Support with ordering: researching product availability/pricing, obtaining quotes, receiving order requests from trainees, submitting all orders through PeopleSoft, overseeing receipt of goods, managing inventory, and waste disposal
- Budget involvement including developing reports, tracking expenses, and reconciliation of accounts
- Responsible for procurement and operational management of precision equipment and processes
- Keep WiMIC/IMC rooms and work areas clean and safe
- Extensive and up-to-date understanding, continued learning and development of safety codes, standards, and systems related to specialization
- Attends appropriate training courses pertaining to safety, biological studies and animal research as required by University policy
- Legal obligation to adhere to the University of Calgary policies and procedures, and Canadian Council on Animal Care standards of animal care, Health Canada Laboratory Safety Guideline, as well as Occupational Health and Safety regulations
- May require weekend work
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences or related field
- 3-5 years of related technical experience in biological sciences and in-depth experience in a research laboratory
- Experience in animal (mouse) husbandry is essential and may include but is not limited to Animal research facility, Veterinary Clinic or other animal care organizations
- Expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, immunology techniques, microscopy, and/or other related fields
- Ability to perform detailed design, documentation, and implementation of moderately complex technological systems consistent with a laboratory setting
- Experience with various biological samples (eg. blood, tissues, urine, etc)
- Ability to provide technical support for other team members and users through advice on technical lab and husbandry issues
- Extensive knowledge of theory and practical application of technical procedures and techniques
- Analytical skills and ability to keep accurate and detailed records with a high impact of error are essential
- Experience in lab organization, detail orientated, good problem solving abilities and a professional attitude and work ethic
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Understanding of safety codes and standards related to specialization
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills are required for interacting with and providing advice on technical skills to the team, researchers and other facility users, in person, on the phone and by email
- Knowledge of University core business systems is desirable
- WHIMS Certification
- Knowledge of ethics certification through IRISS an asset
Application Deadline: July 3, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 1
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
