Research Assistant/technician 3 - Vancouver, Canada - University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia

Verified Company

Vancouver, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

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Description

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research Assistant/Technician 3

Department

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance | Department of Chemistry | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$4, $5,036.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

July 24, 2023

Note:
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Jul 31, 2025

Job Summary

This position provides sample services to both the internal and external clients of the departmental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facilities and performs scheduled routine software and hardware maintenance work on solution and solid-state NMR spectrometers and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) in the departmental NMR facilities.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Manager of the NMR Facility.

Work Performed

Provides NMR/EPR data services for internal and external users and performs routine spectrometer maintenance, including, but not limited to, periodic shimming (biweekly), pulse calibrations on 1H, 13C, 31P and 15N nuclei (quarterly), variable temperature calibration, and keeps accurate maintenance logs, and timely communicate the results with the facility manager.
Performs all routine checkups on instrument hardware conditions (fans, air filters, air compressor, He/N2 cylinders, Haskris chiller etc.) Reports any abnormality to the facility manager.
Conducts user training and assists facility users with proper use of spectrometers including operating autosampler, variable temperature experiments and other routine experiments.
Provides cryogenic fills on facility spectrometers as required.
Prepares the monthly invoices for our external customers and records spectrometer usage to support accurate monthly billing for both internal users and external customers.
Maintains and updates the facility user records, and keeps user info current in the NMR reservation system.
Participates in ordering, requisitioning, and replenishment of parts inventory and other materials used in the NMR lab.
Attends appropriate staff professional development and related training and safetyrelation courses.
Adheres to safety regulations and procedures.
Participates in lab maintenance, organization and cleanliness to ensure the lab environment is a welcoming for all users.
Updates information on the departmental NMR website
Provides general coverage and support in other areas as required as commensurate with the grade.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors in judgement could lead to lost work time and reduction of services available to the department research groups and outside research community as well as damages to very expensive equipment.

Negligence could result in facility and reputational damages of the departmental NMR facilities as well as relationships with our internal and external customers.

Supervision Received

Works under the supervision of the Manager of NMR facility.

Supervision Given

None. Provides ongoing instruction to facility users.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in Chemistry is required; an MSc in Chemistry or Physics preferred. Minimum 3 years of relevant laboratory experience including working with cryogenic liquids and practical experience with NMR spectrometers. Experience of Bruker Topspin and ICON NMR software for data acquisition and analysis is desirable.
Familiarity with Linux operating system and good literacy with Microsoft office suite.
Superior attention to detail, ensuring the work performed is delivered with precision and accuracy.
Ability to work effectively both in a team and independently.
Ability to learn quickly, and to follow and/or deliver instructions.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly and politely with staff and students.
Ability to maintain a congenial work environment.
Ability to lift goods of more than 20lbs.

Working Conditions

The NMR lab is located in Rm B460/D126/B353/E115/EPR in various rooms of Chemistry buildings.

The facility has seven high resolution Bruker solution NMR spectrometers (three 400MHz, two 300MHz, two 600MHz spectrometer, one of them equipped with a micro cryo-probe), one solid state 400MHz and one EPR spectrometer.

In addition, facility personnel also service a 300 MHz spectrometer housed by other research groups in Chemistry.

The main hazard is the occasional strong magnetic fields associated with the superconducting magnets used in every NMR lab. Occasionally, personnel handle liquid N2 in dewars for low temperature NMR experiments. Occasional NMR sample preparation is also required.