Research Assistant Tech 3 - Vancouver, Canada - University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia

Verified Company

Vancouver, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research Assistant Tech 3

Department

Research l Tropini I Department of Microbiology I Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$4, $4,718.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

March 24, 2023

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

Job End Date

Mar 31, 2024

Job Summary

This individual will play a major role in providing animal health, welfare, and other animal care duties in the UBC Gnotobiotic Research facilities hosted in Centre for Disease Modeling (CDM).

This is a regular full-time position as a co-supervised member of the Osborne and Tropini labs in the UBC Department of Microbiology & Immunology.

The Gnotobiotic Research Assistant will be responsible for the daily maintenance and care of small laboratory animals housed in germ-free or gnotobiotic isolators or dedicated caging systems, including facility cleanliness and maintaining adequate supplies of food and bedding materials, ensuring sterility, training personnel and writing animal protocols.

The successful incumbent will ensure the highest quality of laboratory animal care and research support by pursuing and improving methods of animal husbandry and resource utilization.

The Animal Care Technician will work together with other technicians and veterinarians in a time-sensitive, regulated environment governed by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and UBC Animal Care Committee (ACC).

This position requires strict adherence to protocols and standard operating procedures that prevent accidental introduction of disease or confounding research variables.

Work may involve the use of potentially hazardous material or may be located in areas where such materials are used.

Work may require the use of personal protective equipment, including a full face respirator. The work is physical, including lifting up to 25 kgs. On occasion, work schedules may include evenings, weekends or statutory holidays, with appropriate compensation. This position will be expected to work independently with supervisory support available. Orientation and training will be provided on the job.

This position offers a unique working environment within the University of British Columbia.

Organizational Status

The Gnotobiotic Research Assistant will receive direction and report to the Principal Investigators (PI's) Drs Tropini and Osborne.

They will also work with Zone Supervisor & other animal care technicians within the CDM and UBC registered veterinary technicians and Clinical Veterinarians.

Regular meetings with the PIs and their teams, primarily those lab members involved with the Gnotobiotic facility, will facilitate success.

Work Performed

Responsible for providing basic husbandry (handling, restraint, and health, behavior and welfare surveillance) of small laboratory animal species in accordance with Canadian Council of Animal Care guidelines

This includes:

animal handling; inventories and record keeping for each animal; assisting with breeding colony maintenance (setting up breeding pairs feeding, weaning, and keeping records of activity/health); performing rounds to observe and check the physical health and well-being of laboratory animals; preparing health reports; isolating infected or ill animals and reporting to veterinarian; general housekeeping and maintenance of facility and equipment.

Maintain and manage several germ free (GF) colonies in CDM, with strict adherence to isolation and containment SOPs to ensure safety of CDM and the GF colony.

Proven knowledge in aseptic and sterile technique is a must. Maintain an extensive inventory of food, bedding, water and other supplies necessary for GF isolators/racks. Monitor, report, and/or order consumables and GF equipment as needed, using established protocols. Set-up/tear down of all GF equipment for sterilization as needed. Train CDM staff and lab members on GF procedures as needed. Monitor for, assess and report any GF specific health conditions to ensure optimal colony health.

Plan, order and prepare in advance all supplies required for GF colonies, prepare, process, transfer and ensure full sterility of all GF supplies introduced to the GF colonies.

Meet regularly with the GF labs, supervisors, and CDM staff to update on status of projects, needs and future plans.

Communicate with GF/gnoto vendors and gnoto community to learn and request information on the procedures/problems, and help develop new procedures as needed.

Write and update GF SOPs as needed, for final approval by the lab supervisor/PI. Ability to self-direct and self-manage own work and the work of other ACS staff assisting in the GF duties.

Train staff and lab members on GF techniques, GF handling of mice in isolators, and GF designated caging, handling techniques in BSC to prevent contamination.

Collects samples for monitoring GF/gnotobiotic status of