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

Chemistry Teaching Labs | Department of Chemistry | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$4, $5,036.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

June 29, 2023

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

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students.

Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Under mínimal direction and according to course timetable, is responsible for preparation of equipment and chemicals for lab experiments, maintenance of equipment, equipment and chemical inventory, and ordering of equipment supplies.

Directly supervises and trains Work Learn students.

Under the direction of the Lab Instructor/Laboratory Program Director, assists with supervision of TAs and students while they are in the lab to ensure safety procedures are followed.

Tests experiments and participates in experiment development to verify that the results are reproducible and are within the constraints of time and resources that the students will encounter in the lab.

As a staff member in Chemistry, may also be required to participate in departmental committees and activities.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Lab Instructor/Laboratory Program Director only when necessary. Coordinates work required with other technicians, chemistry stores, electronics, mechanical and glass shop personnel. Reports to Administrative Supervisor for issues relating to attendance, reassignment and HR issues.

Work Performed

Ensures that the laboratories for CHEM 111/121/123/Vantage College are cleaned, equipment has been maintained, set-up done, and ready for each lab session.

Trains and supervises Work Learn students. Relays technical and safety information to the TAs and students enrolled in the course.

Responsible for the set-up of the lab for numerous lab sections per week involving enrollments of more than 3,000 students.

Also sets up lab sections for smaller summer sessions:

- ensures that adequate supplies of chemical reagents are on hand for each experiment and in appropriate form for dispensing to or by the TAs or students (e.g., transferred to liquid dispenser, etc.)
- allocates and maintains inventory of glassware and equipment included in individual student kits
- dispenses, collects and/or restocks chemicals/equipment to be used during particular experiments; cleans and dries used equipment when necessary
- orders and maintains inventory of chemicals and consumables (e.g. filter paper, weigh boats, labels, etc.)
- prepares standard solutions and reagents
- prepares chemicals and apparatus for pre-lab demonstrations given by Lab Instructor/Laboratory Program Director and TAs
- neutralizes and/or dispose of hazardous chemical waste and spills (e.g. acid, base, flammable liquid, and strong oxidizing agents)
- ensures all safety/WHMIS regulations are met, maintains safe lab practices, and prepares and maintains SOPs
- completes annual apparatus and chemical inventory and orders new supplies as required
- may be required to substitute for other lab technicians for performance of routine tasks.
- demonstrates the usage of complex equipment and computer programs to TAs and students when needed
- participates in development and testing of new experiments
- installs, tests and calibrates software (MicroLab interfaces) on PCs; tests and maintains data-probe interfaces

Prepares TA schedules, assists with preparation of TA information books, assembles marking folders and introductory information packages for TAs

- maintain the organization of approximately 20,000 completed and marked laboratory reports and quizzes

Oversees maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment and instrumentation valued at approximately $250,000, including up to 50 computers and 50 MicroLab interfaces.

Instruments and associated responsibilities may include:
- pH meters and electrodes

Visible-Wavelength Spectrophotometers MicroLab computer interfaces, computers and printers

- analytical balances
- top loading balances
- melting point apparatus
- aspirator pumps

UV lamps

- rotary evaporators

Miscellaneous Equipment:

Responsible for the maintenance and proper operation of such common lab equipment and apparatus as water baths, ovens, hot plates, ultrasonic cleaners, liquid dispensers, ice machines, etc.

Recommends the replacement of faulty or broken equipment or upgrade to older equipment to the Lab Instructor/Laboratory Program Director.

Solutions Preparation Room:
Maintains the water still located in Chemistry Stores by perf