Laboratory Coordinator (Vec)

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Posting End Date

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

Job End Date

This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.

Note: Only the Full Time Compensation Range is displayed on the job posting details advertised on the UBC Career sites.

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

The Laboratory Coordinator will organize and supervise the day-to-day activities of the Vaccine Evaluation Center laboratory projects and personnel, will organize and participate in the upkeep of the lab, and will conduct a variety of technical tasks.

The position is entirely onsite at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. This position is subject to one-year contracts with ongoing renewal expected, based on performance and funding available.

Organizational Status
The individual will report to the Investigator(s) of the relevant studies, the Director of the VEC, and to the Director of Operations.

Work Performed

Laboratory coordination and organization

• Overall coordination of the laboratory including prioritization of laboratory activities based on workload, availability of personnel and study deadlines, and assisting in forecasting workload, personnel, and financial requirements.
• Contributes to development and implementation of laboratory policies and ensures they are being adhered to.
• Manages the laboratory's clinical sample processing platform
• Manages communications with collaborators regarding exchange of laboratory samples and data.
• Organizes custom clearances for sending and receiving international reagents/supplies/samples.
• Allocates space for study samples and coordinates sample documentation.
• Oversees of equipment procurement, maintenance, and certification.
• Ensures that required documentation and accurate records are kept by laboratory personnel for experimental work (e.g. laboratory notebooks and standard operating procedures).
• Assists with organizing the lab work for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students
• Organizes, oversees and conducts day-to-day laboratory upkeep duties, such as:
  • Maintaining supplies inventory, ordering of standard and specialized supplies and reagents, unpacking deliveries, restocking lab shelves
  • Disposing of lab materials under institute guidelines.
  • Regular cleaning duties (e.g. cleaning glassware, flow hoods, and incubators)
  • Autoclaving supplies
  • Maintaining liquid nitrogen tank service
  • Coordinating lab coat maintenance
  • Defrosting freezers and cleaning fridges

Technical Laboratory Work

• Designs, implements, and supervises novel experimental procedures for projects investigating immune responses to vaccination in humans and animal models.
• Solves complex non-standard technical problems and methodologies using creative solutions; advises lab members and other staff on experimental design for complex lab procedures.
• Trains and oversees the work of lab technicians and undergraduate students
• Conducts, trains on and oversees techniques such as:
  • Animal Care: Breeding, immunization, euthanization, tissue collection, and special experimental techniques as required (e.g. cardiac puncture)
  • Immunology: ELISA, Luminex, Fluorospot, flow cytometry and cell
  • Bacteriology: production of bacterial strains
  • Molecular biology: DNA, RNA extractions, sequencing preparation
  • Tissue Culture:
    • Aseptic technique and preparation of sterile media and other reagents
    • Isolation of cells from blood samples and cytokine production stimulation
    • Infection of whole blood/ cell lines/ isolated cells with CL2 pathogens
    • Maintenance of frozen cell repository

Administration

• Responsible for preparing human ethics and biosafety applications/protocols for the laboratory including new submissions, amendment, and renewals.
• Conducts performance reviews for lab technicians
• Creates, amends and tracks laboratory project budgets
• Credit card reconciliation (UBC Workday) for laboratory purchases
• Responsible for presenting research at local, national, and international scientific meetings.
• Conducts literature review in support of studies.
• Writes scientific manuscripts.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors in the lab will negatively impact the integrity of the research as well as harm the reputation of all stakeholders involved. Errors can also result in safety risks when suitable supervision of staff and SOPs are not adhered to. It is crucial that the Laboratory Coordinator exercises a high level of consideration and good judgement in all aspects of the role

Supervision Received

Works under minimal supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters that depart significantly from established policy and procedure. Responsible for working independently and receiving general direction for study-related issues. Responsibility lies with the incumbent to prioritize the workflow and respond in a timely manner. The individual must recognize and prioritize additional tasks that need to be done and proactively resolve problems.

Work is reviewed in terms of effectiveness within the established policies of the Vaccine Evaluation Center, Department, and University.

Supervision Given
Supervises the day-to-day activities of the lab, including inventory and coordinating project needs. Will supervise a small group of Research Assistant/Technician employees and undergraduate students, and will be asked to provide input and participate during staff selection and performance evaluations. Will help coordinate study needs of trainees (postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students).

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

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

- 5+ years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Experience with animal work is greatly preferred.

- Background in cellular and molecular immunology.

- Leadership in multi-color flow cytometry.

- Availability to work occasional weekends

- Experience with Financial Services at UBC and PHSA a strong asset.

- A high level of computer skills is essential.

- 3+ years experience organizing and supervising the work of others.

- Ability to carry out complex modifications or procedures without supervision.

- Ability to plan, implement, and complete work assignments without supervision.

- Ability to solve complex technical, equipment, computer, and software problems.