Laboratory Technician

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

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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 Technician will operate analytical instrumentation to support occupational and environmental monitoring projects related to air and surface contamination.

The Laboratory Technician will work in the Occupational and Environmental Health lab; a research and teaching lab within the School of Population and Public Health. The lab is involved in method development and sampling for many occupational and environmental hazards.

Organizational Status
Housed within the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) is an innovative unit that encompasses many of the health-related groupings at UBC as a collaborative venture. The School is structured around four divisions: Occupational and Environmental Health; Health Services and Policy; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health Practice; and Health in Populations. The resulting mix of professions and disciplines is seen as a means of connecting individuals and learners to galvanize the relationship between health research, public health and health services and to enhance learning.

Work Performed

The Laboratory Technician will perform the following duties:

• Follow OEH lab standard operating procedure (SOP) to extract samples and analyze by LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, HPLC, ion chromatography, or other techniques.

• Interpret experimental results

• Interpret data and troubleshoot instrument problems arising.

• With assistance, further develop sample processing and analysis techniques.

• Assist with procurement of supplies and equipment - lab consumables, rental equipment, obtaining service/calibrations

• Monitor supplies and inventory.

• Prepare sampling kits for shipping to field sites.

• Conduct basic laboratory housekeeping tasks - cleaning glassware, archiving samples, sending and receiving shipments.

• Other laboratory-related work as required by investigators, including:

  • XRF, gravimetric analysis

  • Maintenance of water purification system

  • Maintenance of field sampling equipment

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The work performed follows established protocols and techniques. The candidate will work within these guidelines, but exercise judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion. New or unusual problems are referred to supervisor. Errors in sample preparation may result in significant harm to the overall project, as sample collection is difficult to repeat.

This position will be responsible for access, collection, use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSBC 1996) and other UBC privacy and security policies. This position requires employees to work under strict confidentiality requirements; internal procedures and policies to protect personal information must be followed and adherence to these requirements will be regularly reviewed by the employer.

Supervision Received
The Laboratory Technician will report to the Occupational and Environmental Health Lab Manager. They will be required to work independently as well as within a team environment.

Supervision Given
The Laboratory Technician may supervise undergraduate research assistants.

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.

- 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

• Undergraduate degree in relevant field (Chemistry, Biochemistry).
• Experience operating analytical chemistry instrumentation including LC-MS/MS and GC-MS.
• Experience in volumetric analytical chemistry techniques (making solutions, pipetting, using balances, creating calibration curves).
• Knowledge of analytical chemistry concepts (external/internal calibration, isotopically labelled standards, recovery calculation).
• Experience implementing written lab protocols.
• Experience keeping a detailed and up to date lab notebook.
• Strong computer literacy including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, and Internet resource use.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Good organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Attentive to detail, with the ability to work quickly and accurately.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.