City : Vancouver

Category : Full time

Industry : Educational Services

Employer : University of British Columbia

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 1

Job Title

Research Assistant /Technician 1

Department

Research | King | Department of Zoology | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$4,147.00 - $4,350.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

May 26, 2026

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

Job End Date

October 9, 2026

 

 

 

 

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 technician will be responsible for daily standard animal and microbial culturing, as well as general lab maintenance. Duties will also include contributing to experiments in the lab.

Organizational Status
The Research Assistant/Technician will report directly to the Principal Investigator and the Lab Manager. They will work in collaboration with graduate students, undergraduate students, and postdoctoral fellows on the research project.

Work Performed
Major responsibilities:

-maintenance of animals and microbial pathogens

-preparing experimental equipment as necessary

-monitoring and maintaining a safe working environment

-autoclaving waste, media, and and tips, etc.

-washing glassware

-making media/pouring plates

-assisting post-docs and graduate students during experiments

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work will be routinely checked by the PI and Lab Manager. This individual will be expected to make decisions about appropriate maintenance procedures as well as experimental procedures. Sound judgment is required throughout all activities, particularly with the sensitive nature of working with animals and microbial pathogens. Consequences of inappropriate judgment range from the failure of experimental objectives to harm to the animals.

Supervision Received
The supervisors will be in regular contact with the worker and provide training, assistance and advice as necessary.

Supervision Given
If undergraduate volunteers are recruited to help with animal care and experiments, this individual will be placed in charge of their training.

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation and a minimum one year 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

BSc in Biology preferred. The Research Assistant/Technician must have experience with animal and microbial maintenance and a biology background. Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and sterile techniques is required.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.

Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

Physical ability to perform the duties of the job. (e.g., lifting, standing).

Ability to work using own initiative and prioritize own workload.

Work as part of a team and communicate and collaborate effectively with others.

Possess organizational and time management skills.

Self-motivated and hard working.

Capable of multi-tasking efficiently.