City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

Job Summary:

Since 2006, the Robert E. Fitzhenry Vector Laboratory at McMaster University has been at the forefront of manufacturing clinical‑grade materials, including master cell banks and viral vectors. Through a landmark $115 million investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), a national consortium comprising McMaster University, the University of Ottawa, and Dalhousie University is advancing the development of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) biomanufacturing facilities across all three sites. At McMaster, this funding will enable the transformation of the Fitzhenry Vector Laboratory into a leading‑edge process development and training hub, complemented by the construction of a new, state‑of‑the‑art GMP biomanufacturing facility.

Reporting to the Facility Manager, the Research Laboratory Technician (II) will be an integral member of the process development team supporting McMaster’s next‑generation biomanufacturing facility. This on‑site role combines hands‑on cell culture and molecular biology techniques with the opportunity to directly impact the optimization of viral vector manufacturing workflows.

The Research Laboratory Technician (II) will be responsible for providing research support to faculty members in their research and teaching laboratory activities. This support includes performing laboratory experiments that are established and relatively standardized and conducting literature searches for use in publications such as journal articles or papers. The successful incumbent will perform a range of assignments under close supervision.

Accountabilities:

• Perform various in-vitro and in-vivo procedures in a specialized area or science that are established and relatively
• standardized.
• Liaise with other laboratories, external departments, and agencies to coordinate resources and schedules to meet
• research objectives.
• Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
• Write a variety of documents such as technical and procedural sections for research reports and standard operating
• procedures.
• Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Log samples and related pertinent information.
• Gather and compile experimental results and assist in the preparation of data for reports and publications.
• Use software to conduct routine statistical analyses.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
• Provide updates at research group meetings.
• Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
• Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
• Ensue adequate supplies are available for experiments.
• Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
• Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
• Prepare chemical reagents and biomedical media according to formulae and assume responsibility for accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions.
• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
• Monitor supplies and order inventories.
• Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
• Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
• Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.
• Conduct literature searches.

Skills and Qualifications:

• 3-year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with the following is also considered an asset:
  • Prior experience working in a GMP-regulated environment / clean room using documented procedures is preferred.
  • Experience with liquid chromatography, tangential flow filtration, strongly preferred.
  • Viral vector manufacturing experience in suspension bioreactor systems preferred.
  • Experience with routine quality control testing, data review, and result verification to support product release and stability studies is considered an asset.
  • Experience accurately documenting experimental data, deviations, and investigations in compliance with GxP requirements is an asset.
  • Familiarity with root cause analysis and CAPA (corrective and preventive action) processes is considered an asset.
  • Biotechnology certificate or BSc in a related life sciences discipline.
  • Proven hands-on experience with cell culture and aseptic technique.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with viruses in compliance with Containment Level 2 (CL2) requirements.
  • Practical experience with molecular and biochemical techniques (e.g. plasmid purification and cloning, PCR, immunostaining, Western blotting, infectious titer assays).
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to follow protocols with a high degree of accuracy and consistency.
  • Excellent written documentation and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience developing and maintaining SOPs, study protocols and study reports.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
  • Demonstrated commitment to safety, biosafety and regulatory compliance.
  • A proactive mindset that embraces continuous improvement in all work activities.