Job Posting # 880924
Position: Research Technician II
Site: Krembil Research Institute
Department: Genetics & Development/Schroeder Arthritis Institute
Reports to: Principal Investigator
Salary Range: $50,382 to $62,990 per annum commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN Compensation Policy
Hours: 35 hours per week
Status: Temporary Full-Time (1 year with the possibility of permanency)
University Health Network (UHN) is looking for an experienced professional to fill the key role of Research Technician II in our Schroeder Arthritis Institute.
Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning.
The University Health Network, where “above all else the needs of patients come first”, encompasses Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the Michener Institute of Education at UHN. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of groundbreaking firsts and a purpose of “Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning”, the University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,600 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.
University Health Network (UHN) is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto and a member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network. The scope of research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. Research across UHN’s seven research institutes spans the full spectrum of diseases and disciplines, including cancer, cardiovascular sciences, transplantation, neural and sensory sciences, musculoskeletal health, rehabilitation sciences, and community and population health. Find out about our purpose, values and principles here.
Working in the Osteoarthritis Program, Division of Orthopedic surgery at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, the Research Technician II will play a key role in the clinical implementation of novel cell therapy protocols. The position will involve clinical and translational research work in the state-of-the-art, GMP facility at UHN. The candidate will have significant skills to perform complex cell manipulation under GMP conditions to generate high quality, clinical grade cells. The work requires a strong background in cGMP processes, cell culture of human primary cells such as mesenchymal stromal cells and human cell lines; knowledge of flow cytometry, and molecular biology techniques including quantitative PCR. Knowledge of or experience working with scalable bioreactor formats (both suspension and adherent formats) will be highly desirable. Development of release assays including potency assays would be a plus. The position also involves familiarity with GMP work environment, FDA/Health Canada regulations, quality assurance and quality control principles.
Qualifications
- At minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in Cellular Biology; Master’s Degree preferred
- At minimum 3 years related experience
- Good Manufacturing Practice experience, including GMP-grade cell isolation, culture and processing, and Master Cell Bank establishment
- Experience in the development of GMP-compliant standard operating procedures and worksheets
- Extensive background in cell culture, including adherent and suspension cell cultures
- Excellent knowledge of flow cytometry, including development of new protocols for cell staining and characterization
- Experience isolating and separating human cells from peripheral blood, bone marrow, umbilical cord, and other tissues would be preferred
- Cell purification using immunomagnetic separation techniques
Basic molecular biology skills, including PCR, ELISA, and blotting
- Genetic manipulation of cells
- Experience working with scalable quantities of cells in different bioreactor formats
- Excellent documentation skills; excellent competency in written and verbal communication
- Self-motivated with strong organizational skills; good problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Previous experience training fellow technical staff
- Experience with statistical software and packages
- Experience with developing potency assays would be highly desirable
- A high degree of motivation, reliability, and independence; strong work ethic
- Must be collaborative and willing to work closely with other members of the research team
- Follows established guidelines, procedures, and standards
If you are interested in making your contribution at UHN, please apply on-line. You will be asked to copy and paste as well as attach your resume and covering letter. You will also be required to complete some initial screening questions.
Posted Date: July 22, 2021 Closing Date: August 5, 2021
For current UHN employees, only those who have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN’s attendance management program, and possess all the required experience and qualifications should apply.
UHN thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, persons with disabilities and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the Bona-fide requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.
