Laboratory Technician

Hours per Week: 37.5

Salary Grade: Level N

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

The mission of the Department of Biology is to “foster scientific discovery through research and advancement of the understanding, critical evaluation, and application of biological concepts”.

The Laboratory Teaching Technician support team is responsible for providing the Department of Biology with strong, efficient and innovative approaches to the laboratory course requirements of the unit. We provide support for a diverse group within the department, including Faculty, graduate and undergraduate students. We provide expertise in diverse laboratory teaching environments, with ever-changing and competing demands.

The Laboratory Technician provides technical support for two large undergraduate laboratory courses in first (primary) and second year in the Department of Biology. The role works in a team with other technical staff sharing day-to-day tasks, including assisting with laboratory preparation and organization, ensuring the timely availability of materials and resources related to the laboratory, and ordering supplies using pre-established guidelines. The Laboratory Technician will operate and set-up laboratory equipment, apparatuses and instrumentation for use in courses, and will clean up after the laboratory session is complete. The role will also assist with providing training and oversight to students and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.

Education:

• 4 year University Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a specialization in microbiology, genetics, and/or molecular cell biology

Experience:

• 1 year of hands-on job experience working in a laboratory environment in the areas of microbiology, genetics, and molecular cell biology
• 1 year of technical hands-on job experience working directly in a technical support role in an undergraduate biological science teaching laboratory

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent ability to work independently or as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts and techniques
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, setup, and deploy undergraduate teaching labs or exam related materials in large volumes following schedule and instructions
• Demonstrated ability to perform large volume lab set up within a very tight schedule and in high-paced peak demand time during academic terms
• Excellent organization, communication, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate procedural documentation
• Excellent multitasking skills and ability to meet multiple competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to take initiative to troubleshoot and resolve lab preparation, set-up, and clean-up issues with an ability to seek support in complex situations
• Strong judgement, analytical, and problem-solving skills in order to identify point of error during laboratory preparation
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the laboratory’s events and activities (e.g. late evening, weekend, and sometime holidays to accommodate lab course preparation and set up)
• Familiarity with common laboratory safety practices, safe chemical handling, WHMIS, MSDS, and hazardous waste procedures
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, climb step stool, lift, and retrieve items weighing up to 20 kg using proper ergonomic procedures and related equipment
• Attention to detail and proofreading abilities with an excellent command of the English language
• Intermediate computer skills with Microsoft Office suite

Western welcomes applications from all qualified individuals; however, it is the university’s policy to give first consideration to all qualified UWOSA applicants.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwo.ca or phone 519-661-2194.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.