Histopathology Lab Technician

Date Posted: 10/13/2022
Req ID: 27862
Faculty/Division: Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Department: Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00053072

Description:

About us:
Home to over 40 departments and institutes, the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine lies at the heart of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network and is a global leader in ground-breaking research and education, spanning clinical medicine, basic science and the rehabilitation sciences sectors.

Your opportunity:
The Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease is leading groundbreaking research to understand neurodegenerative diseases at the molecular level. Our challenge is to change the course of these diseases – to prevent, eliminate, and ultimately repair the damage they cause. There is currently no cure, but there is hope and there is progress. Together, our scientists have an unparalleled track record of success, and we are confident that a day when far fewer people will suffer from devastating brain diseases is within our grasp.

As a Histopathology Laboratory Technician, you will be part of a dynamic working within a fast-paced research centre focused on using state-of-the art laboratory methods. As an integral member of the team, you will support the Kovacs lab, focusing on research of human neurodegenerative diseaseusing immunohistochemical and histochemical and RNA tissue detection techniques and seeding assays as applied to the human central nervous system complemented by cell culture studies. Relying on your sharp technical and organizational skills, you will conduct collaborative research and coordinate the purchasing and maintenance of supplies.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Performing experiments to search for the right antibodies, the proper secondaries to be used and mounting a protocol that includes the right antigen retrieval and troubleshooting until optimal staining is obtained.
• Performing Histological processing of tissue, sectioning, staining and immunohistochemistry using automated immunostainer equipment
• Collecting experimental data, verifying results and passing on findings
• Troubleshooting routine equipment repairs
• Providing detailed explanations and demonstrating procedures to students/employees on lab techniques, experimental procedures and protocols (i.e., cryostat or microtome)
• Ordering and maintaining supplies
• Serving as a technical resource on laboratory protocols, and experimental procedures and equipment

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum two years relevant experience in research and/or clinical laboratory setting
• Experience performing histopathology and immunohistochemistry technique processing of tissue, sectioning, staining focusing on human brain tissue
• Experience with tissue processing, sectioning, immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques and RNA tissue detection methods as applied to the human central nervous system
• Experience with seeding assays (RT-QuiC)
• Demonstrated experience interpreting experimental results, trouble-shooting experiments, and managing conflicting priorities and deadlines
• Experience with lab purchasing, liaising with vendors, maintaining equipment, tracking and maintaining inventory and promoting safety compliance
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office Suite, and both Windows and Macintosh operating systems
• Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to exercise initiative and deal effectively with other lab members including experience demonstrating general laboratory procedures to others
• Must be familiar with basic safe handling of laboratory equipment and chemicals at Biohazard level 2

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Communicator
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Resourceful

This is for a two (2) year term. 

Closing Date: 10/21/2022, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Grant – Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 09 — $60,006 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $76,739. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Engineering / Technical

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.