Lab Manager

Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Title
Lab Manager

Department
Van Petegem Laboratory Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Medicine

Posting End Date
October 31, 2022

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

Job End Date
Oct 31, 2023

Job Summary
The Dr. Filip Van Petegem Laboratory, in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of British Columbia is looking for a Research Assistant/Technician 4 to join the team as Lab Manager.  The successful candidate will be involved in both lab management and protein production & characterization. Research Assistants/Technicians are appointed annually but once they pass their probationary period, the expectation is that they will be reappointed annually on a recurring basis.
Organizational Status
The Research Assistant will report directly to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Filip Van Petegem.
Work Performed

• Maintains the lab by taking care of inventory and ordering and overseeing all day-to-day operations of the laboratory. Negotiates pricing with vendors including supplies and equipment. Interfaces with Departmental administrative staff for credit card reconciliations and financial reporting
• Develops, executes, oversees, improves, and documents the safety protocols and general lab protocols that are in place; takes corrective actions and decisions proactively, and ensures that all lab personnel are adhering to the safety, cleanliness and general lab rules. Ensures that all lab members are trained on safety and general lab protocols.
• Develops and troubleshoots operating procedures and makes recommendation on workflow improvements.
• Maintains, operates and troubleshoots all lab equipment and areas, including incubators, freezers, FPLC systems, and computers.
• Supervises, schedules, trains, and instructs lab members for the use of specialized techniques and equipment and may make recommendations with respect to hiring and providing input into staff performance.
• Communicates lab information, updates, and events to all lab members in a timely fashion.
• Directly trains and supervises junior technicians and undergraduate research assistants.
• Writes reports and assists in writing safety protocols and research manuscripts
• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Research Involves:

1.Growing large-scale mammalian cell lines and cultures of E.coli for protein production.

2. Extraction and purification of membrane and soluble proteins from native animal tissues, mammalian cell cultures, and heterologous E.coli expressions using affinity purification and FPLC methods. 3. Quality control of the purified proteins

4. Performs functional experiments on the purified proteins

5. Prepares grids for electron microscopy imaging and performs protein crystallization using in-house robotics.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Exercises a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods, and coordinating the work of the unit and the team members. Failure to maintain a high standard of work with consistent communication between team members and the supervisors will result in delays and lower quality of research output, which may impact the working conditions and the reputation for the research group and UBC.
 

Supervision Received

Works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure.
Supervision Given

May have supervisory responsibilities for a small group of employees at lower classifications and may have input into staff selection and performance evaluation. This may include junior technicians and undergraduate research assistants.
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.
Preferred Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry (or a related life sciences discipline) or a M.Sc. degree in Biochemistry (or a related life sciences discipline) with lab experience after completion of the MSc degree.
• A proven track record of success through peer-reviewed publications.
• 2 years or more of experience with protein production and purification using FPLC systems (this can be as part of the PhD or MSc degree).
• A thorough knowledge of the various chromatography methods used for protein purification.
• A thorough knowledge of basic molecular biology and cloning methods.
• Ability to work independently and with lab members as a dedicated team-player.
• Highly effective communication (verbal and oral) and team management skills.
• High degree of motivation, organization, and initiative.
• Experience with production and purification of membrane proteins.
• Experience with mammalian cell cultures.
• Experience in a structural biology discipline (protein NMR, X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy).
• Experience with management of a research laboratory