Description
The Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Senior Research Technician. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
This position reports to the Principal Investigator.
The Senior Research Technician will provide technical expertise and operational support. The incumbent will perform experiments, manage transgenic mouse colonies, support compliance activities (including adherence to Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines and Animal Use Protocol development, institutional policies, and occupational health and safety requirements.), manage general laboratory activities, and mentor laboratory personnel.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Surgical Procedures and Animal Research:
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Perform advanced rodent surgical procedures including stereotaxic surgery, intracranial injections, craniotomy, in utero and postnatal electroporation using established protocols and strict aseptic technique
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Administer anesthesia, provide perioperative monitoring, and conduct post-operative care in accordance with approved protocols
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Perform perfusion, tissue collection, and processing for downstream molecular and histological analyses
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Conduct behavioral testing
Transgenic Colony Management:
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Breed and maintain transgenic and genetically modified mouse colonies, including weaning, ear punching, tail biopsy collection, and genotyping sample preparation
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Maintain accurate and up-to-date colony records and coordinate animal resource requirements with investigators and animal care personnel
Cell Biology, Tissue Culture, and Molecular Biology:
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Perform human cell culture, including maintenance of ES/iPSC lines and organoid systems
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Establish and maintain primary mouse cell cultures
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Carry out standard molecular and cellular biology techniques, including bacterial plasmid preps, DNA/RNA extraction, ddPCR/qPCR, immunostaining, and western blotting
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Assist with protocol optimization, troubleshooting, and documentation of experimental procedures
Regulatory Compliance and Animal Use Protocols:
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Prepare, review, amend, and submit Animal Use Protocols (AUPs) in accordance with CCAC guidelines and institutional requirements
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Support inspections, compliance audits, and laboratory safety reviews
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Maintain chemical inventories and safety documentation using Chematix
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Develop and maintain standard operating procedures
Laboratory Operations and Financial Administration:
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Manage day-to-day laboratory operations including purchasing, inventory, and equipment maintenance
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Process procurement and financial transactions using PeopleSoft
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Coordinate ordering of reagents, consumables, and equipment across multiple concurrent research projects
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Maintain accurate records for regulatory, financial, and operational purposes
Training and Mentorship:
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Provide hands-on training and mentorship to students, trainees, and laboratory personnel in surgical techniques and animal handling
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Support onboarding of new lab members and promote adherence to approved protocols and laboratory SOPs
Qualifications / Requirements:
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Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences or related discipline, required
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Master of Science in a relevant field or Diploma in Veterinary Technology/Animal Health Technology with current RVT designation, preferred
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Minimum 5 years of experience supporting laboratory animal research involving mouse models, including Animal Use Protocol development, amendment, and regulatory compliance
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Demonstrated expertise in rodent anesthesia and surgery
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Experience with transgenic and genetically modified mouse colony management
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Experience with mammalian cell culture
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Experience with standard molecular and cellular biology techniques including ddPCR/qPCR, immunostaining, Western blotting, and DNA/RNA extraction
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Experience with laboratory purchasing, inventory management, and financial administration, preferably using PeopleSoft
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Advanced technical proficiency in rodent surgical procedures and perioperative care
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Demonstrated knowledge of CCAC guidelines and laboratory animal welfare principles
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Proficiency in mouse colony management
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Working knowledge of cell and molecular biology techniques
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Experience with cloning is an asset
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Experience with bioinformatics (R, python) is an asset
Application Deadline: July 22, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
