Job Posting: 929148
Union: Non-Union
Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Department: Tumor Immunotherapy Program
Reports to: Manager, Immunology Research
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: $21.30 - $26.63 hourly or wording: To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy
Status: Temporary Full-time (1 Year)
Posted Date: February 29, 2024
Closing Date: March 30, 2024
The University Health Network, where “above all else the needs of patients come first”, encompasses Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute of Education. 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 ground breaking 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 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.
Position Summary
We are seeking to identify a qualified candidate to join our immune profiling team within the Tumor Immunotherapy Program (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre)
The Research Technical Assistant utilizes general knowledge and skills to perform routine, somewhat repetitive standardized laboratory research techniques and procedures. The successful candidate will be able to process clinical specimens within standard operating procedure guidelines, compile data from related and/or unrelated sources as well as communicate and maintain records of specimen/experimental data.
Duties
- Processing of patient samples (blood and tissues), antibody titration, flow cytometry, media preparation, tissue culture, data logging as well as general laboratory upkeep and maintenance;
- Prepare specimen collection kits for research studies.
- Receive and collect patient specimens from other UHN sites.
- Process patient specimens (bloods, tissues, fluids) following standard operating procedures.
- Perform basic data entry and maintain specimen inventories.
- Participate in basic quality control procedures.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and monitor consumables.
- Assist team members with pre-analytical workflows (e.g. gathering specimens, checking inventory).
- Transfer specimens to other research teams.
- Ensure that laboratory safety guidelines are followed at all times.
Qualifications
- At minimum, completion of a Community college diploma in a health-related discipline (or equivalent).
- At minimum, three (3) to six (6) months of experience handling biological specimens and in some or all of the following areas: oncology, immunology, cell culture, laboratory work, flow cytometry.
- Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory procedures related to handling, storing and testing of specimens including biological safety.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent organization, good computer skills, ability to learn quickly and work independently.
- Ability to work under pressure with an attention to detail and perform multiple concurrent tasks.
- Outstanding organizational skills with the capacity to ensure proper compliance with research protocols and biological safety measures is mandatory
- Basic math and computational skills are essential to this position.
- Ability to perform duties in a professional and courteous manner and produce high quality work while meeting deadlines in accordance to UHN standards.
- Ability to understand and comply with regulatory issues involving human subjects and clinical trials.
- The nature of this work requires flexibility in working hours and may require working late afternoons and early evenings. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, technically proficient, organized, and will work well in a team.
