Research Technician

at  Western University

CLASSIFICATION & REGULAR HOURS

Hours per Week: 35
Salary Grade: Level O
Please note, this is a 12-month grant-funded role.

ABOUT US

Microbiology & Immunology is a vibrant Department of scholarly activity offering a stimulating and dynamic environment attractive to outstanding students and leading researchers. The Department of Microbiology & Immunology is a core department of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and places a special emphasis on biomedical research and teaching with a focus on human disease, infection, and immunity.
The overall mission of Dr. Troyer’s research is to increase basic knowledge on important human and animal viruses and to advance prevention and treatment of infection.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• 4 year University Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, or a relevant area of focus
• Master’s Degree in Microbiology preferred

Experience:

• 2 years of experience working in an academic research environment in the area of virology
• Experience operating low-pressure, medium-pressure, and LED collimated beam devices for UV-C irradiation of biological samples
• Experience with sterile culture and propagation of adherent, immortalized mammalian cell lines
• Experience planning and conducting cell culture infection experiments with animal and human rotaviruses
• Experience performing immunofluorescent antibody detection of viral proteins in cells and in designing and conducting real-time quantitative PCR for virus quantification
• Experience conducting ultraviolet light irradiation experiments on biological samples is preferred
• Experience testing anti-viral treatments and evaluating their effects by quantifying infectious virus following treatment preferred
• Experience working with human and animal rotaviruses in cell culture is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Familiarity with, and ability to use, operating a radiometer and spectrophotometer and using readings from these devices to calculate UV dose
• Familiarity with culturing, propagating, and titrating animal and human rotaviruses
• Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
• Familiarity with techniques for updating, managing and extracting data from a research database
• Communication skills with an ability to complete detailed analytics and reports
• Verbal and written communication skills with an ability to document technical information
• Ability to apply critical thinking to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions or recommendations
• Attention to detail with an ability to retrieve, analyze and synthesize sizable amounts of data, while ensuring that information is accurate and comprehensive
• Ability to follow formal processes and protocols with high attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
• Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
• Excellent troubleshooting ability along with hands-on expertise in technical support
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite required and with software and applications used to produce and analyze research outcomes (such as Prism, Image-Pro Plus) would be an asset
• Demonstrated ability take initiative, to work independently and follow through on work assignments
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Ability to investigate defined issues, solicit input, and suggest remedies and alternative approaches that meet the needs of the situation
• Ability to identify key results from research and to summarize and draft reports on research findings
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures related to research preferred

The Research Technician will perform and record the results of experiments independently using established protocols, under the direction of a Principal Investigator, assisting them to achieve their research outcome to determine the susceptibility of waterborne rotavirus to killing by ultraviolet light at a wide range of different wavelengths and quantify levels of rotavirus present in the municipal wastewater system of London, Ontario. The role will assist the PI with the development of research and project plans, and will design, build, and run experiments including conducting rotavirus-inactivation assays using low-pressure, medium-pressure, and LED collimated beam devices to deliver ultraviolet light to waterborne rotavirus samples, and measuring rotavirus inactivation by determining the 50% tissue culture infectious dose with detection by immunofluorescent antibody staining. The role will participate in the analysis and presentation of results for dissemination including quantifying rotavirus RNA present in municipal wastewater by qPCR to understand how COVID-19 restrictions may have impacted rotavirus transmission in the community. The Research Technician will assist with the preparation of reports and other written material for presentations to the Principal Investigator and other stakeholders as required. The role will work in collaboration to support the effective operation of the laboratory, provide support to students and trainees, and ensure safety standards are met.