Technical /Research Support II

at  Western University

ABOUT WESTERN

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses.

ABOUT US

The Department of Biology is the largest academic unit within the Faculty of Science. Throughout the academic year, the Department provides courses to over 10,500 students annually, has approximately 1400 majors and an average graduate enrollment of 140 - 160 students. The major foci within the department is namely scientific research, graduate, undergraduate and public education. The Department seeks to find a better working balance between the development and strengthening of its research enterprise and the maintenance of its strong undergraduate program seeking to enhance and strengthen its graduate program and make meaningful contributions to existing and future collaborative programs that fall within its sphere of influence and interest. The Department is housed in six main buildings (B&GS, WSC, Collip, NCB, AFAR, and Biotron).
For more information please visit http://www.westernu.ca/biology

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree or Master’s Degree in either cell and molecular biology or neuroscience-related field

Experience:

• 2 years’ practical experience supporting research projects incorporating animal handling, mouse colony maintenance, animal learning and memory tasks, and biochemical and pathological analysis of brain tissues

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Ability to set up breeding of transgenic mouse stains, perform genotyping, and accurately documenting and tracking mouse inventory
• Familiarity with behavioral assays including the Morris Water Maze and Novel Object Recognition
• Experience with immunofluorescent staining of brain tissues and image analysis
• Familiarity with western blotting
• Familiarity with University research, safety, and animal care policies and practices preferred
• Familiarity with experimental design and analysis
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical information
• Attention to detail with an ability to retrieve, analyze and synthesize data, while ensuring that information is accurate and comprehensive
• Ability to follow processes with high attention to detail
• Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to 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 collect and analyze data in an objective manner
• Multi-tasking skills to prioritize and consistently produce high-quality work within deadlines
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goal

The Technical/Research Support 2 will work in collaboration with principal investigator, staff, and students, and have responsibilities for conducting experiments and presenting the results. The incumbent will oversee students, assist with laboratory and mouse colony maintenance, order supplies, and ensure safety and animal care standards are met. The incumbent will set up and conduct experiments according to standard laboratory procedures, maintain records, and analyze, summarize and compile data and results for dissemination.
Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree or Master’s Degree in either cell and molecular biology or neuroscience-related fields

Experience:

• 2 years’ practical experience supporting research projects incorporating animal handling, mouse colony maintenance, animal learning and memory tasks, and biochemical and pathological analysis of brain tissues.

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Ability to set up breeding of transgenic mouse stains, perform genotyping, and accurately documenting and tracking mouse inventory
• Familiarity with behavioral assays including the Morris Water Maze and Novel Object Recognition
• Experience with immunofluorescent staining of brain tissues and image analysis
• Familiarity with western blotting
• Familiarity with University research, safety, and animal care policies and practices preferred
• Familiarity with experimental design and analysis
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical information
• Attention to detail with an ability to retrieve, analyze and synthesize data, while ensuring that information is accurate and comprehensive
• Ability to follow processes with high attention to detail
• Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to 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 collect and analyze data in an objective manner
• Multi-tasking skills to prioritize and consistently produce high-quality work within deadlines
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals