Description
The Department of Production Animal Health in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for a Research Assistant,. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
Reporting to the Principal Investigator.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Performs research experiments under the direction of the PI, following established protocols and university guidelines
- Ensures compliance with safety standards, including proper disposal of chemical and infectious waste, routine lab maintenance, and the safe operation of laboratory equipment
- Reports malfunctioning equipment or low laboratory supplies to the Lab Manager or PI and initiates necessary repairs or orders
- Conducts general maintenance of lab instruments and helps ensure that the laboratory remains clean, functional, and compliant with biosafety standards
- Supports graduate students and other lab members by providing guidance on experimental procedures and laboratory practices
- Interacts respectfully and professionally with faculty, students, staff, and other facility users when offering technical assistance
- Advises the PI of any incidents or occupational illness in accordance with University of Calgary Safety and Security protocols
- Participates actively in weekly lab meetings and journal clubs to stay informed and engaged with ongoing research
- Maintains confidentiality at all times, adheres to university safety regulations, and demonstrates flexibility in assisting with additional duties as required
- Identifies issues or procedural challenges and offers recommendations to the PI
- May contribute to additional research projects as time and resources permit
Qualifications / Requirements:
- A Bachelor in biochemistry, neuroscience, or a related field is required
- Previous experience in a wet-lab research environment, such as through summer research or a full-time research assistant role, is an asset particularly with techniques like immunoblotting, qPCR, cell culture, and work involving mouse models
- Familiarity with standard molecular biology techniques, including immunoblot, cell culture, and qPCR, as well as experience working with mouse models, is considered an asset
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, GraphPad, and Illustrator is also advantageous
- Strong organizational and time management skills are essential for success in this role
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required to support interactions with faculty, graduate students, and staff; fluency in English is essential
- The ideal candidate will be able to work independently, demonstrate strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, and show initiative in lab organization and task management
Application Deadline: August 4, 2025
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 1.
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 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.
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 Human Resources ([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.
