Job Description

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title

Auxiliary ADaPT Technician

Department

Research | Speller | Department of Anthropology

Compensation Range

$28.90 - $31.63 CAD Hourly

Posting End Date

September 25, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

August 30, 2027

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The primary responsibility of the Ancient DNA and Proteins Technology (ADαPT) Technician (CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician Level 2) is to provide day-to-day technical support for ADαPT laboratories, and equipment. This position requires safe chemical handling knowledge gained through experience working in a chemical or molecular lab. The incumbent must adhere to protocols provided to ADαPT by First Nation partners. The incumbent takes direction from the ADαPT Director (Camilla Speller) and plans and performs tasks relating to lab and equipment maintenance in the ADαPT Facility laboratories, including the Zoorchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) Lab, post-PCR Genetics Lab (EOS), and Ancient DNA (aDNA) Clean Lab. Regular tasks include operation, maintenance and calibration of laboratory and field equipment, and inventory and ordering support utilizing varied procedures. Tasks are assigned and discussed regularly with the ADαPT Director, however, the incumbent plans and schedules their own work. The incumbent requires good organizational skills to coordinate and complete assigned projects whether working alone or with a team. The work demands planning the sequence of duties and methods in consultation with the ADΑPT Director. The ADαPT Technician must exercise judgement based on a thorough knowledge of guidelines, procedures, and regulations in making decisions.

Organizational Status

Relevant to tasks, the ADαPT Technician reports to the ADαPT Director. Work is supervised by the ADαPT Director and is reviewed in terms of achievement of general and specific goals. The ADΑPT Technician performs most duties independently or with student assistants working under their supervision.

Work Performed

The technician would be responsible for operating and maintaining laboratory and other equipment in ADαPT laboratory facilities in the Anthropology and Sociology building (ANSO), Museum of Anthropology (MOA), and Earth and Ocean Sciences building (EOS), and ensuring that laboratory safety procedures are up to date and that appropriate safety training is undertaken by users. The laboratory facilities include the full suite of ADαPT research laboratories in ANSO and MOA, including the Ancient DNA Clean Lab, the Zoorachaeology by Mass Spectrometry Lab, and the post-PCR Genetics Lab.

Typical Duties

This position involves operation, maintenance, and calibration of ADαPT laboratory equipment, and supplies receiving when required. The Technician:

• Works effectively with ADαPT team to accomplish goals.
• Participates in the overall maintenance of the ADαPT laboratories and equipment, including setting up, testing, operating and maintaining teaching and research laboratory and other equipment (e.g., PCR and qPCR amplifiers, electrophoresis gel docks, microscopes, balances, biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, etc.)
• Provides training to undergraduate students and Work Learn students in the use of specialized equipment, techniques and procedures.
• Presents equipment and maintenance updates at weekly ADαPT staff meetings and participates in laboratory meetings as needed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors in the laboratory would result in the loss or contamination of samples, the vast majority of which have been collected from archaeological sites and are of high cultural value and irreplaceable. Errors can result in safety hazards, as well as result in loss of time and will create delays in the busy operations of the facility. Errors could have financial, legal, ethical, and other consequences for the Laboratory of Archaeology and UBC and could damage relationships with the provincial government, First Nation communities, the academic community, and the general public.

Supervision Received

Works under supervision of the ADαPT Director, alongside other principal investigators in LOA. Receives detailed instructions on the assignment of new duties and thereafter only on new or unusual problems.

Supervision Given

May train Work Learn students or ADαPT volunteers at lower classifications to operate laboratory equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

-Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in biomolecular archaeology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry or geochemistry, both at the sample preparation and analyses level; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with quality control procedures for biomolecular or chemical analyses, experience at a facility with personal computers as an analytical tool (spreadsheets, data reduction software, etc.), and familiarity with computer control of instrumentation.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple deadlines and schedule tasks to meet departmental and project requirements.
• The ability to exercise judgement, discretion, and confidentiality is essential.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work both independently and in a team environment, effective interpersonal oral and written communications, and the ability to organize and supervise lower classification workers and work teams of undergraduate student and volunteer workers.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Awareness and sensitivity to issues concerning collections originating from these communities is required.