Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title

Moraes Lab - Research Assistant Technician 4

Department

Moraes Laboratory | School of Biomedical Engineering | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$5,377.61 - $6,308.19 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

July 22, 2026

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

Job End Date

July 31, 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.

The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a partnership between the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine, established in 2017. The School is a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering, creating new knowledge, new academic and training programs, and fostering translation and innovation. Its vision is to transform health and healthcare for all, achieved through innovative research and education at the convergence of engineering, medicine and biology. Through collaborative, innovative, and interdisciplinary approaches and building on UBC’s academic and research excellence, the School of Biomedical Engineering aspires to be a global leader in biomedical engineering research, education and translation. The SBME has two locations on Vancouver’s campus, the Gordon B Shrum building and the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). For more information about the School of Biomedical Engineering, please visit https://www.bme.ubc.ca/

The Moraes Lab at the School of Biomedical Engineering is seeking a temporary full-time Research Assistant /Technician to join the team for 1 year, in person located at the Gordon B Shrum building. The Research Assistant/Technician will contribute towards the smooth running of multiple projects through design and perform complex experiments, analysis, contribute to reporting, training, and will primarily contribute to the mycelium-based biocomposites project. This project will test whether fungal materials can be used to create absorbent structures with well-defined mechanical properties. The candidate is expected to assist with the work outlined in the the following sections:

Organizational Status
The Research Assistant/Technician will report directly to the Principal Investigator in the Moraes Laboratory.

Work Performed

• Designs, modifies and performs complex experiments in the area of evaluating fungal mycelium biocomposites for industrial and emerging applications that require highly absorbent and fully biodegradable substrates.
• Operates and troubleshoots digital fabrication equipment including developing operating procedures and making recommendations on workflow improvements.
• Operates and troubleshoots mechanical analysis equipment, such as tensile testing, absorbency, and shear rheometry, including developing operating procedures and making recommendations on workflow improvements.
• Analyzes and interprets experiment results by performing tasks including data analysis, and applies established statistical analyses methods via existing software packages. Typical software packages used for this work include packaged environments such as Prism, Excel, and ImageJ.
• Writes reports and assists in writing biosafety permits for mycelium- and blood-related experimental procedures, and assists in writing grant applications for various opportunities during employment.
• Provides instruction and training in the development of fungal mycelium colonization protocols and strategies for various downstream applications.
• May supervise and schedule undergraduate students, graduate students, and staff at lower classification levels, and provides input into staff performance.
• Oversees molecular analysis techniques, including fluorescent staining, microscopy, and plate reader analysis
• Oversees day to day laboratory operations including laboratory organizing, inventory maintenance, including proper storage and preservation of mycelium cultures and sample inventories, and media, and reagents preparation.
• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The successful applicant will exercise a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods and coordinating the work of the unit. Errors made could compromise the results of research projects, and therefore impact the credibility of the Unit, Centre, Institute, and individual Investigator(s).

Supervision Received
Works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedures.

Supervision Given
Will have supervisory responsibilities for a small group of employees at lower classifications levels at lower classification levels; will initiate new employees and trainees into routines, procedures, and the operation of equipment; and may have input into staff selection and performance evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

- 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 working fungal mycelium cultures and safe lab practices in handling these organisms, particularly in a multidisciplinary and multifunctional lab space is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of organization and accuracy, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, along with the ability to work in a team environment and independently.
• Preferring candidates who contribute to a respectful, cooperative, and supportive work environment.
• Ability to use sound judgment and to maintain confidentiality, tact, and discretion.
• Knowledge of Prism, Excel, ImageJ platforms in an asset