Forensic Biology Lab Technician

Job title: Forensic Biology Lab Technician

Job description: Date Posted: 07/30/2021
Req ID: 11741
Faculty/Division: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
Department: UTM: Forensic Science Program (Department of Anthropology)
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)

Description:

About us:

The university’s second largest division, U of T Mississauga has 17 academic departments and offers 156 programs in 92 areas of study. Home to approximately 15,000 students and over 1,000 faculty and staff, the campus houses the Mississauga Academy of Medicine, Centre for Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Management and Innovation. With its distinctive interdisciplinary programs such as forensic sciences and biomedical communications, U of T Mississauga offers a broad array of continuing education programs and professional masters programs. Established in 1967, the campus features award-winning architecture, robust community partnerships and a dynamic student environment set amongst 225 acres along the Credit River in Mississauga.

Your opportunity:

University of Toronto Mississauga’s Forensic Science Program is designed to provide students with an understanding of scientific analyses, theories, laboratory skills, and field techniques as these are applied in forensic settings. Programs are offered in the fields of Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, and Forensic Psychology. For more information, see the Forensic Science Program website at http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/forensic/.

The Forensic Biology Laboratory Technician will report to the Department Manager, and will provide technical, teaching, and administrative support to the Forensic Biology-stream courses, faculty, and research labs. The incumbent will be the first point of contact for the lab, ensuring its smooth operation including maintaining equipment and inventory, and following established lab rules, processes and standards when carrying out assigned responsibilities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Performing lab experiments that requires great precision and attention to many details
• Ensuring that the material needs of laboratory exercises and/or courses are available
• Contributing to research findings that are published in academic journals
• Coordinating routine maintenance of lab equipment
• Analyzing lab reports and drafting content for funding applications and research papers
• Providing safety training and ensuring compliance to lab safety procedures and standards
• Ordering supplies within established limits
• Serving as a technical resource on laboratory protocols, and experimental procedures and equipment

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Biology or related field, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum three years in a biology lab or similar environment.
• Experience with serology techniques
• General experience in molecular biology methods and DNA profiling, including DNA extraction and quantitation methods, PCR, SNP genotyping (Real Time PCR and Luminex), STR genotyping using capillary sequencer, and primer design
• Experience with optimization of DNA extraction, DNA quantitation, PCR for SNPs, SNP genotyping, PCR for STRs and STR genotyping, and DNA Electrophoresis
• Experience applying laboratory safety, biosafety, decontamination and protocol procedures
• Experience in providing orientation and demonstrating laboratory procedures and/or equipment, and assisting students with laboratory practicals and research experiments
• Experience in the maintenance of a laboratory and laboratory equipment
• Experience in operating standard laboratory equipment such as centrifuge, thermal cycler, electrophoresis systems, DNA sequencer, spectrophotometers and other related bio lab equipment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), databases, internet search engines
• Good oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to research and assimilate new ideas and methods
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Forensic Biology designation eg. Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) certification
• Prior experience working in a forensic science lab setting would be preferred

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Diligent
• Efficient
• Goal oriented
• Meticulous
• Organized
• Proactive
• Problem solver
• Responsible

Note: This is a part-time position, 50% FTE, approximately 18 hours per week. Pro-rated annual salary is $33,163 with annual step progression to a maximum of $42,409.

Closing Date: 08/16/2021, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget – Continuing
Schedule: Part-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 11 — $66,326 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $84,818. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

Notes: This is a part-time position, 50%FTE, approximately 18 hours per week. Pro-rated annual salary is $33,163 with annual step progression to a maximum of $42,409.

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