B.C. Institute of Technology
BCIT’s Biotechnology Program is hiring for a part-time studies (PTS) laboratory assistant position for a 3-week period between July 11th- July 29th (approximately 7 hours per day for 105 total hours). Under the supervision of the Instructor, the successful candidate will prepare laboratory materials and assist with the instruction of trainees taking a new 2-week practical laboratory course in animal cell culture. Candidates must have experience with culturing, maintaining and manipulating animal cells in a biosafety cabinet using “good aseptic technique” and following biotechnology industry standards. They must be able to follow standard animal cell culture protocols and work efficiently and independently with minimal supervision from the instructor.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The animal cell culture microcredential is a 2-week long, intensive laboratory training course with 45 hours of hands-on (in person) training of 12 trainees over 10 days. The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Growing animal cell lines and preparing cell culture media and other laboratory reagents prior to the start of the microcredential (July 11th – July 15th) under the guidance of the instructor.
- Daily preparation of the required cell lines and laboratory reagents during the 2-week course (July 18th – July 29th).
- Continued maintenance and/or scale-up of animal cell lines over the 3-week period.
- Observing, assisting and providing feedback to trainees while they perform animal cell culture and other laboratory techniques.
- Evaluating trainee competency in animal cell culture during a final practical exam.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A B.Sc. degree, Associate degree, or Diploma in a life sciences field such as Cell Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology or Biochemistry.
- Minimum of 1-year total experience culturing animal cells using good aseptic technique, acquired from recent work in a biotechnology company, medical or research lab or from recent animal cell culture training in an undergraduate program.
- Ability to work independently, efficiently and aseptically in a biosafety cabinet following animal cell culture protocols.
- Ability to do basic laboratory math calculations to prepare stock solutions and diluted aliquots, along with other routine life sciences laboratory tasks.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills in the laboratory, and ability to closely follow written and oral instructions.
- Professional attitude which stresses commitment, collaboration, responsibility for professional growth, open-mindedness and flexibility.
