JOB FACT SHEET
POSITION INFORMATION
Position Number: 10162
Current Grade (if applicable): Gr.9
Working Title: Laboratory Technician
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Dept of Medicine
Department ID: Click here to enter text.
Incumbent Name (if applicable): Click here to enter text.
Campus Address: Click here to enter text.
Campus Phone Number: Click here to enter text.
E-Mail Address: Click here to enter text.
Hours of Work/Week: Choose an item.
 Actual Hours Worked (if Part-Time): Click here to enter text.
Name of Supervisor: Click here to enter text.
Title of Supervisor: Click here to enter text.
Supervisor’s Phone Number: Click here to enter text.
Supervisor’s Email Address: Click here to enter text.
Position Type: Choose an item.
 If OTHER, please indicate Position Type: Click here to enter text.
Special Requirements:
Home Internet Access: Choose an item.
Professional Accreditation: Choose an item.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Choose an item.
Second Language: Choose an item.
SIGNATURES: The signatures below indicate that all parties have read and discussed the content of the JFS
EFFECTIVE DATE (if different from date signed): Click here to enter a date.
FINANCIAL AUTHORIZATION:
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INCUMBENT (if applicable):
SUPERVISOR:
DEPARTMENT HEAD/TRUSTHOLDER:
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1. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST REVIEW
NA
2. POSITION SUMMARY
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Acts as a resource person for all members of Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal
Inflammation and Immunity Research (CEGIIR) which includes 6 PIs, and over 24 staff
Performs complex experiments in cell and tissue culture, and in animal models
Supervises and assists postdoctoral fellows/ graduate students and staff with all aspects of
their research
Provides input for evaluations of lab members
Aids in the preparation of grant proposals and manuscripts for publication
Organizes data and prepares scientific manuscripts and presentations
Provides assistance with research protocols, development and streamlining of processes and
procedures
Conducts online literature searches, and maintains laboratory inventories
Maintains equipment and provides instruction in usage
3. RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES: Group activities into categories and list in point form each
duty performed until the major elements of the position are represented. Review each
statement to ensure that it accurately describes what is done and briefly, how it is done.
Please indicate the percentage of time spent on each of the major activities listed
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Supervisory role includes:
o Oversees new students and lab members and aids in the planning of experiments
o Monitors progression of projects to ensure projects are carried out efficiently
o Provides feedback to the primary investigator during employee evaluations
o Keeps principal investigator informed about the needs and problems within the lab in
regards to personnel and equipment
Develops standard operating procedures, experiments, and research protocols so that
experiments can be performed reliably with high levels of reproducibility
Establishes new or adapts existing protocols to meet the needs of the lab to reduce the troubleshooting time
Evaluates and selects major equipment for purchase which involves knowing what the current
needs of the lab are, and where to purchase the Item that will be most cost-effective for the lab
Acts as a resource person for all members of CEGIIR and provides guidance for graduate
students, summer students, and all lab personnel to free the primary investigator from the
encumbrance of the daily operations of the laboratory
Helps In the preparation of manuscripts and presentations (making figures, organizing data,
writing materials and methods)
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Assumes more managerial roles in the extended absence of primary investigator but also keeps
the investigator informed with regularly scheduled reports
Maintains proper levels of expenditure by overseeing the ordering of chemicals, reagents,
equipment and other supplies
Maintains inventory and stocks of cultured cells and oversees the setting up of cells for lab
experiments
Radiation safety: maintains inventory and monitors radioisotopes on a regular basis
WHMIS officer: maintains WHMIS guidelines the lab and files safety reports if necessary
Laboratory stock solutions: prepares buffers and solutions frequently used in the lab
Trains new staff in CEGIIR in techniques and safety procedures
Performs Individual experiments and projects
Maintains bacterial stocks; performs RT-PCR and proteomic analysts
Recognizes and reacts to bio-safety issues In the laboratory/, ensures proper disposal of
hazardous and radioactive materials
Attends and participates in laboratory meetings, and presents specialized, technical information
or research results to internal and external stakeholders
May be involved in additional research projects, as required and when time is available
Maintains confidentiality, adheres to safety regulations, and is flexible in providing assistance in
other areas as required
Interacts with facility users (faculty, students, staff, and others) In a pleasant and respectful
manner when providing assistance
4. KNOWLEDGE: Identify the minimum formalized training/education and/or qualifications
required to prepare an individual to be functional in the position.
Post-secondary education of a Bachelor’s degree or less with up to 18 months to become functional in
the role.
5. INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION: Describe the initiative required, the creativity and original
thought, and also the amount of direction and control received from the supervisor or standard
practices and precedents.
A. What types of decisions are made independently?
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The operations of the lab can be performed independently. The scheduling and organization of
lab work, trouble shooting, general maintenance of the lab Is carried out freeing the primary
investigator from the day-to-day functions of the lab
Aids the primary investigator in determining projects for new students and personnel
Handles execution of the studies and troubleshooting while keeping the primary Investigator
informed
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Develops SOPs or new methods can be carried out independently with a final report presented
verbally or in writing to the primary investigator
Only items >$5000 are discussed with the principal investigator.
Monitoring of tissue culture and bacterial stocks are performed independently of Primary
Investigator
Training of personnel In lab techniques
B. For what actions is it necessary to consult someone? Are approvals or instructions verbal or in
writing?
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Primary Investigator will be informed of any major modifications to set protocols or
experiments, or if any problems arise that may hinder the general functioning of the lab
The primary investigator will be consulted prior to the purchase of large equipment items or
expensive reagents (>$5000)
Design of experiments done with principle Investigator both verbally and In writing
6. CONSEQUENCE OF ERRORS: Identify the extent of losses which result from mistakes in
judgment or poor decisions (typical instances, not rare or extreme ones), and the responsibility
for safety of others.
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Experimental error - time and money lost
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Running out of supplies - delays in experiments
7. CONTACTS: Identify the contacts and the purpose of the interaction.
A. Inside the University
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Staff in Corporate/Faculty Offices
Finance, Human Resources
Radiation safety office
Staff In HSLAS
Purchasing
Research Services Office
B. Outside the University
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Product supplies
Sales representatives
Vendors
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C. Information Sources
Scientific literatures, contacts inside and outside of the university, internet medicine and reference
manuals are used to expand the background knowledge and used to improve the current protocols or
lab techniques.
8. SUPERVISION: If this position is not required to supervise staff, please indicate “n/a”.
A. Describe all aspects of formal supervision required of this position. Please be sure to complete
Part B.
Training of new employees, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, summer students the techniques
and safety of the laboratory. Monitors the progress of experiments and provides input during
evaluation.
B. Please indicate how many staff members are supervised by the position.
Full-time employees: 0
Part-time employees: 0
Casual employees: 0
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Describe the degree, frequency, severity, intensity and continuity of
physical activity and/or intense visual concentration required.
A. Activities
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Computer work
Laboratory bench work
Handling of rodents
B. What types of equipment or tools are used in the job?
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Real-time PCR machine
Typhoon
Gel-doc
Pipettes
Computers
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10. WORKING CONDITIONS: Describe the disagreeable aspects of the job environment in
relation to employee safety and comfort, and the severity and frequency of exposure to
workplace hazards.
• Research laboratory with standard chemicals
• Exposure to human biopsies and blood, rodents, and radioactivity
11. SIMILAR POSITIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA: Please list any position numbers,
titles, departments or incumbent names that may be considered to be similar.
12. ORGANIZATION CHART: An organization chart is mandatory for the evaluation process to
be completed. You may include this as a separate attachment or file may be pasted/
embedded below
Principal
Investigator
Administrator
Technician
Technician
Lab Assistant
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