Department of Human Resources
OPSEU Job Description
Job Title:
Job Number:
NOC:
Band:
Department:
Supervisor Title:
Electron Microscopy/Cell Biology Technician/Demonstrator
SS-045
4012
9
Biology
Chair, Biology
Last Reviewed:
September 27th, 2011
Job Purpose
Assist in the delivery of academic services in the Biology Department by providing primary
technical support for laboratories in multiple undergraduate courses; preparing laboratory
manuals, assignments, and handouts; teaching undergraduate students; and supervising and
coordinating Teaching Assistants. Provide teaching, instruction and demonstration of all
laboratory techniques and equipment involved in the preparation of samples for light
microscopy (LM), confocal microscopy, fluorescent microscopy and transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) as needed for undergraduate courses. Maintain all equipment within the
Imaging Suite and co-ordinate its use, repairs, and updates.
Key Activities
1. Provides primary technical support for selected Biology undergraduate labs, as
designated by Chair of Biology. Meets with course instructors before courses
begin to agree upon contributions that will be made to each course.
2. Responsible for preparation, organization, set-up and tear down for
laboratories in Biology undergraduate courses that may include, but are not
necessarily limited to, BIOL 1050H (Human Anatomy), 1050H (Human
Physiology), 2050H (Genetics), 2070H (Cell Biology), 3040H (Histology), 3830H
(Animal Physiology I), and 3840H (Animal Physiology II).
3. Instruct students in the laboratory components of Biology undergraduate
courses that may include, but are not necessarily limited to, BIOL 1050H
(Human Anatomy), 1050H (Human Physiology), 2050H (Genetics), 2070H (Cell
Biology), 3040H (Histology), 3830H (Animal Physiology I), and 3840H (Animal
Physiology II).
4. Coordinates equipment and laboratory consumables transfer between
Peterborough and Oshawa for undergraduate teaching laboratories.
5. Works with instructors to coordinate and ensure consistency in the laboratorybased learning outcomes in the different versions of BIOL 1050H and BIOL
1051H (Peterborough, Oshawa, classroom, and online).
Job Number: SS-045
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6. Cleans and repair microscopes as necessary.
7. Prepares solutions, supplies, analytical equipment, and computer equipment
for designated undergraduate courses.
8. Oversees implementation of Health and Safety regulations in designated
laboratory and field courses.
9. Evaluates undergraduate students as required on the basis of written work, lab
reports, tests, essays, exams and oral presentations, experiments,
methodology, lab manuals, handouts and assignments. Maintains records of
assignment submissions and grades, allocates marking as needed, assists with
grading issues.
10. Invigilates tests and exams
11. Instruct undergraduate students, when relevant to course curricula, in all
components of sample preparation and use of auxiliary equipment necessary in
LM, confocal, fluorescent, and TEM.
12. Train Graduate Teaching Assistants and Academic Assistants, as appropriate, in
their laboratory instruction and marking duties in assigned courses.
13. Order via the biology department budget manager, regulate, store, dispose and
make-up all chemicals used in assigned courses, following the protocols for
each lab. Maintain an accurate log book for the use of 95% and 100% Ethanol in
the Imaging Suite.
14. In consultation with Space and Equipment Committee, maintain, troubleshoot,
repair and purchase all equipment contained in the Imaging Suite to ensure
Biology students, can perform their work safely , accurately and within a timely
fashion.
15. Co-ordinate rental and daily use of all equipment within the Imaging Suite by
providing weekly sign-up sheets on all microscopy equipment. Work with the
Departmental Space and Equipment Committee to develop policies for allowing
members of the University to access the equipment and facilities. Provide
training for researchers using Imaging Suite as needed.
16. Manage all billable services that are incurred by faculty and students within the
Imaging Suite by keeping accurate records on all consumable products (i.e.
photographical supplies, microscopy consumables, computer specialty papers
as well as technician time, lab manuals, filament time on the transmission
electron microscope).
17. Ensure that all chemicals in the imaging suite and in assigned courses are
handled following the regulations set forth by the University, WHMIS, and
ACEB. Instruct all students in the safety precautions for specific labs and to
show them the location of all supplies required to successfully execute the lab.
Possess a Departmental key to the Hazardous Waste Drop-off which is given out
to undergraduates, graduates and lab managers to allow for safe disposal of
hazardous chemicals, and ensure chemicals being dropped off are properly
contained and labeled according to University Policy.
18. Contributes to Blackboard course sites for designated courses, including
uploading course content as appropriate, and monitoring discussions.
19. Works with Biology Undergraduate Society to advise and assist with activities
and promotions.
20. Coordinates access and availability of Biology teaching labs and related rooms
and equipment for uses that are not scheduled for courses by RO.
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21. Participates in any internal or external committees or trainings as mutually
agreed upon by the Chair of the Biology Department.
22. Participates in outreach and liaison efforts in the department.
Analytical Reasoning
Indicate degree of complexity or difficulty of thinking and reasoning required by the job. Provide a
relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an occasional duty).
Decision Making
Indicate the degree of freedom to exercise initiative or act independently in making day- to-day decisions.
Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an
occasional duty).
Impact
Indicate the impact or consequence to the department or University of typical actions or decisions taken by
the job incumbent. Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job
(i.e. not an occasional duty).
Education
MSc in Biology or related discipline. Knowledge and training in Standard First Aid,
(WHIMIS) Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, (TDG) Transportation of
Dangerous Goods, (AECB) Atomic Energy Control Board.
Experience Required
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The equivalent of two years as a laboratory technician or demonstrator..
Valid First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain one.
Proficient in the use of computer applications such as intermediate level word
processing (MS Word) and spreadsheets (Excel) and inventory tracking.
Experience working with imaging suite equipment
Demonstrated skills in, and commitment to, customer service and continuous
improvement
Responsibility for the Work of Others
Indirect Responsibility for the Work of Others:
 Graduate Teaching Assistants and Academic Assistants for the above courses
 Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Ontario Work Study Program Student
Fourth year thesis students using equipment in Imaging Suite
 Peterborough High School Co-op students, Peterborough Regional Science Fair
Students
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Communication
Internal:
 Faculty, (full time, sessional and stipends)to consult and collaborate with them on the
curriculum for Histology, Electron Microscopy, Anatomy and Physiology and Cell Biology
 Faculty, honours students and graduate students, consult and direct on research
projects and Thesis
 Students of BIO 1050H, 1051H, 2070H, 3040H, 3070H, 3830H and 3840H instruct
students in tutorials, demonstrations and critique their skills, provide them with safety
precautions for labs
 Faculty, to consult with them on the curriculum for BIO on above courses
 Faculty, staff, students, to make arrangements for loan of equipment
 Chair and Faculty, to get approval for outside repairs or to purchase equipment,
departmental timetabling
 Biology Budget Manager, to place orders for equipment and chemicals to meet the
needs departmental courses
 Electron Microscopy Faculty co-ordinator, to keep him updated on student progress and
state of equipment
External:
 Elementary and Secondary School Teachers, to arrange class tours of the facilities
involving demonstrations and instruction
 General Public, tours of the facilities, open house, March Break, science camp, school
tours, Peterborough Regional Science Fair, Canada Wide Science Fair
 Electron microscopy servicemen, to seek expertise in repair of the equipment
 Many companies, to bid on equipment, get specifications and advice
 Companies to purchase equipment
Motor/ Sensory Skills
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Fine motor skills, dexterity - Trimming samples with a razor blade under a microscope,
pouring gels, making knives for sectioning, sectioning samples for microscopy, taking
photographs at microscopy level, centering filament of electron microscope
Gross motor skills, dexterity, equilibrium - Fixing electron microscopes, moving large
vacuum pumps, moving equipment between labs for lab set-ups
Hearing - Distinction between sounds that machines make daily i.e. working conditions
Smell - Distinction of chemicals in lab for safe handling i.e. fume hood performance
Touch - Picking up samples, working on machines need to be delicate
Touch, visual - Computer work
Visual, sensory distinct - Fine Distinction required to differentiate between colours when
performing ultramicrotory photography
Effort
Mental:
Job Number: SS-045
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Sustained attention, concentration - Required for sectioning of samples by the ultramicrotome and histology microtome, keyboarding
Sustained concentration - Repairing equipment, reading equipment schematics
Sustained focus - When giving students tutorials, reading articles, writing manuals
Physical:
 Walking, bending, lifting, carrying, kneeling, pushing, pulling - Physical effort required in
repair and maintenance of equipment and setting up labs, making solutions
 Sitting, keyboarding - Physical effort required in computer work, web page, manuals,
emails.
Working Conditions
Indicate any physical and psychological conditions of the position that make the job unpleasant,
disagreeable and/or hazardous to health and well-being. Describe the nature, frequency and duration of
exposure.
Physical:
 Temperature - Operating SEM when TEM is running, room becomes very hot
 Fumes - Performing routine fixations leads to exposure to dangerous toxic and
carcinogenic fumes
 Lack of ventilation - Performing photographic development leads to exposure of
dangerous fumes, air becomes stagnant i.e. little ventilation
 Dust - Continual exposure to dust and fumes (outside), potential exposure to chemical
particulates while making chemicals for labs
Psychological:
 Lack of privacy
 Conflicting work priorities - Conflicting work priorities and time pressures
 Frustrated people - Required to respond to frustrated students while guiding them in
procedures of microscopy
Job Description Approved by Human Resources (as per Article 17.1):
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Signatures - indicating that the job description has been read and understood:
Incumbent
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Immediate Supervisor:
Name (print):
Job Number: SS-045
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Last updated: October 14, 2014
Signature:
Date:
Department Head/ Dean:
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Job Number: SS-045
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Last updated: October 14, 2014