JOB FACT SHEET
POSITION INFORMATION
Position Number: 14560
Current Grade (if applicable): 8
Working Title: Research Assistant
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Science, Dept of Biological Sciences
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1. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST REVIEW
NA
2. POSITION SUMMARY
Research Assistant - prion protein biochemistry/cell biology/molecular genetics and Monitor of multiuser labs - supervisory and oversight responsibilities
The major activities of this position are to facilitate the daily operations of the Aiken and McKenzie lab
in the Centre for Prion and Protein Folding Diseases (Prion Centre), to facilitate the daily operations in
two "Biosafety Level 2 Enhanced" (BL2+) multi-user containment laboratories, to monitor the activities
of personnel in the enhanced BL2 laboratories and to support and actively participate in
prion/transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agent and ageing studies research activities.
The Aiken/McKenzie laboratory is comprised of a research group with two co-Principal Investigators in
one physical laboratory that currently consists of 3 part-time undergraduate students, 2 graduate
students, 4 full time technicians, and 2 post-doctoral fellows. It is an expanding group and it is expected
that more personnel will be recruited.
Within the Prion Centre, there are two separate multi-user BL2+ laboratories where personnel from
within the Prion Centre, as well as personnel from the greater university community have access to
perform their research in a specialized space with enhanced biosafety procedures. It is anticipated that
up to 5 personnel (with varying backgrounds and experience) would be performing research in each of
these areas at any given time. The two laboratories are: the main BL2+ Lab on the first floor of the Prion
Centre and the Prion Prep Lab in the basement of the Prion Centre. The position will be responsible for
monitoring lab personnel in these two BL2+ labs in their adherence to safety and maintenance
protocols, and recommending disciplinary actions for any non-complying personnel.
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
(50%) Responsible for carrying out and supporting TSE agent and aging research activities:
 Perform all aspects of TSE agent research and ageing research - particularly protein, cell
culture, microbiological and molecular biology techniques Including protein purification, gel
separation and immune detection, nucleic acid and protein amplification, enzyme resistance
analysis, protein denaturation studies, all using good laboratory practices. New techniques
required will be learned through contacts and literature searches. Some of this work will be
performed in a BL2+ lab
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Carry out and record directed research activities, and perform troubleshooting research
Analyze data, improve techniques, communicate recommended changes to techniques, and
plan further experiments in consultation with the PIs and the PDFs
 Resolving problems may require alternatives to standard procedures and techniques, based
on own experience and judgment as well as use of contacts, literature/internet searching
 Assist in the design of experiments, research methods, data collection protocols and
standards
 Experimental design will be based on discussions with supervisors, at lab meetings and
through more informal discussions with lab members and other CPPFD personnel
 Present data, methods, future plans in lab meetings to a working group of approximately 15
people
 Provide technical/lab support and act as a resource for others' laboratory experiments
 Search literature, databases, and catalogue sites to research and support own and others'
research and laboratory operations
 Establish contacts and liaise with other members of the Prion Centre in research ideas,
safety, maintenance, waste disposal
(30%) Responsible for participating in the daily management of the Aiken/McKenzie lab, overseeing
operations and personnel within two BL2+ labs:
 Monitor Aiken/McKenzie lab personnel in lab husbandry protocols
 Assist in the research, sourcing, ordering, receiving of new equipment and supplies for both
the Aiken/McKenzie lab and the BL2+ labs
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?
The position will be responsible for determining the day-to-day progress of the experiments/projects
that are assigned (i.e. prioritizes tasks, chooses techniques to apply to answer research questions,
arranges for necessary supplies and/or equipment to perform experiments, documents methods and
records results, researches issues that might arise and/or consults with colleagues, makes
interpretations for discussion with the PIs, and makes recommendations for next steps). The position
will help plan experiments with the PIs and establish new techniques as required. The position will be
required to make independent decisions based on prior experience and knowledge to attain specific
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research goals, and to help maintain daily laboratory operations. This could include, but would not be
limited to:
 Identify potential experimental problems and conduct research to determine a viable solution
and discuss results with PIs
 Order and maintain stock of consumables in Aiken/McKenzie lab and in BL2+ labs
 Use general knowledge and experience to determine best practices for equipment maintenance
 Allocate resources (biohazard hoods) and space within the BL2+ labs
 Take immediate action when witnessing biosafety non-compliance in the BL2+ labs, and report
to the Prion Centre Biosafety Research Manager and, if necessary, to the Prion Centre Facility
Use Committee
B. For what actions is it necessary to consult someone? Are approvals or instructions verbal or in
writing?
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Verbal approval to embark upon a new project, or a complete change in direction of current
projects Approvals and instructions are verbal with the expectation that the employee will make
written notes that will serve as the basis for the assigned work
Verbal approval for contact with internal and external agencies
Verbal approval for modifying laboratory to improve safety/operations
Verbal reporting to PIs of any major deviations from established protocols
Written reporting to the Prion Centre Biosafety Research Manager and the Prion Centre Facility
Use Committee of biosafety infractions witnessed in theBL2+ labs
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.
Minor errors would be calculation errors, omission of reagents, confusion of order in complex
procedures which would result in lost materials and research funds, lost time, follow up research could
be misdirected.
Failure to adhere to operating SOPs and/or manufacturers', guidelines may result in extensive
equipment damage and/or human injury. Common/typical errors could occur with negative impact to
human health, infrastructure and related secondary impact (e.g., negative press for University of
Alberta, time off work, WCB claims, unable to meet project deliverables etc.).
Inside the BL2+ labs, a spill of TSE agent may cause health risks to those in the lab. The risk of infection is
exceedingly low, but as TSE infections are fatal incurable diseases, exposure could be highly stressful.
Incomplete disinfection of TSE agent liquid and/or solid waste would impact the Prion Centre's and the
University's reputations. Failure to maintain the required elements and biosafety standards would be
detrimental to programs that involve the use of BL2+ risk agents.
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Decisions/opinions could result in waste of consumables; delays in realizing results, lost time due to
repeat experiments and lost revenue intended for maintenance and replacement of equipment; and,
missed deadlines. Loss or improper storage of irretrievable TSE samples would negatively impact the
research group's activities, publications, finances and grant renewals.
7. CONTACTS: Identify the contacts and the purpose of the interaction.
A. Inside the University
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B.
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Prion Centre members (five different labs/research groups) - to provide and receive
recommendations on research study design, updates on projects, safety protocols,
maintenance, husbandry, materials and supplies, administration
Director of the Prion Centre (Dr Westaway), Prion Centre BioSafety Research Manager and the
Prion Centre Facility Use Committee
Other University of Alberta researchers/technicians/professors, including collaborators (Dr.
Neumann, Dr Belosovic) and members of PrioNet, APRI
Biological Sciences Administration - to coordinate personnel needs, including human resources
Environmental Health and Safety Biosafety Officer and/or their representatives - to participate
in training, provide inventory and required reports, oversee recommended changes in biosafety
protocols
Outside the University
Occasional use of contacts from former positions - within Alberta government, academia,
industry
Chemical supply companies
Members of PrioNet, APRI
C. Information Sources
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Laboratory, Prion Centre and University SOPs/policies/procedures/biosafety manuals
Equipment operator manuals, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
PIs, Postdoctoral Fellows, Prion Centre Biosafety Research Manager, Prion Centre Facility Use
Committee, BioSci Administration
Internet and library literature and database searches, scientific supply catalogues and support
services
Contacts as above
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.
NA
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B. Please indicate how many staff members are supervised by the position.
Full-time employees: NA
Part-time employees: NA
Casual employees: NA
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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Computers are used to operate some equipment, analyze data, prepare reports, present data,
administrative tasks, managerial tasks, technical writing and reviewing, updating inventories,
communications, scheduling, etc. (20% to 50% of the time)
Significant time standing or sitting at the lab bench or at the biohazard hood is expected while
working in the lab. This work often is repetitive, but still requires intense visual concentration
and mental focus especially when working with TSE agents in the BL2+ lab. Work within the
BL2+ labs also requires the personnel to wear specific personal protective equipment (PPE)
including gown, over boots and double gloves (20% to 50% of the time)
Basic equipment maintenance
Some heavy lifting and climbing of ladders
Filling, operating, emptying autoclave of liquid and solid sterile materials as well as liquid and
solid bio hazardous waste and BL2+ bio hazardous waste
B. What types of equipment or tools are used in the job?
Micro and regular pipettes, microscopes and attached cameras, biosafety cabinet, fume hood,
computers, imaging devices, autoclave, electrophoresis devices, high frequency sonicators,
needles/syringes, plate reader, regular and ultra-high speed centrifuges, exacto knives, heating baths
and blocks, dishwasher, incubators/shakers, thermal cyclers, Nano drop, spectrophotometer, pH
meters; general laboratory equipment and standard operations/ maintenance tools. Anything new that
is required will be learned on the job.
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.
Both Biosafety Level 2 and BL2+ facilities will be used. Working with TSE agents requires Personal
Protective Equipment such as gown, double gloves, extra booties to be worn at all times; strict safety
protocols are in place and must be adhered to in the BL2+ labs. Working with flammable solvents poses
a fire risk. There are other hazardous and mutagenic chemicals in the laboratory. Some heavy lifting and
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ladder climbing is required. There is also constant equipment noise. Occasional noxious odours of
organic chemicals. In the basement BL2+ lab there is no natural light (no windows). Probable paper cuts,
bumps and bruises in the office and research lab. Skin should never be pierced in the BL2+ labs.
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.
Enter text here.
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
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