JOB FACT SHEET
POSITION INFORMATION
Position Number: 15433
Current Grade (if applicable): 5
Working Title: Laboratory Technician
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pharmacology
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:
___________________
________________________
__________________
Name
Signature
Date
___________________
________________________
__________________
Name
Signature
Date
___________________
________________________
__________________
Name
Signature
Date
___________________
________________________
__________________
Name
Signature
Date
INCUMBENT (if applicable):
SUPERVISOR:
DEPARTMENT HEAD/TRUSTHOLDER:
JOB FACT SHEET|1
JOB FACT SHEET
1. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST REVIEW
NA
2. POSITION SUMMARY
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







Transformation of Pichia yeast, preparation of yeast cultures, operation of fermenter,
harvesting of yeast and purification of expressed enzymes (40%)
Kinetic assays of enzyme activities by spectroscopy or radiochemistry (25%)
Performs experiments of enzymes and ligand binding by spectroscopy or radiochemistry
(15%)
Maintenance of lab and lab equipment (10%)
Maintenance of laboratory databases and operating procedures (5%)
Ordering of supplies (5%)
Perform other duties as required
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.




Minimum one year in a research laboratory environment preferred
Experience working with Pichia pastoris yeast and/or in protein purification and/or with
spectroscopic assay techniques would be an advantage
Excellent communication skills, timekeeping
Proficient in Mac and PC use; Microsoft Office, GraphPad Prism preferred
JOB FACT SHEET|2
JOB FACT SHEET
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?

Detailed instructions provided by Pion experiments to be conducted. All data is verified by PI or
senior member of the laboratory
Activities related to the general laboratory and equipment maintenance
Activities related to following standard experimental procedures


B. For what actions is it necessary to consult someone? Are approvals or instructions verbal or in
writing?


Verbal approval of all purchases
Verbal approval for experimental activities not covered by a standard procedure
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.


Mistakes in preparing solutions; contamination of yeast cultures; incorrect instrument set-up.
Errors likely to be apparent within a short time, to the employee or to others working in the
laboratory. Lost time and financial costs should usually be minimal
Mistakes in data entry and analysis. The employee would be expected to check their work
carefully and identify these errors
7. CONTACTS: Identify the contacts and the purpose of the interaction.
A. Inside the University




Daily contact with the supervisor (Dr. Holt). Daily contact with students in the laboratory. Some
contact outside the immediate research area (within Department and FoMD) with personnel
from other laboratories (use of equipment, share basic/routine information, etc.)
Department of Pharmacology administrative office
EH&S, including Radiation Safety
Biochemistry Stores
JOB FACT SHEET|3
JOB FACT SHEET
B. Outside the University

Occasional contacts with commercial representatives, delivery people, technical assistance staff,
etc.
C. Information Sources


Direct verbal or written instructions from the supervisor
Catalogues, instruction manuals, laboratory databases, online resources


Experimental results communicated to the supervisor
Training of new laboratory personnel in instrument use and in standard techniques used in the
laboratory
Information regarding the general operating condition of equipment, experimental status,
consumable and laboratory reagents, location of reagents, databases and biosafety guidelines

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
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

Preparation of laboratory reagents and solutions and other activities that involve standing at the
bench; experiments performed standing or sitting at the bench, use of computer for database
management, data storage etc. Occasional movement of gas cylinders on wheeled trolleys.
B. What types of equipment or tools are used in the job?

General laboratory equipment (pipetters, balances, centrifuges, pH-meter, stirrer,
electrophoresis tanks, water purifier, autoclave etc.)
JOB FACT SHEET|4
JOB FACT SHEET


Specialised laboratory equipment (fermenter and circulating chiller, protein purification
equipment, spectrophotometer, FlexStation platereader, stopped-flow spectrophotometer,
thermal cycler, cell harvester)
Mac and PC computers
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.

Occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals, low-level and low hazard radioisotopes, rarely
biohazardous materials
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
Principal
Investigator
Laboratory
Technician
Graduate Students
JOB FACT SHEET|5