JOB FACT SHEET
POSITION INFORMATION
Position Number: 15042
Current Grade (if applicable): 6
Working Title: Protein Production/Purification Technician
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Oncology
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.
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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:
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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
This is an exciting opportunity to work in an innovative translational prostate cancer research laboratory
housed in the Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research. One the group's main research
interests includes the development of a liposome based drug delivery platform. Integral to the platform
is specialized recombinant protein. This small, 12S amino acid protein has the ability to overcome the
restrictive structural kinetics required to fuse membranes, hence making it an ideal candidate to
enhance drug delivery using liposomes. Production of the recombinant protein using an insect
cell·baculovirus system has been established. Purification of the protein using standard size exclusion,
affinity and ion-exchange chromatography has also been established along with functional end point
assays to determine fusogenicity. The successful candidate will be involved in all aspects of production,
purification and quality control assessment of the purified protein.
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
Protein Production (30%):
 maintaining and using insect cell culture system (SF2lS) including daily observation and
maintenance of the culture systems
 preparing cells for freeze-down storage
 maintaining recombinant protein-baculoviral stocks used for infection of the insect cells
including generation of Pl-PS stocks, titre evaluation using standard techniques
 maintaining accurate logs of the insect cell culture, virus production and protein production
in lab books and electronically
 developing scale up and optimizing protein-production from shaker flasks to bioreactor
quantities
 maintaining and cleaning of all equipment used in these activities is also required
Protein Purification (30%):
 purifying recombinant protein using standard techniques including size exclusion, affinity
and ion exchange chromatography
 generating all solutions required for accurate purification
 cataloguing (lab book, electronically) of protein preparations for including amounts
retrieved, quality control. any problems observed
 aiding in scale up and optimization of protein purification from current techniques
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maintaining and cleaning of all equipment used in these activities is also required
Quality Control (30%):
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maintenance and usage of a cell culture system for testing protein fusogenicity including
daily observation and maintenance of the culture system and preparing cells for freezedown storage
maintaining and using various cancer cell lines in culture for testing plasmid/bacmid
expression of recombinant protein and derivatives using standard transfection techniques
maintaining recombinant protein-derivative library
helping with the use and maintenance of a HPLC for testing protein purity
quality control assays including SDS-PAGE with coomassie/silver staining or western
blotting
determining protein (standard assays)
preparing buffers and other reagents for quality control assays
maintaining and cleaning of all equipment used in these activities is also required
maintaining accurate logs (lab book, electronic) of all quality control assessments
Miscellaneous Duties (10%):
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preparing SOPS for the above techniques
preparing general solution
maintaining cell cultures
other non-specific, but generalized lab duties
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.
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Demonstrated experience in protein production and purification techniques preferably
using insect cell culture
2 years of experience in protein purification and production using insect cell culture
Practical experience in protein biology and biochemical techniques is required
Previous experience with protein purification equipment (FPLC) will be considered an asset
Experience with laboratory database management software is an asset
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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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Daily or routine maintenance of cell cultures and equipment - e.g. when to passage cells; when
to freeze additional stocks
Making sure required supplies are sufficiently stocked for required tasks
B. For what actions is it necessary to consult someone? Are approvals or instructions verbal or in
writing?
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Assessing or fixing equipment failure: especially specialized equipment (for example HPLC).
Approvals will be verbal, financial solutions will require a written approval, typically electronic
Accepting a scale up technique as a standard operational protocol - written approval
Software updates need to be approved in writing
Staff issues of a significant nature need to be brought to the attention of the supervisor
Any staff injury or lab accident of a serious nature need to be brought to the attention of the
supervisor
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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A typical mistake may include the improper calculation of reagent concentration or improper
buffer pH titration. These types of mistakes, especially in protein purification techniques can
result in the loss or destruction of the protein of interest. This may result in significant loss of
time (possibly weeks of cell culture) and reagents involved in the preceding steps of the
purification steps
Another typical mistake would be poor aseptic technique which would result in loss of time and
reagents, also requiring more time to clean and replenish lost resources. These mistakes
typically would not impact the safety of other staff but if improper aseptic technique is used this
may result in significant loss of time and resources to other staff members
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7. CONTACTS: Identify the contacts and the purpose of the interaction.
A. Inside the University
Interactions within the lab group would involve generation of ideas and technical information as well as
reception of experimental direction from supervisors. Within the university at large: candidate may be
required to contact experts in protein purification especially for FPLC or HPLC applications.
B. Outside the University
Outside the university: candidate may be required to contact experts in protein purification especially
for FPLC or HPLC applications. This may include technical experts from various companies to facilitate
production or purification applications (FPLC/HPLC).
C. Information Sources
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
The position requires standard laboratory techniques. The candidate will be required to sit for moderate
periods of time for cell culture. No heavy lifting is typically required outside of large 3-5L flasks.
B. What types of equipment or tools are used in the job?
The standard equipment used with protein purification and production will be accessible. These include
but are not limited to, shaking incubators, CO2 incubators, pH meters, cold rooms, electrophoresis units,
etc.
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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.
The position would be exposed to typical laboratory chemicals involved in protein production and
purification including, but not limited to, acids and bases, detergents, cancer cell cultures, baculovirus.
All necessary safety equipment is readily available including lab coats, disposable gloves, safety glasses,
fume hoods, biosafety cabinets; eye wash and body wash stations.
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
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