Lab Technician

Company profile

StressMarq Biosciences, founded in 2007, is a research bioreagents company producing high-quality, cutting-edge research products for the life sciences and discovery research markets. Our diverse portfolio of antibodies, proteins, immunoassay kits, and small molecules are utilized across a range of biomedical research fields including neuroscience, cancer research, and cell signaling.

In recent years, StressMarq has become a market leader in the development and commercialization of a range of fibrilized and oligomeric protein preparations for use in neurodegenerative disease research including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Within the company, we have three divisions - Operations, Sales & Marketing, and Laboratory. Within the Laboratory division, we have 3 departments – Antibodies & Kits, Proteins, and R&D.

Lab Technician – Protein Manufacturing (on-site)

StressMarq Biosciences is seeking a lab technician to join our growing company. This is a full-time annual contract position that can be extended if successful, reporting to a Lab Manager.  The new candidate will be trained on existing SOPs to support manufacturing in the Proteins department, with opportunities to participate in product development and optimization.

The day-to-day work for this position includes preparation of buffers, E.coli expression, casting and running gels, HPLC, spectrophotometry, imaging, performing activity assays, data visualization, data entry into shared databases, drafting/revision of SOPs, and general lab & equipment maintenance activities such as calibration, material receiving, reagent/consumable inventory, autoclaving materials & glassware, and clean-up. The focus of the position will be to maintain sales inventory of our existing protein portfolio while optimizing procedures and assisting with product characterization experiments.

On a weekly to biweekly basis, the technician will be assigned specific projects by a lab manager, which can include protein expression, protein purification, protein fibrillization/oligomerization, and protein conjugation followed by QC activities such as A260/280, SDS-PAGE, Native-PAGE, western blot, sterility testing, endotoxin detection, AFM imaging, ThT assay, and fluorescence testing. All data & results associated with a project must be compiled into a project summary for manager review.  

Other key expectations:

·       Attendance in regularly scheduled meetings.

o  Must review transcript if meeting missed or follow up with a lab manager.

·       ISO 9001:2015

o  Remain aware of ISO 9001:2015 documentation expectations.

·       Lab Safety

o  Safe handling of chemicals and raw materials.

o  Safe handling and use of equipment.

o  Review SDS sheets when necessary

o  Wear appropriate PPE and abide by safety protocols.

o  Label reagents/buffers appropriately (WHIMIS)

Benefits:

• Personal Days
• Vacation Time
• Bi-monthly staff appreciation lunches
• Private Health Services Plan (PHSP)
• Matching corporate RRSP/TFSA/MAP contribution programs
• Multiple bonus programs

Salary Range:

$43,000 - $52,000

Qualifications:

• BSc with relevant experience, or an MSc in a relevant field
• Attention to detail and natural curiosity
• Interest in the neurodegenerative disease space
• Excellent recordkeeping and time management skills
• Ability to balance and track multiple projects and deadlines at a time
• Self motivated
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Analytical skills to perform complex tests and procedures
• Technical proficiency to operate and maintain laboratory equipment such as PH meters, spectrophotometers, autoclaves, AKTAs, columns, etc.
• Understanding of protein theory and techniques
• Understanding of conjugation theory and techniques
• Experience with protein purification and characterization
• Experience with various protein QC techniques such as SDS-PAGE, western blot, ThT assay, endotoxin detection, AFM imaging, activity assays, etc.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Problem solving skills to troubleshoot equipment issues or abnormal results
• Enjoys a team atmosphere and cross department collaboration
• A positive attitude is appreciated