Technical Assistant

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Position Summary:

Under the direction of the immediate supervisor, the technical assistant supports two large-enrollment undergraduate teaching labs: BIOC320 (fall) and BIOC220 (winter). Provides technical assistance in support of activities in the course, including teaching laboratory, and the department. Maintains cleanliness of workspaces and prepares glassware, media, buffers, specimens, and equipment for lab sessions. Carries out elementary biochemistry assays. Keeps record of reagents and material. Maintains equipment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares the material, solutions, and equipment for laboratories, projects, etc. 
• Uses appropriate instruments and equipment to carry out laboratory tasks such as mixing, identifying, weighing, titration, sectioning, and sterilizing solutions and various materials.
• Carries out elementary biochemical and molecular biology assays following established techniques to perform quality control and gather data supporting projects and experiments. Notes and records data and performs some calculations.
• Assists with preparing, monitoring, inventorying, and preserving the culture media, plates, and specimens.
• Maintains cleanliness and functionality of teaching lab equipment and teaching spaces.
• Obtains supplies and sets up laboratory spaces with materials, supplies, and equipment (e.g., minicentrifuge, table centrifuges, water baths, Chemi-doc, microscopes, vortex, power supplier, hot plate, stir plates, test tubes, micropipettes, paper towels, gloves, etc.) in time before teaching lab sessions. Cleans up laboratory spaces after lab sessions.
• Prepares and labels test tubes, solutions, glassware, and small equipment for each student and sets them up at each bench. 
• Uses equipment such as balances, microtomes, microscopes, centrifuges, autoclaves, pH meters, etc.
• Maintains an inventory of supplies, instruments, and equipment used in the immediate work area and compiles a list of items to be purchased.
• Receives packages for the lab, reconciles packing slips, and labels all supplies.
• Maintains and performs minor repairs to equipment and instruments under the area of responsibility.
• Handles hazardous waste as required.
• Informs immediate supervisor of any irregularities or defects; takes measures to rectify the situation. 
• The list of duties and responsibilities outlined above is representative and not a complete and detailed list of tasks which may be performed by an employee.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

• College degree preferred
• Must be familiar with a laboratory setting, preparing lab supplies and basic laboratory techniques.
• Science background and familiarity with undergraduate Biochemistry lab curriculum is an asset.
• Service oriented, punctual and reliable.
• Must be able to work under pressure, as several tasks are time-sensitive.
• Customer focused in attending to TAs and students with arising needs during laboratory sessions.

Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 3 on a scale of 0-4.

Minimum Education and Experience:

High School Diploma 1 Year Related Experience /

Hourly Salary:

(MUNACA Level C) $24.71 - $30.62

Hours per Week:

35 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Student Affairs Officer

Position End Date (If applicable):

Dead