Technical Specialist

About Western

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

About Us

Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (SSMD) is a leading Canadian centre of outstanding education and research shaping health care for the next generation. Imaging Pathogens for Knowledge Translation (ImPaKT) is a one-of-a-kind facility that combines Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC )-certified containment level standards (CL2+ and CL3) with advanced non-invasive imaging equipment. The CFI-funded facility was among the first in Canada to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting research into virus spread, partnering with the industry to test vaccines, therapeutics, and antimicrobial materials. The grant, established in 2021 under the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding program, supports the expansion of ImPaKT to include a facility to test new antimicrobial strategies to prevent the spread of infectious diseases through the air and a facility to produce antimicrobial therapies and vaccines for human use. The new facility will also house a clinical-grade drug manufacturing facility, allowing both research and industry partners to produce pharmaceutical-grade drugs right here at Western. The grant is a crucial next step to support the ImPaKT Facility’s mission to address gaps in Canada’s pandemic response capacity by building an expanded CL3 Pathogen Research Centre (PRC).

Responsibilities

The Technical Specialist will apply their expertise and knowledge to support all of the functions within a laboratory or research project. The incumbent will be responsible for designing, developing, maintaining, modifying and/or manufacturing equipment to help achieve the desired innovative outcomes associated with the learning environment and/or research project. The Technical Specialist will provide hands-on technical expertise to ensure timely and reliable support for students and/or researchers.

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in a relevant discipline

Experience:

• 2 years' working experience in a related academic research environment

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Familiarity with University research policies and practices
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit
• Communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate procedural documentation
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and other applications or equipment used to support the laboratory or research project
• Ability to provide solutions and ideas for improvement by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to multi-task and maintain an organized and effective personal work environment
• Ability to work in a fluid and evolving work environment with changing deadlines and priorities
• Ability to work independently and maintain direction and focus through proactive planning and organized approaches to work
• Results-oriented with the ability to motivate and coach others to meet high performance standards
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Ability to adhere to legislated safety requirements and Western safety policies
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problems

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.