Description
The Department of Clinical Neurosciences in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Technician. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 6 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
This position will be part of the development and execution of a research program focused on the inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of astrocytes. This position will help to advance the Cumming School of Medicine and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute in becoming a leader in glial cell biology, neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis (MS) research. The selected candidate will have a unique opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team and be involved in pioneering studies in the field of MS research. The University of Calgary is ranked a Top-5 Research University in Canada and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute is a highly recognized institution in the areas of neurosciences and imaging.
Reporting to the Principle Investigator.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
-
Under general supervision & direction of the PI, develop and implement original experiments within the guidelines of the research
-
Collecting data, interpreting and analyzing results
-
Designing and executing independent experiments using cell culture, spectral flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, ELISA, Luminex, histology
-
Reliable and safe operation of all laboratory equipment
-
Simple maintenance of equipment
-
Use of various biological samples (eg. tissues, blood, urine, etc)
-
Conduct literature review when required to
-
Attending team meetings
-
Training other staff and students in the operation of equipment and laboratory protocols
-
Drafting of reports
-
Representing the team in meetings for logistics with other laboratories at the University of Calgary and beyond
-
Demonstrating strong communication and team skills
-
Demonstrating attention to small details and high compliance to set protocols and procedures
-
Managing multiple tasks
Keeping up with safety codes, standards, and systems related to specialization
-
Qualifications / Requirements:
-
Master's Degree in Neuroscience, or equivalent
-
Specific training in neuroimmunology and glial cell biology (including astrocyte biology)
-
Minimum 3 years of technical experience within the research field of glial cell biology and neuroimmunology
-
Advanced training in multiple sclerosis research (MS Canada training program, or equivalent)
-
Hands-on experience astrocyte cultures
-
Familiarity with animal models of MS
-
Specific experience with cell culture techniques, specifically astrocyte cultures
-
Specific experience with immunological techniques, including spectral flow cytometry, ELISA and Luminex assays
-
Specific experience with molecular biology techniques, including quantitative RT-PCR and Western Blotting
-
Familiarity with animal models of MS (specifically mouse, including EAE and LPC)
-
Familiarity with RIC treatment protocols (both in mouse models and humans)
-
Specific experience with histology and immunofluorescence
-
Specific experience with image analysis using Imaris
-
Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), and statistical analysis software (GraphPad Prism)
-
Experience performing literature searches in Pubmed and equivalent
-
Must be capable of designing independent experiments to follow up on experimental findings
-
Critical thinking to interpret complex results
-
Strong technical writing skills
-
Demonstrated communication, organization, time management skills, attention to detail, and technical skills
Application Deadline: July 9, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 1.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
