Research Technician

Department/Unit Pathology

Posting Number S331-26

Employee Group Grant-Paid (PSAC Local 86001)

Position Type Term

Duration of Contract (if applicable) 9 months

Employment Type

Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0

$49,904 - $63,173 per annum based on 35 hours per week, prorated to $37,428 - $47,380

Provisional Statement

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Under the Principal Investigator, the research will have broad aims focusing on the hydrolysis of TAG in lipid droplets and cholesterol synthesis. Elements of the research will examine the translational control of cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes and the post-translational regulation of lipases. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Technician will conduct cell-based biochemical assays and microscopy to support two projects examining neutral lipid metabolism.

• Maintain, passage, treat and experimentally manipulate mammalian cell lines using aseptic technique and approved protocols. Conduct cell-based assays to examine cholesterol synthesis and uptake, neutral lipid storage, lipid droplet turnover and lipase activity.
• Collect and preserve cells and subcellular samples for biochemical, imaging and downstream analyses. Perform biological replicates and appropriate controls, monitor assay quality and repeat experiments when required.
• Measure protein S-palmitoylation using acyl-biotin exchange ( ABE ) and metabolic labelling/click-chemistry workflows. Prepare cell lysates and perform protein quantification, affinity enrichment, protein electrophoresis ( SDS - PAGE ), immunoblotting and quantitative analysis.
• Conduct lipid synthesis and lipase assays using radio labelled acetate and triolein under approved radiation-safety protocols. Prepare radioactive samples, perform extractions and scintillation counting, calculate isotope incorporation or substrate hydrolysis.
• Prepare live or fixed mammalian-cell samples and acquire conventional fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime microscopy ( FLIM - FRET ) data. Analyze fluorescence lifetimes and FRET responses and quantify lipid droplet abundance, morphology and protein localization using appropriate software.
• Maintain accurate, timely and traceable laboratory records, including raw data, calculations, isotope records and protocol deviations. Analyze experimental data, prepare summary graphs and figures, and present progress at laboratory meetings.

The incumbent will be required to work for periods at biosafety cabinets on a daily basis. In addition, they will be required to handle Biosafety Level 2 cell lines, viruses, bacteria, and radioisotopes, which will require PPE and may be considered a hazard or danger to the incumbent on a daily basis.
Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.

• Undergraduate degree in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology or a closely related discipline plus at least one year of related…