Job Type

Short Term Employee

Close Date

01/16/2026

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

Biology

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 7

Salary Range

$25.70 - $39.89 (hourly)

Job Code

JD0620

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Backfilling as Existing

Contract Duration

11 Months

Target Number of Openings

1

Hours per Week

37.5

Posting Details

Schedule

Hours of work are anticipated to be 7.5 hours per day, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.

Career Level

Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Job Description #

JD00620

Anticipated Fill Date

End of January

Job Description

Unit/Project Description:
This 11-month position is created for a researcher to work on a project titled “Enhancement of a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocol to detect microbial pathogens responsible for onychomycosis”. The project ends in mid-December 2026. Specifically, the successful applicant will culture the known diversity of etiological agents of human nail infections, identify the genetic differences among these pathogens, design pathogen-specific real-time quantitative PCR primers and probes, extract DNA from both pure cultures and infected nail samples, run the quantitative PCR, and interpret the results using appropriate statistical methods.

Job Summary:

The Research Laboratory Technician (III) is responsible for providing research support to faculty members in their research and teaching laboratory activities. This support includes performing standardized and non-standardized laboratory experiments and conducting literature searches for use in publications such as journal articles or papers. Works in a developing capacity with increased responsibility for performing a range of laboratory assignments under general direction.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Perform various in-vitro and in-vivo procedures that are moderately complex and specialized.
• Provide recommendations for procedure modifications and development of the research protocol methodologies.
• Adapt and modify established methods, assays, techniques, and equipment for various laboratory and test procedures.
• Liaise with other laboratories, external departments, and agencies to coordinate resources and schedules to meet research objectives.
• Develop presentations and present information at meetings, seminars, and conferences.
• Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
• Write a variety of documents such as technical and procedural sections for research reports and standard operating procedures.
• Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Log samples and related pertinent information.
• Gather and compile experimental results and assist in the preparation of data for reports and publications.
• Use software to conduct moderately complex statistical analyses.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
• Provide updates at research group meetings.
• Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
• Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
• Ensue adequate supplies are available for experiments.
• Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
• Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
• Prepare chemical reagents and biomedical media according to formulae and assume responsibility for accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions.
• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
• Monitor supplies and order inventories.
• Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
• Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
• Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.
• Conduct literature searches and write literature review summaries.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Assets:
Applicants should have experience in working with microbial pathogens as well as other technical expertise as outlined in the project description. Applicants with prior experience and evidence of scientific publications will be preferentially considered.

Additional Information:
The lab has all the required equipment for the proposed work.
The successful applicant will be communicating weekly with the principal investigator and industrial partner, and drafting scientific reports for potential publications and patent applications.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

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McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

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• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

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