Research Technician I

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 37.5

Salary Level: N

Please note, this is a wholly grant funded position.

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

The Robarts Research Institute within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University advances medical discovery through basic and clinical research. TRIDENT is a translational initiative focused on strengthening the connection between preclinical research and interventions for brain disorders, using rigorous measures of brain function, behaviour and cognition.

The TRIDENT Translational Initiative supports the development and characterization of rodent models and the assessment of potential interventions. Standardized behavioural approaches, including Bussey-Saksida touchscreen testing, provide measures of cognitive function that support translational research and drug discovery.

Responsibilities

The Research Technician provides technical support for TRIDENT research, with primary emphasis on rodent behavioural experiments, Bussey-Saksida touchscreen training and testing, and the collection, quality control and analysis of behavioural data. Working under the direction of the supervisor and Principal Investigators, the role coordinates daily experimental activities, supports animal care and colony-related requirements, and performs associated tissue collection and molecular analyses. The Research Technician maintains accurate records, follows approved protocols and standard operating procedures, and promptly reports animal welfare concerns, equipment problems and departures from experimental procedures.

Qualifications

Education:

• 4 year university bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Medical Science, Biotechnology, Psychology with relevant neuroscience or animal research training, or another relevant discipline

Experience:

• 1 year of experience in a research-intensive laboratory working with genetically modified mouse lines and conducting rodent behavioural experiments
• Experience with complex Alzheimer’s or alpha synuclein mouse models
• Hands-on experience training and testing rodents in Bussey-Saksida touchscreen systems, including habituation, pretraining, execution of established cognitive tasks and monitoring of animal performance
• Experience exporting, checking, organizing and analysing touchscreen behavioural data and preparing session summaries, learning curves and research reports
• Experience with animal handling, welfare monitoring and detailed experimental record keeping
• Experience with molecular biology or biochemistry methods such as PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting or ELISA
• Experience with multiple touchscreen paradigms, longitudinal testing, disease models or intervention studies, and automated behavioural tracking preferred
• Experience troubleshooting touchscreen equipment and software and demonstrating behavioural methods to other laboratory users preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of rodent behaviour and cognitive testing, including learning and memory, attention, cognitive flexibility and motivation, and the limits of inference from behavioural measures
• Practical knowledge of Bussey-Saksida chambers, task-specific masks and stimuli, reward-delivery systems, and relevant acquisition and reporting software with the ability to resolve minor issues, and to troubleshoot or fix equipment
• Ability to follow staged training protocols, apply objective progression criteria and recognize poor task acquisition, low engagement, side biases and equipment-related artefacts
• Understanding of accuracy, errors, correction trials, omissions, response latencies and other task-specific measures with the ability to apply consistent scoring and distinguish animal-level outcomes from repeated trials or sessions
• Familiarity with research design, randomization, blinding, counterbalancing, appropriate controls and documentation of exclusions and protocol deviations
• Knowledge of animal handling, normal mouse appearance and behaviour, welfare assessment, CCAC principles and institutional animal care requirements
• Ability to maintain clear records linking genotype, sex, age, treatment, body weight, training history and experimental outcomes
• Ability to manage and validate substantial behavioural datasets, preserve original files and produce accurate tables, graphs and concise research summaries
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel) with the ability to use laboratory databases and learn relevant statistical, acquisition and analysis software
• Hands-on troubleshooting skills and familiarity with routine equipment checks, preventive maintenance, calibration and contamination control
• Knowledge of laboratory hazards, safe handling and disposal of biological and chemical materials, and applicable institutional safety procedures
• Strong attention to detail, consistent protocol adherence and an organized approach to repeated daily testing and competing project requirements
• Ability to recognize limitations, communicate unexpected findings promptly and exercise sound judgment within established procedures
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain techniques, collaborate with colleagues and students, and work independently on assigned tasks
• Commitment to animal welfare, reliable attendance for scheduled experiments, research integrity and respectful working relationships

Union Statement

Western welcomes applications from all qualified individuals; however, it is the university's policy to give first consideration to all qualified UWOSA applicants.

Background Checks

Please note, successful applicants may be required to produce a current Police Information Check from a police service prior to commencing employment.

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:

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.