Laboratory Assistant

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Title

Laboratory Assistant

Department

Research | Chritz | Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences | Faculty of Science (Kendra Chritz)

Posting End Date

September 24, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

September 1, 2027

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary
This position will support the activities within the stable isotope facility housed within PCIGR in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at UBC. This facility primarily serves on campus researchers, as well as providing analytical services to government and academic clients. We seek an individual who will assist with day-to-day laboratory functioning, which includes basic lab tasks such as checking the operational status of instruments, maintaining a clean lab space, managing lab visitors and students, and inventory. This person will also perform tasks specific to the stable isotope facility, such as preparing diverse biological and geological samples for stable isotope analysis, weighing samples and standards on a microbalance, running samples on a mass spectrometer, and performing regular maintenance on our instruments. Preference will be given to candidates with this experience.

Organizational Status
Reports to Dr. Kendra Chritz

Work Performed

• Prepare and weigh samples and standards for stable isotope analysis following procedures outlined by clients of the lab.
• Manage chemical and gas inventory and stock, including making fresh stock solution and phosphoric acid for carbonate anlaysis
• Conduct and perform weekly maintenance checks of the isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS), including checking and/or changing oil in roughing pumps, changing compressed gas tanks, performing stability and linearity tests, etc.
• Patriciate in maintenance of IRMS alongside other lab personnel, such as source filament replacement or cleaning, elemental analyzer column replacement
• Organize and keep track of sample permits and samples stored in the lab
• Maintain safety, organization and permit compliance of the IRMS and prep lab space

Consequence Of Error/Judgement

Errors in the preparation and weighing of samples or standards may result in inaccurate data, undermining the validity of research outcomes.

Supervision Received
Works under direct supervision of Dr. Kendra Chritz

Supervision Given
None.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation and a minimum one year of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives and work with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences field (Environmental Sciences, Geology, Biology, Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, etc), as well as previous experience with stable isotope analysis. Preference will be given to candidates with prior laboratory experience in stable isotope mass spectrometry.