Research Assistant 2, Research Benard Lab - BC Cancer Vancouver

Research Assistant 2, Research Benard Lab
BC Cancer
Vancouver, BC 

The translational research performed in the Benard and Lau laboratory seeks to develop radiopharmaceuticals to improve the diagnosis and treatment of hematological and solid malignancies. We are seeking a Research Assistant (RA2) to join our research groups at the BC Cancer Research Institute to support our research and development efforts and overall laboratory operations. The core focus of this position will be in vitro and in vivo characterization of radiopharmaceuticals, including handling and conducting research experiments on animals. In this position, you will be responsible for both Laboratory Research duties and Animal Research duties.

What you’ll do

• Perform a variety of established technical procedures according to written protocols.
• Record results, including computer data entry.
• Provides input regarding modification of procedures as requested by the Department Head, Principal Investigator, or designate.
• Maintains and stores test materials and products.
• Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies and equipment.
• May demonstrate work methods or procedures to less experienced assistants as designated.
• Obtains patient consent for study recruitment, schedules appointments and works with databases.

Laboratory Research Duties:

• The successful applicant will be responsible for laboratory duties that include, but not limited to, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, PCR and RT-PCR, plasmid preparation, bacterial culture, general buffer preparation, and mammalian/cancer cell culture, mammalian transfection/lentiviral transduction, immunofluorescent staining, flow cytometry, and microscopy. Training for research techniques will be provided as needed.

Animal Research Duties:

• Maintains current knowledge of, and ensures compliance with, animal care regulations. As part of this, the successful applicant will acquire animal research center handling and certification of techniques and procedures as it relates to required mouse work.
• Maintains care of laboratory mice including, primary tumour caliper measurements, and logging changes in animal health and general health conditions. The successful applicant will also keep an up-to-date record of mice and mouse cages using Mosaic software.
• Performs mouse surgeries and techniques including blood collection, tumour implantation, and injection of tumor cells (subcutaneous and tail-vein injections), saline/vehicle solutions, and radiopharmaceutical agents, euthanasia and necropsy. Training for research techniques will be provided as needed.
• The successful applicant will assist in the operations of preclinical imaging scanners (i.e., PET/CT and SPECT/CT).  

What you bring

Qualifications:

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to graduation from a recognized Bachelor’s program in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Bachelor of Science); plus two (2) years of recent related experience in a research laboratory. Individuals who have a medical background with previous research experience engaging with patients or those training for careers in healthcare are encouraged to apply.

You have:

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Commitment to upholding quality standards, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring 

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth and development.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Perks include access to fitness classes and discounts to 350 BC-wide recreational programs, travel, technology, car and bike sharing, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full Time (Until February 9, 2026)

Salary Range: $57,347 - $75,268 per year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Z 1G1

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday; 0830-1630

Requisition Number: 178693E

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit after receiving a full time job offer with PHSA** 

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia. BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of January 31, 2025. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.