Research Assistant/Technician 2 – Lavoie Lab

About the role

The Lavoie Laboratory at UBC is seeking a Research Assistant/Technician 2 to support a prospective longitudinal cohort study on early‑life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) exposure. Working under the supervision of Dr. P. Lavoie, you will coordinate participant recruitment, data and biospecimen collection, and assist with immunology experiments.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of the RSV cohort study, including consent and recruitment.
• Collect and process biospecimens, manage clinical data entry, and ensure data quality.
• Support graduate students and lab staff with immunology assays such as viral neutralization, flow cytometry, and cell culture.
• Prepare progress reports for the study team and the RSV Program Manager.
• Maintain laboratory safety standards and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Train and supervise up to two junior members in blood‑collection techniques at school‑based clinics.
• Participate in professional development activities at BCCHRI, BCWRI, and UBC.

Required profile

• Strong competence in both clinical and basic research tasks with high precision and independence.
• Excellent organizational skills, motivation, and initiative.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and train junior staff.
• Willingness to undergo background checks and adhere to safety protocols.

Required skills

• Viral neutralization assays
• Flow cytometry
• Cell culture techniques
• Biospecimen collection and handling
• Clinical data entry and management
• Report preparation
• Laboratory safety compliance

What we offer

• Competitive monthly salary ranging from $4,597.80 to $5,469.59 CAD.
• Opportunity to contribute to impactful RSV research.
• Access to professional development resources within UBC’s health research institutes.