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Position Summary:

The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) of the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro) conducts over 120 clinical trials for patients with neurological disorders. The CRU is looking to hire a Research Technician to process, store, package and ship a wide variety of biological samples in the context of clinical trials in humans. This position involves collaborating with internal and external stakeholders including research coordinators, nurses and pharmaceutical companies. This position is a 3-month replacement contract.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the Lab manager and Nurse manager to meet team objectives and ensure best practice in biological samples handling.   
• Ensure continuous support to research coordinators and nurses in the delivery of up‐to‐date specialized technical laboratory tasks.
• Performs a variety of tests including pregnancy tests; chemistry strip tests: pH, sediment levels, blood levels, leucocytes, proteins.
• Records results, performs calculations, and compiles data.
• Maintains individual study records for shipments.
• Maintains inventory logs for each study kit, which includes: the quantity, the expiration date, and the location of the kit.
• Participates actively in the review of laboratory processes and documentation for quality assurance and improvement as well as for audit preparedness.
• Operates a variety of equipment, including centrifuge, incubator and temperature loggers.
• Prepares and balances centrifuges, calibrates pipettes, ensures consumables are not expired, and manages temperature logs for the -80C and -20C freezers.
• Arranges for examining and calibrating all laboratory equipment when applicable.
• Read and understand clinical trial protocols and lab manuals related to each study.
• Ensure that the activities are performed in accordance with clinical trial protocol and University and sponsor policies and procedures.
• Always have an up-to-date certification for Good Clinical Practice (GCP), CRU Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Health Canada Division 5, and IATA certification.
• Maintains lab equipment and material inventory and communicates with coordinators/nurses the whereabouts of patient visit related lab equipment.
• Responsible of maintaining a safe and unsoiled work environment.
• Prepares chemical solutions required for testing and ensures they are appropriately combined with biological samples.
• Conduct routine laboratory tests and analysis of samples.
• Prepare, label, and sort blood, tissue and other samples from patients.

This job description is not an extensive and complete list of tasks related to the Research Technician role within the CRU. 

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

• Undergraduate Degree (Biology or Sciences).
• Prior experience handling biological samples (blood, saliva, urine, feces, cerebrospinal fluid, biopsy tissues).
• Experience in clinical research and neuroscience.
• Knowledge of IATA practices and biological sample processing.

Schedule

• Main hours of operations are regular business hours Monday to Friday with occasional evening and/or night shifts to accommodate long and overnight patient visits.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.