The Department of Psychology at Queen’s University is seeking an experienced technologist with previous exposure to mass spectrometry equipment for the position of Mass Spectrometry and Lab Technologist. Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), the Mass Spectrometry and Lab Technologist sets up and validates the equipment, and facilitates its smooth operation, ensuring it is available for use by a diverse group of internal and outside-university researchers performing hormone research.  This includes tracking and requesting equipment maintenance, implementing and monitoring Health and Safety standards, ordering supplies and managing lab financials.  This position requires an individual who understands the lab technology, is able to work autonomously with limited supervision and direction, and who incorporates inclusivity into policies and procedures in a laboratory setting.

This lab will support researchers who wish to incorporate hormones and other analytes into their research, including those who have not been able to do in the past. Much of the research attends to gender, sex, and sexuality, making this a great opportunity for someone looking to perform work with potential for a broad positive impact on society. This mass spectrometry lab is new and in the process of starting up, so this position will allow someone to use their creativity and influence the lab’s organization and management. Though the mass spectrometry lab is new, the PI who will be providing direction has been an award winning researcher for over 15 years, is a Canada 150 Research Chair, and has been elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. The Mass Spectrometry and Lab Technologist will join a successful team doing cutting edge research.

If you feel you have the skills and attributes mentioned above, we encourage you to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manage the daily operations of the LC/MS-MS (mass spectrometry) equipment by coordinating schedules for setting up and preparing equipment for use; developing, testing and validating protocols for specific steroid hormone measures and other analytes with training; installing and commissioning new equipment, calibrating instruments, performing and coordinating routine maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs and upgrades consistent with the manufacturer’s guidelines, and ensuring the instruments are available for use at all times.
• Provide one-on-one and group training to users in the safe and correct operation of the laboratory instruments and related sample preparation equipment. Develop training protocols, establish equipment procedures, and develop user documentation and training materials.
• Independently analyze samples, collect data in an accurate and detailed manner, process data, develop reporting protocols for results including some statistical representation and present results in written formats consistent with PI priorities. This includes preparing and conducting procedures, observing and recording results.
• Support the PI with conducting data collection processes from participants and reviewing sample analyses conducted by all laboratory users to ensure compliance with QA/QC protocols. Use independent judgement and personal initiative to ensure successful completion of the analyses.
• Develop work plans and coordinate sample analysis schedules, prioritize preparation and analysis for efficiency and meeting deadlines.
• Maintain a working knowledge of technical and scientific advances in mass spectrometry and keep the PI apprised of new equipment upgrades, as well as new applications and methods of potential benefit to the lab.
• Develop and communicate protocols for sample preparation and sample submission to the lab, maintaining client relationships by communicating with researchers/clients/users.

Social Neuroendocrinology Laboratory:

• Supports the PI with administrative duties associated with running the laboratory, such as receiving analytical service requests, tracking services performed for the purpose of invoicing, filing, completing forms, preparing General Research Ethics Board applications, and managing internal and external communications in support of ongoing research.
• Manage accounts and coordinate financial processes: prepare and monitor a lab budget in consultation with the PI, monitor resource and expense allocation for the lab’s operating funds, develop costings for analyses as well as account activity to ensure accuracy and validity of financial transactions; processing purchase orders, payments and preparing quotes; reconciling statements, maintaining accurate records, analyzing financial data and preparing reports. Oversee expense allocation for the lab’s operating funds.
• Act as a first point of contact to answer financial inquiries related to the lab for both internal and external clients. Liaise with Financial Services and Research Accounting regarding research accounts and related financial matters. Process financial transactions including cheque requisitions, invoices, deposits, purchase orders, salary and other requisitions, collection of accounts receivable.  Actively resolve complex financial and administrative issues as they arise.
• Under the guidance of the PI, develop safety protocols and ensure operating procedures and practices are met.
• Manage health and safety records for the lab and liaise with Environmental Health and Safety to ensure proper safety procedures are in place.
• Organize, purchase and order supplies, overseeing shipping and receiving of samples; and preventive maintenance supplies as needed, coordinating with Strategic Procurement Services when necessary.
• Undertake other duties as required in support of the lab.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Commitment to promoting and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, with attention to matters of social inequities (for researchers, participants, and in research questions).
• Ability to operate and maintain laboratory equipment (LC/MS-MS), including the ability to stand for extended periods, manual dexterity to operate equipment and ability to work in a noisy and odorous environment.
• Safety leadership skills to provide direction and instruction to lab visitors, users and students as necessary, with the ability to train and convey technical information to researchers, graduate students and undergraduate students.
• Critical observation, analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, and strong statistical analysis capability. Judgment in choosing best protocol or adapting procedures to meet changing needs.
• Strong planning, organizational and management skills with the ability to multitask and work independently.
• Good communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills with an ability to establish and maintain effective research collaborations, and contribute to grant applications.
• Proven care in handling dangerous materials, operating complex equipment, and preparing experimental solutions or samples. Ability to foresee potential problems and prevent where possible.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability for meticulous, reproducible work and documentation.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, creativity, and initiative in establishing, and nurturing relevant networks, processes and/or standard operating procedures, as well as adopt and implement new ideas and techniques.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.

 DECISION MAKING:

• Determine appropriate actions to handle emergencies (e.g., loss of power to mass spec equipment, freezers, leaks, etc.) and unexpected problems to minimize damage and determine when to escalate to PI.
• Recognize biohazard risks and take appropriate preventative measures, including disposal of hazardous waste within safety guidelines.
• Make decisions regarding allocation of resources. Prioritize time and resource use to maintain schedule workflow of multiple projects from a variety of researchers within established deadlines and budget restrictions.
• Determine if results are of sufficient quality to submit to researchers/clients and take appropriate measures to troubleshoot/repeat analyses as needed; evaluate any problems and suggest solutions.
• Make decisions on the hormone protocols to validate, and methods for the specific hormones or analytes. Determine how to address unexpected problems that may arise during mass spectrometry analysis in the lab, and when the problem is serious enough to contact the principal investigator.
• Make decisions on ordering of equipment supplies for operating the equipment, including when to communicate with company reps/support to address issues.
• Decide on schedules of sample analyses, users, conveying schedule priorities and conflicts to the PI.
• Determine which equipment needs to be repaired, maintained, replaced, and when. Research and make recommendations regarding suppliers or manufacturers.
• Respond to inquiries from researchers regarding how to collect samples, submit samples, and about analyses/results by mass spectrometry consistent with available resources, research priorities and timelines. Determine where to redirect more complex inquiries and escalate issues to the PI.
• Recommend improvements to the administrative operation of the laboratory.