Technologist, Molecular Microbiology

Role Responsibilities

The Molecular Biology/Microbiology Technologist position performs a variety of routine and specialized laboratory tests for the rapid detection, isolation and enumeration of pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms (including bacteria, viruses and parasites) using various molecular and microbial techniques.

This position will rotate between the molecular biology and veterinary microbiology laboratories to contribute to the day-to-day and outbreak operations in both areas. Activities include preparation of reagents, reception of samples, performing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (conventional and real-time), and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The position must be comfortable doing a variety of morphological, biochemical and serological tests to identify bacteria and bacterial isolates. This position is in direct support of surveillance and regulatory programs and projects within the Food Safety (FSB) and Animal Health and Assurance Branches (AHAB).

This position is expected to work occasional weekends and evenings when responding to outbreaks affecting food safety and/or animal health within Alberta.

Responsibilities: 
Some of the responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: 

• Adapting, modifying, validating and performing PCR and other molecular techniques for the detection of microbial organisms and viruses important to food safety issues and animal health surveillance.
• Contributing to the daily operations and maintenance of the molecular biology and veterinary microbiology labs to ensure a safe and secure lab environment.
• Contributing to the quality assurance system to maintain ISO 17025 accreditation in the laboratory.
• Participating in internal and external audits.
• Assisting in training staff and students. 
• Supporting other laboratories with in AFAS during outbreak response. 

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Below is a list of APS competencies critical for success in this role: 

• Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Develop self and others: A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Required: 

• Two (2) year technical diploma in a related field, such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Microbiology. 
• Two (2) years of directly related experience in lab environments, preferably in Molecular Biology and/or Microbiology.
• Must be fit to wear a respirator. 

Equivalencies maybe considered - directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education 

Assets:

• Experience working in biological containment level 2 and/or 3 laboratories.
• Experience working within a Quality Management System (QMS).
• Experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited lab environment.
• Working knowledge of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), Next generation sequencing and Bioinformatics analysis. 
• Must be detail oriented and able to work in a dynamic environment.
• Must be able to work independently but also contribute to the shared responsibilities of the laboratory. 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Position Information: 

• Office is located in Edmonton.
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week / Monday to Friday (8:15 to 4:30 pm). 
• This is a temporary maternity leave backfill position with an anticipated end date of Feb 03, 2026.
• Flexible start/end times may be considered.
• This position is expected to work occasional evenings and weekends when responding to food safety or animal health outbreaks or other events.

Other Application Information:

• Final candidates may be required to undergo a practical laboratory-based testing, demonstrating skills and abilities following the interview.
• Medical clearance to wear a half or full-face respirator is required.
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level. 

What GoA has to Offer: 
Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.