The Office of the Associate Dean Research in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Spatial & Single Cell Omics Technician. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension. This is a hands-on technical position in a fee-for-service core facility.

Work involves multiple concurrent projects at different stages, strict chain-of-custody and documentation requirements, and careful handling of limited or irreplaceable research samples. The technologist selects and applies established procedures according to sample type, platform requirements and project specifications. Judgment is required when assessing sample suitability, interpreting quality-control results, adjusting work within validated parameters and determining when a deviation requires consultation with the ASOC Manager, scientific lead or instrument vendor.

The role works closely with ASOC staff, researchers, trainees, bioinformatics personnel, other CSM core facilities and external technical support. Regular hours are normally Monday to Friday. Occasional early morning, evening or weekend work may be required to complete time-sensitive protocols, monitor instrument runs or respond to equipment issues.

The laboratory environment includes prolonged standing or sitting, repetitive pipetting, handling of biological specimens and chemicals, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Projects. Receive, verify, document and track tissue, cell, DNA and RNA samples according to ASOC procedures and project specifications Assess sample and tissue suitability using established acceptance criteria, microscopy and nucleic acid quality-control methods; Perform nucleic acid extraction, quantification, normalization, amplification and library preparation using manual and automated methods Work with ASOC staff and users to ensure that sequencing plans are appropriate for the spatial assay, library structure, required read configuration, expected data volume and downstream analysis pathway Transfer spatial and single-cell omics outputs to approved storage and analysis environments, verify file completeness and maintain accurate data-delivery records Prepare, normalize and pool sequencing libraries using validated protocols and project-specific index information Perform sequencing library quality control using established electrophoretic, fluorometric and/or qPCR-based methods, and confirm readiness for pooling and sequencing according to defined acceptance criteria Create and verify sample sheets, run configurations and instrument workflows, including index orientation, read structure and demultiplexing requirements Set up, operate and monitor the Illumina NovaSeq X series and other high-throughput sequencing instruments used by ASOC or partner core facilities maintain service records and coordinate technical support when required Transfer sequencing output to approved storage and analysis environments, verify file completeness and maintain accurate data-delivery records Technical Quality and Troubleshooting Review quality-control results at defined checkpoints and document decisions, deviations and corrective actions Troubleshoot routine sample, reagent, assay, software and instrument problems using established decision paths,



prior run information and vendor guidance Contribute technical observations and test results to validation, verification and method-comparison activities led by senior staff User Support and Training Explain ASOC sample requirements, submission processes, workflow stages and routine technical limitations to researchers and trainees Communicate sample concerns, technical findings, delays and next steps clearly and promptly, referring project‑design or interpretive questions to the appropriate scientific or bioinformatics lead Maintain complete records in laboratory information, project‑tracking, inventory and billing‑support systems Monitor reagent and consumable inventories, confirm lot and expiry information, anticipate requirements for scheduled projects and sequencing runs, and identify purchasing needs to the ASOC Manager Draft and revise technical work instructions, checklists and standard operating procedures for review and approval Participate in equipment qualification, quality‑assurance activities and implementation of approved technologies and workflow changes Master's (preferred) or Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, genomics, biotechnology or a related life‑science discipline Experience in a core facility, clinical research laboratory or other multi‑user service workplace is preferred An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered Technical Knowledge Familiarity with spatial transcriptomics/spatial omics platforms, assay workflows, slide/tissue preparation, imaging‑associated workflows and/or spatial library preparation Experience with 10x Genomics instruments is considered an asset Familiarity with single‑cell RNA‑seq and related single‑cell library preparation workflows, including cell handling, dissociation, capture/barcoding and library preparation Understanding of technical factors affecting spatial and single‑cell assays, including sample quality, assay performance, library complexity, sequencing depth and sources of technical variation Demonstrated experience with DNA and RNA extraction, quantification, quality assessment, amplification and next‑generation sequencing library preparation Knowledge of sequencing principles relevant to genomic assays, including library structure, indexing, read configuration, multiplexing, sequencing depth, run metrics and sources of technical variation Experience with automated liquid handling systems and high‑throughput sequencing library preparation, normalization and pooling workflows is preferred Experience with sequencing library quality control, including electrophoretic, fluorometric and qPCR‑based methods, is preferred Data Quality and Laboratory Operations Working knowledge of laboratory quality systems, contamination control, biosafety, chemical safety and accurate research documentation Comfort working with laboratory information systems, instrument software,



Microsoft 365 applications and structured electronic records Knowledge of sequencing file formats, demultiplexing, FASTQ generation and basic sequencing quality control Familiarity with Linux command‑line tools and command‑line‑based sequencing data analysis is an asset Applies specialized technical knowledge to perform complex procedures accurately and consistently Uses sound judgment to assess sample quality, interpret routine technical results and resolve common workflow problems Maintains close attention to sample identity, documentation, calculations and data integrity Communicates technical information clearly to users with different levels of laboratory experience This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. About the University of Calgary UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest‑ranked universities of its age.

Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands‑on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. Start something today at the University of Calgary. The University of Calgary has launched an institution‑wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit‑based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous‑based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary. As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community.

We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.

Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected] show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. #

📌 Spatial & Single Cell Omics Technician, Office of the Associate Dean Research (Calgary)
🏢 University of Calgary
📍 Calgary