Laboratory Technician (TERM)

Date Posted: 05/14/2026
Req ID: 47944
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00044560
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

Your opportunity:

You will join the research team led by Professor Chelsea Rochman, where science directly informs solutions to global environmental challenges. Working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary lab environment, you will support cutting-edge research on environmental contaminants (specifically plastic pollution – including microplastics) while contributing to both research and laboratory activities. As laboratory technician, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the lab, preparing and maintaining equipment and materials, supporting experimental work, and assisting with data collection and analysis that feeds into publications and presentations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing detailed explanations and demonstrating procedures to students and/or employees on lab techniques, experimental procedures and protocols
• Liaising with service provider to resolve issues with malfunctioning equipment
• Troubleshooting routine equipment repairs
• Collecting experimental data, verifying results and passing on findings
• Analyzing data collected for publications and/or presentations use
• Preparing draft statistical reports and summaries from data collected
• Preparing, assembling and setting-up material, equipment and supplies used in teaching and/or research labs
• Applying established standards when cleaning lab, rooms and equipment

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a related discipline, or an acceptable combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum one year of hands-on experience quantifying and characterizing microplastics in a research laboratory environment using microscopy and spectroscopy.
• Demonstrated experience quantifying microplastics using microscopy and characterizing particles via Raman and/or FTIR spectroscopy.
• Knowledge and experience using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry equipment for microplastics.
• Demonstrated experience supporting analytical chemistry laboratory operations, including preparing materials, maintaining equipment, and coordinating lab set-ups.
• Practical knowledge of standard laboratory techniques, experimental procedures, and safety protocols, with the ability to instruct others.
• Experience troubleshooting routine equipment issues and liaising with service providers for repairs and maintenance.
• Strong data management and analytical skills, including experience collecting, verifying, and preparing data for reports, presentations, or publications (including relevant to quality analysis and quality control for microplastics – i.e., blank correction, limits of detection).
• Strong report writing skills – with experience writing for a scientific and general audience.
• Proven ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research team environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills,with a high level of attention to detail

Assets (Nonessential):

• Master's degree

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Approachable
• Communicator
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
• Team player

Note: This is a term position ending June 2027.

Closing Date: 05/14/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Grant - Term 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 09 -- $67,916. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $86,855. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see 

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.

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