Research Associate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for a Research Associate. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

This position reports to the Principal Investigator. It includes fieldwork on dairy farms, feedlots, parks and non-urban sites, along with laboratory activities focused on bacteriology, virology, and molecular biology. These include microbiological culture of biological samples, susceptibility testing and biochemical identification of isolates, detection of non-bacterial agents in milk (especially viral pathogens), DNA extraction and library preparation, and PCR analysis. The role also involves implementing new diagnostics for pathogen detection in bulk tank milk.
The position requires flexibility to accommodate peak periods of fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Travel across Alberta will be necessary for sample collection. The work may involve exposure to biological hazards, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols. The Research Associate must be comfortable working with animals and on farm environments. The ability to communicate with farmers is essential. Occasional weekend or evening work may be required during critical research phases or urgent sample collection needs.

Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
• Managing laboratory operations and research projects related to AMR and infectious diseases surveillance, including supervision of lab staff
• Coordinating fieldwork activities for sample collection across Alberta dairy farms, ensuring data integrity, and managing logistics
• Overseeing comprehensive microbiological profiling of bulk tank milk samples, including bacterial and viral pathogens detection
• Developing and optimizing advanced molecular techniques for pathogen detection in milk samples, particularly droplet digital PCR
• Analyzing and interpreting complex data sets to contribute to developing an effective AMR surveillance system
• Collaborating with the PIs in protocol development, research project design, and grant proposal preparation
• Providing training to staff members and supporting related research projects
• Prepare individualized testing reports to farmers, and address their questions regarding testing reports
• Engaging professionally with farm owners, managers, and veterinarians to communicate testing results
• Preparing scientific reports, publications, and presentations to disseminate research findings
• Collaborate in research on antimicrobial resistance in dairy cattle using bulk tank milk samples
• Coordinate the collection of field samples and collaborate with farmers and veterinarians
• Conduct experiments to detect and quantify pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes, including techniques such as bacterial isolation, quantitative PCR, ddPCR, and resistome analysis
• Analyze and interpret complex microbiological and molecular data using advanced bioinformatics tools
• Contribute to developing and optimizing new diagnostic methods for detecting antimicrobial resistance in bulk tank milk samples
• Collaborate in the training and supervision of graduate students and research staff
• Collaborate with research teams on national antimicrobial resistance initiatives
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols

Qualifications / Requirements:
• Professional degree in Veterinary Medicine (e.g., DVM, BVSc) required
• PhD degree in Animal Health required
• Minimum five years of postdoctoral experience in veterinary applied microbiology, strongly focusing on infectious diseases in dairy cattle. required. This includes research and teaching experience post-PhD, such as academic roles and equivalent research positions
• Minimum of five years of demonstrable experience in field activities with dairy producers, including sample collection on farms, data analysis, and management of epidemiological records required
• Extensive experience in bacteriology techniques, particularly in the isolation and molecular characterization of bacteria from bovine milk samples, and involvement in antimicrobial resistance research are required
• Proven expertise in veterinary virology, focusing on viruses affecting dairy cattle production that could serve as indirect risk factors for increased antimicrobial resistance, such as BVDV or BLV required
• Demonstrated proficiency in molecular biology techniques, particularly droplet digital PCR applications for detecting and quantifying viral and bacterial pathogens in dairy production systems, with evidence from peer-reviewed publications
• Strong background in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of complex microbiological and molecular data sets is desirable
• Proven track record of successful grant writing and publication in peer-reviewed journals in veterinary microbiology and infectious diseases related to the project
• Essential prior project management skills, including demonstrated experience in supervising graduate students and coordinating multi-institutional research projects in veterinary microbiology
• Preferred proficiency in statistical analysis software and bioinformatics tools relevant to microbial genomics and epidemiology
• Strong communication skills in English, with the ability to present complex scientific information to diverse audiences

Application Deadline: November 6, 2024

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No).
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information
To Apply, please visit the University of Calgary’s career opportunities page;
http://careers.ucalgary.ca/ Job Opening ID: 32989

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2. (Salary range $32.69 – $47.33/hour)

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

Business address: 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary AB T2N 1N4
Contact information: hrhire@ucalgary.ca

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. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy 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.

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 are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. 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 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

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