Research Technician, Pathology

RESEARCH TECHNICIAN, PATHOLOGY
Job location: Comox, BC
Employment type: Full Time Employment
Hours: 40 Hours per week

Salary Range : $28.85 CAD to start

A little about us

Hi, we're Aurora Cannabis, and we're so excited to meet you!
We're a global cannabis company driven by our passion to help people improve their lives. We have a diverse team who bring their best every day so Aurora can be the cannabis provider of choice for patients and consumers. We love our work, and we especially love our high quality, innovative brands that make up the Aurora family - from Aurora, Aurora Drift, San Rafael '71 and Whistler.
Our people combined with our collective passion for the industry is what makes Aurora a special place to work and defines what we call our "A-Team". We are a high-performing team of cannabis experts, innovators, and champions, that work, learn and win together. We think BIG, act BOLD and execute with PURPOSE in all that we do, and will stop at nothing to cultivate the ultimate cannabis experience for our community.

Job summary:

The Research Technician, Pathology plays a crucial role in supporting the Pathology team at Coast. The principal role of this position is to support the Pathology team in a range of technical duties under the supervision of the Lead Scientist and Research Associate(s).

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Pathology Research: Carry out research experiments pertaining to plant pathology including pathogen testing, disease control and genetic resistance in coordination with Pathology team.
• Pathology Support: Purify and maintain pathogen isolates, conduct DNA/RNA extractions and PCR assays, disease scouting, prepare growth media and inoculum, plant inoculation, maintain sterile workspace when needed, conduct pathogen testing protocols, organize lab supplies, including washing of equipment and contribute to overall organization and tidiness, comply with safety and other regulatory standards.
• Data Collection and analysis: Record and maintain accurate data on pathogen testing, pathology experiments, and other relevant parameters. Analyze data and compile research reports.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed and organized records of research and pathology lab activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Other Duties: As assigned by the department lead and may include supporting other departments within a lab or greenhouse environment.

Accountabilities:
1. Equipment Efficiency: Accountable for supporting maintenance activities that contribute to the efficient operation of equipment.
2. Documentation Accuracy: Accountable for maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of maintenance activities.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Cannabis Cultivation: Knowledge of cannabis cultivation techniques, breeding methods, and plant biology.
• Data Collection: Strong skills in data collection, record-keeping, and attention to detail.
• Disease Management: Knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) practices in cannabis cultivation.
• Compliance: Understanding of regulatory requirements related to cannabis cultivation.
• Sample Processing: Prepare media and plant samples under supervision.

Education and Experience:
• Minimum of a bachelor's in biology, Agronomy, Genetics, or related discipline or equivalent.
• Understanding of molecular techniques and theory.
• General understanding of plant and pathogen life cycles, plant health and care.
• Experience with experimental design and execution.
• Ability and willingness to perform daily repetitive tasks.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving skills and detail oriented.
• Self-motivated, creative individual able to work in a team environment while also able to work alone in a focused manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• A "get things done" attitude and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment is crucial.
• Competency in computer skills including use of Microsoft Suite.
• Previous lab experience a definite asset.

Why you'll love working at Aurora
Our people are at the heart of everything we do here at Aurora, and we take pride in fostering an inclusive space that inspires our team to love where they work! From rewarding career opportunities to flexible work environments to team activities, we go above and beyond to prioritize your success and here's how we do it…

• Flexibility: you will enjoy a flexible work environment that is the perfect blend of work and fun! With flexible working hours to compressed work weeks to paid sick and vacation time, you will be empowered to achieve work-life balance.
• Total rewards: we will motivate you to go above and beyond with a competitive salary or hourly wage (with shift premiums), stock options, an RRSP program, annual bonuses, and a health and personal care spending account for you to use for gym memberships, ski passes or staycations.
• Benefits: we will foster your health and wellness (and your dependents) with our employee benefits package including, employer-paid health and dentalcare premiums, life insurance and LTD policies and a medical cannabis coverage program, designed exclusively for our A-Team, that will provide you with $1500 of coverage each year (because we truly believe cannabis is the best medicine).
• Life-long learning: we're lifelong learners here at Aurora and will invest in your professional development throughout all aspects of your career! You will have access to a tuition assistance program, virtual learning activities and annual performance reviews, to ensure you are provided with the toolkit and support you need to succeed.
• Perks: we love to celebrate our people by providing corporate perks including employee discounts, perkopolis memberships, company SWAG, paid volunteer time, modern technology and snacks and beverages at all our office locations.

• Team: we are a diverse and global team of cannabis enthusiasts, energetic innovators, fitness gurus, caring parents, foodies and more, with a collective passion to nurture an inclusive environment that helps you grow and provide people better days with medical cannabis.
  

Diversity and inclusion
At Aurora, we are proud to foster and celebrate a diverse community of professionals! We take pride in nurturing an inclusive culture that empowers our people to be their authentic selves, celebrate their differences and love where they work.

Our diverse community combined with our inclusive culture, is what sets us apart in the industry and equips our A-Team with superpowers - and this is why, we encourage all candidates to apply for job opportunities regardless of race, national origin, colour, religion, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and family status, disability, or any other identifying characteristic. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site or alternate format of job posting) during the recruitment and selection process, please do not hesitate to let our team know! We are here to help.