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Research Lab Assistant Jobs in Toronto, ON (NOW HIRING)

Laboratory Assistant

Toronto, ON

CA$32.59 - CA$37.26/hr

Clinical Excellence, Optimizing Care through Technology and Community Connection frame our Research ... Our Laboratory Assistants (Laboratory Technician III) perform blood collection, prepare specimens ...

Laboratory Assistant

Toronto, ON

CA$32.59 - CA$37.26/hr

Clinical Excellence, Optimizing Care through Technology and Community Connection frame our Research ... Our Laboratory Assistants (Laboratory Technician III) perform blood collection, prepare specimens ...

Test Technician, R&D Team: R&D/New Product Development Work Type: Full Time Location: Oakville, ON ... * Assist with the upkeep, calibration, and general maintenance of lab equipment, ensuring tools ...

Test Technician, R&D Team: R&D/New Product Development Work Type: Full Time Location: Oakville, ON ... * Assist with the upkeep, calibration, and general maintenance of lab equipment, ensuring tools ...

Clinical Excellence, Optimizing Care through Technology and Community Connection frame our Research ... lab assistants and clerical staff. * Excellent interpersonal, organizational, teamwork, and ...

Clinical Excellence, Optimizing Care through Technology and Community Connection frame our Research ... lab assistants and clerical staff. * Excellent interpersonal, organizational, teamwork, and ...

Clinical Excellence, Optimizing Care through Technology and Community Connection frame our Research ... lab assistants and clerical staff. * Excellent interpersonal, organizational, teamwork, and ...

Clinical Excellence, Optimizing Care through Technology and Community Connection frame our Research ... lab assistants and clerical staff. * Excellent interpersonal, organizational, teamwork, and ...

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Research Lab Assistant information

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How much do research lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for research lab assistant in Toronto, ON is $21.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.29 and $26.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Lab Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Lab Assistant, you need a background in laboratory sciences, attention to detail, and knowledge of standard lab procedures, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with lab equipment, safety protocols, and data management systems such as LIMS is typically expected. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively set standout candidates apart. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate experimental results, maintaining laboratory safety, and supporting research productivity.

What qualifications do I need to be a research assistant?

Research lab assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent; many positions prefer or require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or psychology. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with laboratory equipment or data analysis software are also important qualifications.

What are some common challenges faced by Research Lab Assistants, and how can they be effectively managed?

Research Lab Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing multiple tasks simultaneously, maintaining accuracy in data collection, and adhering to strict safety protocols. Balancing administrative duties with hands-on lab work can be demanding, especially during busy project phases. Effective time management, clear communication with the research team, and organization skills are essential to successfully navigate these challenges. Proactively seeking clarification and regular training on lab procedures can also help minimize errors and improve efficiency.

Is it hard to get a job as a research assistant?

Securing a research lab assistant position can be competitive and often requires relevant coursework, strong organizational skills, and sometimes prior research experience. Candidates with good academic records, familiarity with laboratory tools, and the ability to follow protocols tend to have better chances of obtaining such roles.

What does a Research Lab Assistant do?

A Research Lab Assistant supports scientists and researchers by preparing and maintaining laboratory equipment, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and ensuring the lab is clean and organized. They may also be responsible for documenting results, ordering supplies, and following safety protocols. Their role is essential for the smooth functioning of research projects and helps advance scientific studies efficiently.

What does a research assistant do in a lab?

A research lab assistant supports scientific experiments and data collection by preparing materials, maintaining equipment, and recording results. They often follow protocols, assist with analysis, and ensure the smooth operation of laboratory activities, typically requiring attention to detail and familiarity with lab tools and safety procedures.

What is the difference between Research Lab Assistant vs Research Technician?

AspectResearch Lab AssistantResearch Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or relevant certificationAssociate's degree or specialized training
Work EnvironmentLaboratory settings, assisting with experimentsLaboratory, often more hands-on with equipment
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, biotech firmsResearch institutions, healthcare, biotech companies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level research rolesClarifying technical support roles in labs

The main difference between a Research Lab Assistant and a Research Technician lies in their responsibilities and qualifications. Research Lab Assistants typically support experiments and perform basic lab tasks, often requiring an associate's degree. Research Technicians usually have more technical duties, including operating equipment and data collection, often with similar or additional certifications. Both roles are vital in research environments, but the Research Technician generally has more technical responsibilities.

Do research lab assistants get paid?

Research lab assistants typically receive compensation for their work, which can include hourly wages or stipends, depending on the institution or organization. Payment rates vary based on experience, education level, and the specific lab or project, and some positions may require prior training or certifications. Many research labs also offer opportunities for skill development and hands-on experience in scientific methods and equipment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Lab jobs in Toronto, ON? The most popular types of Research Lab jobs in Toronto, ON are:
What are popular job titles related to Research Lab Assistant jobs in Toronto, ON? For Research Lab Assistant jobs in Toronto, ON, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Research Lab Assistant jobs in Toronto, ON look for? The top searched job categories for Research Lab Assistant jobs in Toronto, ON are:
What cities near Toronto, ON are hiring for Research Lab Assistant jobs? Cities near Toronto, ON with the most Research Lab Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Research Lab Assistant job openings in Toronto, ON as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,372 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Early Career or Mid-Career Principal Investigator

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Toronto, ON

CA$177K - CA$221K/yr

Other

Retirement

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

About OICR

OICR is Ontario's cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through theMinistry ofColleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Position Details

Position: Early Career to Mid-Career Principal Investigator

Location: MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department: Computational Biology

Reports To: Scientific Director, Computational Biology

Hiring Range: Early Career $144,000 to $181,000 per annum

Mid-Career $177,000 to $221,000 per annum

Commensurate with experience; total compensation includes a competitive benefits plan, plus a defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)
Hours: 35 hours/week

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is looking to fill an existing vacancy for an Early Career or Mid-Career Principal Investigator (PI) in Computational Biology to undertake world-class cancer research. We welcome applications from individuals at all career stages, including those wishing to establish their first research lab. The Computational Biology Program develops and applies data analysis approaches to advance OICR's strategic priority on early cancer detection and interception. We seek to strengthen and expand our existing expertise in cancer genomics, statistical genetics, next-generation sequence analysis, biological knowledge bases and pathway/network analysis. We are particularly interested in, but not limited to, research that complements these areas, including applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning (e.g. for digital histopathology, genomic variant effect prediction, drug target identification or the accurate prediction of genetic and chemical perturbations of biological pathways), and modelling and interpreting cancer evolution.

The PI will be expected to mentor trainees, to build collaborations both within and outside the OICR community, and to work withFACIT, OICR's commercialization partner, to translate research findings into real-world products and services. In addition to base funds provided by the Institute to support the PI's salary and core personnel, the PI is expected to raise additional research funds from external competitive granting agencies. OICR will assist the PI in obtaining a faculty appointment at the University of Toronto or another affiliated academic institution.

Housed within OICR's Adaptive Oncology theme, the Computational Biology Program provides a robust intellectual environment with multiple investigators working with technologies ranging from spatial 'omics to large language models of clinical records. An institutional cluster comprising ~9,000 CPU threads, and 18 GPU servers with a total of 36 NVIDIA CUDA cards as well as a large OpenStack virtualization environment, is available to support analysis by members of the Program. In addition, extensive compute resources, including large GPU clusters, are available to OICR faculty via Canada's Digital Research Alliance.

OICR is a multi-disciplinary, team-science-driven translational research institute with PIs working in the areas of medical imaging instrumentation, robotics, drug design and development, biomarker discovery and assay development, spatial biology, and genomics. In addition to the facilities provided by the Computational Biology Program, the candidate will have access to a series of technology platforms for large-scale molecular data generation ranging from whole genome sequencing of challenging clinical specimens, to spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, cell-free DNA analysis, long-read sequencing, and digital histopathology. OICR develops and hosts multiple biobanks comprising hundreds of thousands of tissue and blood specimens, including the Ontario Health Study and the Ontario Tumour Bank. In addition, OICR develops and operates multiple data-rich biological databases including the international ICGC-ARGO Cancer Genome data platform, the Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network, and the Ontario node of the TFRI Marathon of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Centre Network. We are the host institution for the Global Alliance for Genomics in Health and a co-developer of the Pan-Canadian Genome Library. Finally, we believe in open-source and community development and are a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Please visit https://oicr.on.ca/research-portfolio/ for details on our research portfolio.


For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.
To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

Position Requirements

  • A PhD or MD with a proven track record in computational biology, bioinformatics, or biostatistics
  • Internationalrecognition and a strong publication record of relevance, proven leadership and management experience including the building of strong research teams, as well as a strong record of grant-funding and mentorship
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills

Please attach the following to your application:

  • A covering letter, including the names of three potential referees
  • A complete academic CV
  • A two to four page proposed research document, including a section highlighting relevance of the proposed studies to cancer


POSTED DATE: May 5, 2026

CLOSING DATE: July 31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate's abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/). Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page https://oicr.on.ca/careers/. Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.

OICR hiring managers may use approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with an initial screening or assessment of applications, and selection of applicants in accordance with OICR's privacy policies. Personal information associated with any job application will not be shared with or retained by any third party for the purpose of training an AI model. Hiring managers shall determine which applications proceed through the recruitment process.


Resume Format:If you elect to apply, please click on the "Apply for this Job" button. You will be required to enter contact details, and to attach your resume to your application.Please attach your resume as a .pdf or .doc file.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.