Research Lab Manager

The Opportunity

This position reports to the Lead, Resource Services, IWK Research & Innovation Advancement and the CL3 Governance Committee. The position works in an interdisciplinary team with representatives from IWK Health, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health. 
The Research Lab Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CL3 facility ensuring efficiency, quality, and integrity of lab work and project activities executed.  This includes administrative and technical oversite such as budget control, ensuring adherence to institutional and all level of regulatory compliance, SOP/policy creation, providing daily support and oversight to lab users and coordinating lab activities. Point of contact for faculty and staff, students, and internal and external partners.  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Collaborates in developing and writing new equipment and facility grant proposals. 
• Maintains, develops, and implements policies, procedures, processes, and outreach/training materials required for the implementation of a safe, compliant, effective, and efficient program. 
• Creates materials to promote the CL3 program. 
• Oversees and maintains secure storage and tracking for documentation of all CL3 users. 
• Identify project priorities and timeline goals. 
• Serves as Co-Chair to the CL3 Operations Committee.
• Provides input into administrative contracts, agreements, memorandums of understanding, related to activities in the Lab. 
• Provides advice to investigators on budget, equipment needs, timelines, refinement of protocols, etc. for grant proposals or contract work. 
• Assists Lead with development of the Lab’s operational budget. 
• Supports the financial processes related to the Lab’s operational budget. 
• Establishes and implements a billing tracking system to bill for services provided by the Lab.
• Serves as liaison with Dalhousie Environmental Health and Safety, Dalhousie University Care of Lab Animals as well as various IWK Departments. 
• Keeps Lead abreast of any issues / concerns related to the Lab.
• Ensures safe laboratory practices, procedures, proper use of containment equipment and facilities.
• Conducts routine compliance audits, identify, and coordinate corrective actions, and prepare written status and compliance reports.
• Ensure the efficiency, quality, and integrity of lab work and project activities executed.
• Ensures Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) are followed. 
• Serves as primary point of contact for CL3 facilities and equipment emergencies and alarms.
• Oversees the management of equipment – inventory, maintenance, coordination of decontamination, movement out of lab, repair/replacement, certification. 
• Identifies, investigates, and resolves facility problems and conflicts; oversees facility repairs, renovations, and maintenance.
• With the introduction of new projects, reviews pathogen/biological requirements and ensures that lab documentation is created as needed and lab staff appropriately trained.  
• Ensures registration of all facility visitors and escorts visitors, support personnel, and contractors into CL3 facility. 
• Maintains an inventory of consumable supplies (PPE, decontaminating chemicals, etc.) and appropriate stock to sustain the overall operations of the facility.

Hours of Work

Monday - Friday, 7.5 hours

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree education in science with a major in medical technology or related life sciences required. Master’s degree in science or related field considered an asset and strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years related work experience required. 
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment including all types of respirators required.
• Participation in the established Medical Surveillance Program required.
• Proficiency in the use of software: word processing, database and spreadsheet, presentation, email, and electronic calendar required.
• Ability to undergo and maintain a favorable HUMAN PATHOGENS AND TOXINS ACT (HPTA) SECURITY CLEARANCE required.
• 2+ years of relevant experience within a university, hospital, or comparable environment in a research setting considered an asset.
• Previous management experience (ex. maintaining accurate financial records and supervision of others) strongly preferred. 
• Fundamental knowledge of laboratory equipment and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and preventative maintenance.
• Extensive experience leading laboratory activities in a research setting. Willingness to learn and stay current in the rapidly advancing field of biosafety, biocontainment, and biosecurity. 
• Expert knowledge of laboratory practices, principles, and methods for research as per Laboratory Quality Management (LQM) standards, as well as Biosafety and GLP standards and practices
• Excellent understanding of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment
• Excellent knowledge of chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo: this includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Knowledgeable and practiced in the recognition, evaluation, and control of biohazardous materials, demonstrated knowledge of research and animal husbandry laboratory operations and procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively with faculty and staff, students, and internal and external partners.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple goals, priorities, and projects within the confines of time, budgets, and available resources.  
• Demonstrate a high level of organizational, time management, and decision-making skills in setting priorities based on deadlines (both internal and external)