Project/Lab Manager

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level D

Job Title

Project/Lab Manager

Department

Huntsman Laboratory MEDG | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$8,785.08 - $13,703.08 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

April 11, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Apr 28, 2025

This position is located within a health-care facility. Therefore, this positions requires successful verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by the provincial health mandate.

The anticipated start date for this position is April 29, 2024. The term is for one year with the possibility of extension.

In your application please include (1) a cover letter, and (2) a CV or resume.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will be responsible for the growth and expansion of the Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core (MAPcore) lab at UBC and the Molecular Diagnostics Pathology Laboratory at the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). He/she will oversee the operations of both laboratories, provide leadership for all research projects at these facilities, and manage and supervise staff and trainees working within these facilities.

MAPcore is a key platform of the Faculty of Medicine’s Academy of Translational Medicine and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that helps validate and translate genomic and biological discoveries into clinical utility. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading of all projects that utilize the core services, develop a business model for sustained operations of MAPcore, support outreach efforts to UBC and health partner researchers, and foster scientific excellence through business development collaborations.

In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing leadership for all research projects that have the capacity to develop into clinical diagnostics test at the Molecular Diagnostics Pathology Laboratory at VGH. He/she will be accountable for quality assurance of all research and laboratory testing activities and will be responsible for ensuring the laboratory consistently meets Diagnostic Accreditation Program standards and requirements.

Organizational Status

This position is available immediately for a highly motivated individual to grow and expand both facilities. MAPcore is co-directed by Dr. David Huntsman, Professor in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia and Director of OVCARE, Dr. David Schaeffer, Associate Professor in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC, co-Director of Pancreas Centre BC and Head and Medical Director of Pathology for Vancouver Coastal Health, and Dr. Torsten Nielsen, Professor in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC and clinical pathologist for VGH. The successful candidate will liaise and collaborate with over 50 local researchers working on multiple national and international research projects funded by various granting agencies. He/she will manage and supervise all staff and trainees working within the facilities.

Work Performed

• Responsible for championing and enabling new business opportunities by leading the engagement initiatives with clients, to make MAPcore's expanding purview to be a UBC academy wide molecular pathology core laboratory.
• Leads the continuing evolution of MAPcore's business model so that it will better serve the academic community and increase revenue generation from external collaborations. This work will involve meetings with users and other stakeholders to align core lab offerings with upcoming needs and representing the laboratory at educational and other forums. As needs are identified through stakeholder interactions the hire will, in consultation with the scientific and medical leads, build and market such capacity within/for the laboratory.
• Converting the initial requests for collaboration or services, which can be very vague to specific statements work, that include the details about developing/establishing the timelines, deliverables and specifications of all the research projects.
• Plans, develops and implements short- and long-term core facility goals and objectives, including providing strategic advice on the planning, design, and development of the facilities in partnership with the Directors and users.
• Provides leadership for all research projects at both facilities, which includes ad hoc operational and service oriented projects that improve the operations or service capacity of MAPcore, clinical translation projects at the Molecular Diagnostics Lab, and all research projects that utilizes MAPcore core services.
• Develops and forecasts budgets for all research projects at the facilities, from inception to completion including grant writing, grant budgeting, or facilitation, as needed.
• Chairs biweekly meetings of MAPcore staff.
• Leads and provides operational oversight of MAPcore and the Molecular Diagnostics Pathology Laboratory with responsibility for all associated human resources functions such as staffing plans, recruitment, performance evaluation and management.
• Oversees and monitors the budget for both facilities, ensuring that forecasting is accurate, accounts for all expenses and revenues, and develops financial models and projections that ensure sustainable operations.
• Facilitates grant writing and grant reporting.
• Ensures quality assurance of all research and laboratory testing activities and ensures the laboratory consistently meets Diagnostic Accreditation Program standards and requirements.
• Facilitates activity between the two facilities and the Office of Research Services and the University-Industry Liaison Office. Ensures that these Offices are engaged to advise on grant development and support contract negotiations or agreements as needed.
• Develop outreach efforts to UBC and health partner researchers, which may include representing MAPcore at local, national or international conferences and working groups.
• Lead the larger and significant projects in both laboratories, which includes working with external institutions, their investigators, and administrators to secure MTA/DTA, developing SOPs and obtaining REB approval for UBC’s contributions to the project.
• Ensures that equipment maintenance plans that minimize downtown are in place and adhered to.
• Delegate day to day management of smaller projects to staff.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Must be able to work independently and exercise extensive judgment to lead both facilities. Every action and decision could have a significant impact on the projects. Poor performance in this role could result in a lack of engagement from key stakeholders and lead to inefficient operations of core facility. The successful applicant is expected to observe, at all times, the highest professional standards.

Supervision Received

The successful candidate will report to Drs. David Huntsman, Torsten Nielsen, and David Schaeffer.

Supervision Given

The role will manage and supervise all staff and trainees in both facilities.

Minimum Qualifications

For research project leadership, a post-graduate degree or an equivalent professional designation is required with a minimum of five years of related experience, including experience in a field of specialization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of seven years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Interested individuals with a Masters level qualification in leadership or health care, preferred
• Related experience in management (both hands on and supervisory experience).
• A candidate with a Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation is preferred. Interested individuals with at least five (5) years of related experience with qualifications in molecular pathology and genetics are encouraged to apply.
• Extensive knowledge in advanced molecular pathology and genetics in a clinical and research lab setting.
• Experience in core facility management preferred. Effectively monitors budgets and executes project plans with stringent timelines.
• Utilizes initiative, vision, independent thinking and creative problem-solving abilities to implement project plans and realize project completion.
• Excellent communication skills to function within a complex interdisciplinary environment including ability to communicate with the physician community.
• Effective facilitation, persuasion and negotiation abilities to achieve consensus, resolve conflict and achieve desired outcomes.
• Works effectively under time pressure to meet deadlines, balance work priorities and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Computer literacy with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, project management and database applications.