Lab and Administrative Operations Supervisor

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

Posting End Date

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

Job End Date

This is a part-time position with 50% FTE.

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
This role oversees laboratory safety, operations, and compliance, including developing safety procedures, coordinating training, and ensuring regulatory adherence. It manages daily lab operations and finances, including budgeting, purchasing, inventory, reporting, and staff supervision, while providing equipment training and resolving complex technical issues. The position also focuses on improving workflows, accounting processes, and operational efficiency, coordinating with auditors and vendors, and supporting overall laboratory and research activities.

Organizational Status
Reports to the supervisor, Vikramaditya Yadav. Works closely with lab staff and technicians.

Work Performed

• Develops and writes safety procedures.

• Ensures lab compliance with safety regulations and reporting

• Coordinates Lab safety training including orientation and training for current and new researchers

• Coordinates troubleshooting of complex equipment and systems problems. 

• Manages and oversees the daily operations and finances of a laboratory or technical operation for a department, including responsibility for budget, large purchase recommendations, inventory, forecasting and maintenance of financial reports, and administration of staff. 

• Develops operating procedures and makes recommendation on workflow improvements.

• Provides instruction and training in the use of equipment.

• Supervises, schedules and trains staff and may make recommendations with respect to hiring and providing input into staff performance. Addresses employee issues.

• Provides monthly financial reports on lab and personnel expenditures, broken down by project

• Identifies and implements improvements in accounting processes and systems to enhance efficiency and accuracy

• Ensures compliance with accounting standards, regulations and internal controls

• Coordinates with external and internal auditors, providing documentation and support

• Identifies opportunities for efficiencies in lab operations and procurement

• Handles negotiations and coordination with vendors and research support staff

• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.
  
  Consequence of Error/Judgement
  Exercises a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods, and coordinating the work of the unit. 
  
  Supervision Received
  Works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure. 
  
  Supervision Given
  Supervisory responsibilities for graduate and undergraduate students operating in a wet lab environment. 
  
  Minimum Qualifications
  Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.
  
  - 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

• Knowledge and experience in coordinating lab safety and biosafety are required. 

• Startup and industry experience

• Experience with BSL 1 organisms including handling, shipment and processing of fungi, filamentous fungi, and bacteria

• Experience with processing and storage of animal and plant derived waste 

• Experience handling synthetic biology lab including biological samples and volatile organics

• Bioreactors and high-pressure processing