Laboratory Lead

Competition 1130

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta in the past 18 months will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 2 years with the possibility of extension and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department of Cell Biology

The Alberta Diabetes Institute is one of the world’s most outstanding and comprehensive research facilities dedicated to conquering diabetes. The ADI has an overarching mission to support excellence in basic and clinical research in diabetes and is heavily invested in translational diabetes research. The Department of Cell Biology is focused on precise understanding of the cell, the fundamental unit of the human body. The department is focused on training the next generation of cell biologists through a group of research laboratories led by internationally recognized scientists driving new insight into the causes and effects of human disease, and how these might be treated in the future. 

Position 

The laboratory lead position is in an islet biology/diabetes laboratory, supporting the research program of the new Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in the Islet Microenvironment. The research group investigates how the different cell types within the pancreas impact islet endocrine cell function and survival. The research in the lab is directly relevant to understanding islet function and diabetes pathogenesis, with the goal of developing new treatments for diabetes. The person holding this position will be responsible for manage the daily operations of the laboratory and providing programmatic support to the CERC in the Islet Microenvironment. The incumbent will also perform a variety of routine and complex procedures, collect, organize and analyze research data and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment. In addition, they will act as a resource person liaising with the department, other labs at U of A and external/international collaborating labs. Duties will include performing laboratory experiments and supervising/instructing others in the performance of those studies and maintaining equipment and instructing users in the safe operation of such equipment. 

Duties 

1)     Research (40%):

• Carries out high-level research activities and projects in islet research with occasional input from the principal investigator
• Develops new research protocols and experiments, including conducting feasibility studies to validate new, or improve existing, techniques.
• Conducts culture, biochemical and molecular biological analyses of cells derived from human or animal tissues
• Performs wide field, confocal and super resolution microscopy on live and fixed samples.
• Utilizes existing image analysis platforms and designs new imaging routines for complex image analysis needs.
• Collects and analyses data from experiments and report on results.
• Is knowledgeable and able to instruct others on proper use of lab departmental equipment
• Selects equipment and specialty items and purchase these items for the lab.

2)     CERC in the Islet Environment Program Coordination (30%).

• Coordinates research activities among members of the research team (research lab as well as local, national and international collaborators) to facilitate communication and progress of all research activities within the CERC program
• Ensures required program deliverables are met, working with the CERC to develop and complete necessary documentation.
• Supports the CERC and works with collaborating groups to develop and delivering new and continuing applications for research funding.
• Consults with departmental admin to oversee financial and grants administration for the program, including budget tracking and using PeopleSoft, eTRAC, and Researcher Home Page systems.
• Advises the CERC on administrative and financial aspects of program activities
• Oversees processes for recruitment, interview and selection of staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the CERC program’s mission
• Participates in design and implementation, and responsible for maintenance of the CERC in the Islet Microenvironment website
• Leads organization of meetings and workshops organized by the CERC in the Islet Microenvironment program.
• Other administrative tasks as required

3)     Supervision (10%): Under occasional supervision from the PI, the incumbent will engage in supervision and teaching of technicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, and research assistants. These duties will include:

• Initiating or contributing to experimental design
• Instructing lab users in specialized techniques and lab methodologies,
• Being knowledgable about equipment use,
• Incorporating best practices for lab safety in all supervisory activities
• Instruction in data analysis
• Advising other lab members on which equipment or material to buy for experiments.

4)     Maintenance (20%): Perform regular maintenance and calibration of all equipment including:

• Maintain and report to supervisory agencies on lab chemicals and inventory (e.g. instrumentation for biochemical analyses and microscopy).
• Orders laboratory supplies and chemicals
• Coordinates with lab personnel and Lab Safety
• Carries out safe laboratory procedures
• Is responsible for ensuring that all members of the laboratory maintain conditions consistent with safe laboratory procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a postsecondary education in a related discipline (master’s degree preferred) with a specialization in islet biology, cell biology and/or microscopy.
• Several years' experience in a post-secondary institution in a research laboratory environment or in a technical capacity.
• Working knowledge of research administration tasks and expertise in University of Alberta procedures and policies.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Proficiency with software including PeopleSoft Financials, eTRAC, Researcher Home Page, REDCap, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe, Slack, Zoom, Canva, and basic website design
• Ability to interact with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and administration.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Practical experience in immunohistochemistry, microscopy and image analysis is preferred.