Project Manager GHG-Genomic Tools

Competition 1212

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement this position has an approximate appointment of 42 months and offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and an annual salary range of $59,822 - $82,266.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person with on-site work primarily taking place at North Campus, Edmonton. 

Working at the University of Alberta

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Working for The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science 

GHG-Genomic Tools (GHG reduction through genomic tools) is a multi-investigator, multi-project, NSERC Alliance (Sustainable Agriculture) and RDAR set of funded research projects aimed at helping Canada meet its climate goal of net-zero C emissions by 2050 and maintain sustainability. Within GHG-Genomic Tools, the team is focused on development and adoption of genomic tools and practices that improve sustainability and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in beef cattle. The first pathway is to evaluate fecal near infrared spectroscopy (NIRs) as a proxy for measuring methane production from individual cattle. A successful proxy will allow for the large-scale measurement of methane emissions and to develop a sustainability index to select cattle that produce less methane. Feed intake and direct methane emissions will also be measured, which will also contribute towards the development of molecular breeding values for genomic methane traits. In the second pathway, the project will focus on increasing the adoption of genomic tools on commercial farms. Currently, less than 20% of commercial beef producers are using genetic selection, so even if a genomic tool to select low methane emitting cattle was created, industry impact would be low. This project will develop a carbon offset protocol specific to technologies in the cow herd that reduce GHG emissions, with a focus on genetic selection, aiming to incentivize sustainable practice adoption. The project will also engage an industry advisory committee to develop beneficial management practices (BMPs) for genetic selection on commercial farms. These BMPs will be piloted on 50 commercial farms for economic performance, with the integration of measurements needed to evaluate the carbon protocol and the quantification prototype. Participating producers will also be interviewed to better understand barriers to adoption of genetic selection and different incentivization strategies. This project spans the entire innovation pipeline, from discovery to adoption, to reduce GHG emissions from the beef cattle while supporting a resilient and profitable industry. Team members include natural and social scientists, governmental researchers and decision-makers, private producers and industry groups, as well as environmental groups.

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS) at the University of Alberta is a unique department, the first of its kind in North America. AFNS integrates many disciplines across Agriculture, Food and Nutrition. AFNS achieves excellence in the discovery and dissemination of knowledge with the goal of improving the health and quality of life. Disciplines range from primary production and biotechnology in plant and animal sciences, via innovative food and agri-food products, to human nutrition and wellness. The Department boasts 65 professors, 40 adjunct professors, over 230 graduate students, and more than 300 research and support staff. AFNS includes 4 divisions: Animal Science, Plant Biosystems, Food Science and Bioresource Technology, and Human Nutrition.

Working as Project Manager, GHG-Genomic Tools

The Project Manager will serve as a senior manager for the NSERC Alliance and RDAR projects to reduce GHG emissions and improve the sustainability of the beef industry through interdisciplinary teams. The GHG-Genomic Tools project is co-led by researchers at the University of Alberta, with additional team members from Dalhousie University, Olds College and Lakeland College. Other collaborators include researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Saskatchewan, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (Belgium) and Université Clermont Auvergne (Spain). The Project Manager is the focal point for the organization both within the projects and with its external partners, and serves as an essential bridge between the projects’ scientific and administrative aspects. The Project Manager will be responsible for assisting with overall project coordination, including project planning & implementation, purchasing, budgeting & cost control, scheduling, risk management, and on-going communications with diverse stakeholders inside and outside of the University. Though this position is based within the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences (Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Science), the project manager will also work closely with the Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, Alberta Forage and Research Associations and industry partners

Duties

• Assists the Academic lead and co-applicants with designing and implementing of operational plans based upon the overall strategic vision of the Projects including ongoing assessment of strategic plan, timelines, and deliverables
• Is the principal point of contact between the Projects, NSERC Alliance and RDAR, fee-for-service providers (e.g. Neogen Canada, Viresco Solutions), and diverse stakeholders inside and outside the University
• Works with the Finance Partner assigned to the area to monitor, analyze, forecast and report on financial position.
• In conjunction with the Finance Partner, the Staff Service Centre, NSERC Alliance and RDAR oversees the financial transactions across all sources of funds.
• Maintains and evaluates current business processes for operational and financial efficiencies. Recommends options, strategies and proposals regarding budget allocations/reallocations and distribution of resources to support area priorities.
• Purchases services, equipment and supplies.
• Manages requests for building/room access.
• In collaboration with the co-leads and PI will assist in the development and maintenance of data management plans and sample inventory systems.
• In collaboration with the HR Partner for the area, provides advice and support on human resource issues. HR responsibilities include day to day administrative tasks, appointments, contracts, reappointments, onboarding and off boarding, maintaining/updating training and safety processes and documentation
• Contributes to the creation of an environment where diverse ideas, perspectives and achievements are recognized, rewarded and celebrated.
• Participates in the preparation and submission of grant applications and ensures timelines/deliverables are met.
• Organize research project symposia, conferences, lectures, seminars or meetings. This includes scheduling, coordinating, setting agendas, acting as moderator / note-taker for virtual and in-person Project meetings.
• Assists in the creation of progress, scientific, financial or final reports for stakeholders, granting agencies or external funders.
• Advises on the application of University of Alberta Policies and Procedures to the areas (e.g., research administration, risk management, etc.).
• May complete or oversee communications activities for the project in conjunction with team members and communications partners.
• Cultivates positive working relationships with all project participants and acts as a moderator among parties in the event that issues arise among Project participants

Minimum Qualifications

• The following post-secondary education is required:

a Masters of Science  or PhD in a related scientific discipline plus at least three years of demonstrated management experience;
or
a Masters degree in a related scientific discipline plus a Masters of Business Administration or Master of Project Management.

• The candidate must have experience in a related scientific field and in project management or other management position.
• Excellent financial management skills are essential, with demonstrated experience and/or educational background in accounting, agreements, financial reporting, reconciliation, and forecasting required.
• Prior experience in human resources, including a proven ability to effectively resolve challenging personnel situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• A high degree of computer literacy is required.
• Experience in team environments essential, as is experience in coordinating activities involving multiple parties.
• Demonstrated aptitude for organization and timeliness is critical.

Preferred Qualifications

• A background in scientific fields related to the project is considered an asset, including but not limited to -omics, beef cattle operations, greenhouse gas emissions, synthetic analyses and integration of social and natural sciences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of genetics and genomics or greenhouse gas emissions (cattle) are considered an asset.
• Familiarity with the generation and interpretation of genomic data is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with field work is an asset.
• Experience with budgets of $1M or more is an asset.
• Familiarity with handling large datasets is an asset.