Centre Manager

Competition 1429

While this position welcomes applications from the public, please note that preference will be given to current employees at the University of Alberta. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

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 offers a comprehensive benefits package found on our Benefits Overview page and an annual salary range of $59,822 to $74,785. This position has an approximate appointment of 5 years.

Location - This role is 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 FirstPeoples 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 over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 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 Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences is one of the largest and most scientifically diverse departments of its kind in Canada. Six Research Interest Groups with overlapping memberships (Ecology, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Physiology and Cell Biology, Plant Biology, and Systematics and Evolution) provide expertise in all areas of biological sciences.

Position 

Working under the direction of Professor and Canada Research Chair Shinichi Nakagawa, the Centre Manager is responsible for managing the daily and strategic operations of the Centre for Open Science and Synthesis in Ecology and Evolution. The Centre conducts meta-research and research on data syntheses (e.g., meta-analyses, systematic maps, Big Data analysis) in ecology and evolutionary biology. The Centre also provides quantitative synthesis courses and workshops on research and data syntheses to ecologists and evolutionary biologists, especially targeting early career scientists (ECRs) and scientists from the Global South. The Centre aims to make ecological and evolutionary research more quantitative, inclusive, collaborative and less biased. The Centre will engage with external partners such as the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. 

The successful candidate will assist, and mentor lab members as needed, including providing feedback on manuscripts and other research documents and presentations. In addition, the Centre Manager will carry out complex research activities under the direction of the Principal Investigator. S/he will be responsible for purchasing lab equipment and organising quantitative teaching courses/workshops, and visitor programs under the guidance of the Principal Investigator. S/he will also ensure that environmental and safety practices are followed in the Centre in compliance with the Environment, Health and Safety Policy at UAlberta and provide appropriate training to that end. 

Duties 

1. Financial and Budgetary

• Works with Finance Partner to monitor, analyse, forecast and report on Centre financials.
• Responsible for the completion and monitoring of Centre budgets.
• In conjunction with Finance Partner, oversees Centre financial transactions across all sources of funding.
• Recommends options, strategies and proposals regarding budget allocations/reallocations and distribution of resources to support area priorities.

2. Facilities Management

• Manages space allocation (office and lab), including allocation of furniture, and office equipment.
• Will manage the purchase of related equipment and supplies.
• Will coordinate and fulfil requests for access to/use of the computer, phone and other related systems.
• Manages requests for computer, phone and system access.
• Maintains and evaluates current business processes for operational and financial efficiencies. Recommends changes.

3. People Management

• May supervise a small group of support staff (less than 6).
• In collaboration with the HR Partner for the area, provides advice and support on human resource issues (e.g. hiring, performance management, ER/LR).
• Contributes to the creation of an environment where diverse ideas, perspectives and achievements are recognized, rewarded and celebrated.
• Coordinate the implementation of EDI (equity, diversity and inclusiveness) in the centre with PI.

4. Research

• Participates in the preparation and submission of grant applications and ensures timelines/deliverables are met.
• May organise research project symposia, conferences, lectures, seminars or meetings.
• May assist in creating progress, scientific, financial, or final reports for stakeholders, granting agencies, or external funders.

5. Relationships

• Advises on the application of University of Alberta Policies and Procedures to the areas (e.g., research administration, risk management, etc.).
• Complete or oversee communications activities for the centre or institute in conjunction with a communications partner or the faculty/VP office into which they report.
• Builds and maintains relationships with external and internal networks and partners, including collaborators, funding agencies, suppliers, etc.
• Organise a visitor programme for the Centre, including reviewing applications and helping visitors come and stay in Edmonton.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in a related field (Zoology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Behavioural Ecology) with experience in research synthesis studies (e.g. publications to show such an experience).
• A minimum of 5 years of direct work-related experience.
• Experience in the below areas is preferred:

         Supervising technical staff
         Advising graduate and postgraduate student
         Managing postgraduate research programmes or centres
         Teaching and/or supporting data analysis courses
         Leading team projects

• Experience in advanced statistics and AI is considered an asset.