Permafrost Archives Science (PACS) Laboratory Manager

Competition 1869

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

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place 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 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 Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and research themes in Environmental Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Geology, Human Geography, Paleontology, and Planning. One of the largest and best supported departments in Canada, it has an international reputation for leading-edge research.

Position 

The Permafrost Archives Science (PACS) Laboratory manager oversees the PACS Lab's accounting and budget management, including invoicing, audits, and annual budgeting for multiple accounts. They provide training and maintain lab instruments, manage and perform infrastructure maintenance, including the walk-in archive freezer and associated archive software. They are responsible for interviewing, onboarding, training, supervising, and offboarding undergraduate temporary staff, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and visitors using the laboratory facility. They are responsible for maintaining and acquiring field equipment and managing logistical aspects of new equipment procurement. They maintain and implement safety training and record management for the laboratory and oversee safety records and enforce safety policies. They oversee all analyses of samples through the laboratory through supervision of students and short-term staff positions, ensuring the QA/QC protocols are in-place and are responsible for data quality leaving the laboratory.

Duties 

• Accounting/Budget Management
• Instruments and Maintenance
• Infrastructure Maintenance and Monitoring
• Staff Management
• Field Equipment Management
• Safety Training and Records Management

Minimum Qualifications

• MSc in permafrost science or closely related field and experience in analysis of earth materials.
• Self-motivated, reliable, and able to multi-task.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to lead a team of researchers from undergraduate students to post-doctoral fellows towards project/contract completion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work with external users to develop analytical approaches for sample processing.
• Ability to undertake and supervise field programs in permafrost science in northern Canada.
• Experience with permafrost sampling and analysis of permafrost materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with northern logistics, permafrost coring, sampling and analysis of permafrost materials.
• Experience running a multi-disciplinary laboratory.
• Experience with accounting and budget keeping, invoicing including U of A overhead costs and tax reductions.
• Experience with the application of core scanning and computed tomography methods to permafrost materials.
• Transport of Dangerous Goods and First Aid training.