Lab Manager/instrumentation Support

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

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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 position supports the technical maintenance, instrumentation support, and operational management of Dr. Jason Hein's research laboratory. The Hein Lab builds automated, "self-driving" systems using tools from both classical and modern physical organic chemistry to understand and optimize chemical reactions. Duties will include equipment maintenance, inventory management, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, and liaising with facilities in the Chemistry Department, UBC.

Organizational Status
The incumbent reports to the Principal Investigator (Dr. Jason Hein), Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The cross-functional nature of the research carried out in the Hein group necessitates working in close cooperation, collaboration alongside researchers and other staff for effective teamwork within the lab.

Work Performed

• Instrumentation support including but not limited to equipment repairs and maintenance, particularly for HPLC-MS systems and analytical chemistry instruments (IR, benchtop NMR, etc.)
o Troubleshooting instrument software interfaces and power cycling when necessary
o Replacing damaged components
o Checking solvents, identifying and resolving air bubbles in tubing, leaks, or incorrect fittings
o Operational checks on all equipment to ensure functionality
• Tracking and maintaining inventory of consumables and frequently of chemicals used
• Ordering and distribution of consumables
• Sourcing new suppliers to account for supply chain issues and to search out better pricing as well as higher quality products
• Researching best suppliers for consumables and new instrumentation
• Providing training in and maintenance of standard lab infrastructure (solvent purification systems, gloveboxes, fume hoods, inert gases, etc.)
• Scheduling equipment user access and usage
• Ensuring all WHMIS/EHS regulations are met, safety training, and working with Chemistry's Safety Office and/or UBC's Safety & Risk Services (SRS) s needed
• Scheduling and monitoring waste removal
• Maintaining effective working relationship with Chemistry core facilities for support requirements to support research projects e.g., mechanical and electronic services, IT and stores.
• Carrying out routine data backup and general computer maintenance
• Carrying out related duties as necessary, in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of the job.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Failure to maintain a high standard of work with consistent communication between team members and the Principal Investigator may result in delays and quality of research output, which may impact the working conditions, reputation, and funding for the research group and UBC. Failure to follow all applicable safety precautions, including carrying out a thorough risk assessment before undertaking an experiment, may result in serious injury to the incumbent and others in the surrounding area.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works under general supervision of the Principal Investigator or other group staff members. Initiates and follows up from brief instruction while independently exercising sound judgment within areas of responsibility. Receives instruction on the assignment of new duties as required.

Supervision Given

This position will supervise an RAT3 position.

Minimum Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering or related field and a minimum of four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience operating and maintaining HPLC-MS.
• Experience operating and maintaining chemistry lab infrastructure, including
o Solvent purification systems, gloveboxes, fume hoods, HPLC-MS, FTIR, NMR, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively to milestones and to manage deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to maintain professional working relationships within a diverse research group.
• Experience in inventory management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some relevant mechanical and/or electrical engineering experience would be beneficial.
• Experience with robotics and lab automation would be a definite asset.
• Synthetic organic benchwork, familiarity with analytical instrumentation software packages (ChemStation, Mnova, Trilution).
• Python coding experience.
• Ability to use UBC library information systems and other online resources for research purposes.
• Ability to use hand and power tools.