Laboratory Operations Lead

This competition is open to all applicants; however, internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

The Laboratory Operations Lead is a senior operational, technical, and leadership role within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, supporting biomedical sciences departments. Reporting directly to the Academic Department Manager, this position serves as the operational backbone for departmental research, academic instruction, and scientific engagement. The incumbent spearheads all phases of laboratory facility setup, infrastructure planning, equipment lifecycle management, vendor negotiations, and procurement alignment while ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards. Beyond facilities management, the role lynchpins undergraduate and graduate education by coordinating experimental setups, preparing specialized specimens, and supporting course delivery. As the departmental Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) lead, the position oversees WHMIS, biosafety, chemical waste management, and emergency response protocols. Crucially, the Lead also support departmental scientific communication, working closely with the Knowledge Mobilization team—translating complex biomedical research for public, donor, and recruitment channels—and support academic event strategies by curating seminar programming, drafting briefing materials, and operating audio-visual infrastructure.

• Laboratory Infrastructure & Setup: Orchestrate the planning, design, construction, and installation of new and existing research laboratories across medical science departments, acting as the primary liaison between researchers, faculty administration, contractors, and university facilities.
• Equipment Lifecycle & Resource Management: Manage departmental asset inventories, oversee service contracts and warranties, coordinate routine and unscheduled maintenance for core equipment (freezers, centrifuges, incubators), and establish user fee structures to fund ongoing repairs.
• Instructional & Research Technical Support: Collaborate with faculty to design, set up and execute undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses, including buffer preparation, instrument calibration, surgical specimen prep, animal handling, and real-time experimental troubleshooting.
• EH&S, Biosafety & Regulatory Compliance: Administer departmental safety programs as the designated officer for WHMIS, biosafety, radiation safety, chemical spill response, and transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), ensuring full compliance with university and government guidelines.
• Specialized Facility Administration: Direct the operations of specialized units, such as the Pharmacology Department Animal Facility, overseeing procurement, animal care compliance, billing, user training, and sanitation standards.
• Support to Knowledge Mobilization: Working closely with the Scientific Educator and the Research and Education Coordinator, the position contribute to scientific writing by drafting and editing scientific news, research briefs, and web content, contribute to the intellectual planning of departmental seminars and symposia by researching potential speakers, proposing scientific themes, curating session topics, drafting agendas for visiting scientists, and evaluating post-event feedback.

• Education: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree required; Master of Science (M.Sc.) in a biomedical discipline strongly preferred (or an equivalent combination of education and extensive technical experience).
• Professional Experience: 5–7 years of progressive technical and operational leadership experience within a post-secondary academic institution or biomedical research laboratory environment.
• Safety & Regulatory Certifications: Formal certifications (or immediate eligibility) in EH&S, WHMIS, Biosafety, First Aid/CPR with AED, and HSLAS, along with expertise in hazardous waste and TDG regulations.
• IAUTP Part I and II required or ongoing, ARLAT or RLAT preferred;
• Technical & Scientific Proficiency: Advanced hands-on skills in experimental prep, surgical/dissection procedures, animal handling, analytical equipment maintenance, and audio-visual standard operations.
• Operational Leadership & Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional organizational, financial tracking, vendor negotiation, and leadership skills, with a track record of effectively mentoring technical staff and supporting diverse faculty, student, and administrative stakeholders

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit the following:

• Resume;
• Cover letter: Please indicate your motivation for this specific position and statement about your philosophy of client support and service;
• Statement of Teaching Interests;
• Statement of Research Interests.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is one of the world’s top academic health science centres. With 21 departments, multiple research institutes and centres, and a focus on excellence in education, research, and clinical care, the faculty trains outstanding medical and dental professionals and drives global health innovation in collaboration with partners across sectors.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

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.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.