Description
The Department of Physiology & Pharmacology in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Germ Free Facility Manager. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The Germ-free facility (GFF) Manager is responsible for independently managing the operations of the IMC GFF neutral processing and specialized laboratory processes including managing the operations, facility infrastructure and a team of three GFF staff. The GFF Manager will report directly to the IMC Director(s).
The GFF Manager sets the schedule and priorities for the design, develop and team performance of specialized tasks as they relate to GF processing of equipment, consumables, specialized laboratory processes, etc and is guided by a set budget. The GFF manager is supported in this role by a team of moderate-level technicians (Tech I) who will be responsible for the hands-on day-to-day operations of the GFF neutral processing area and specialized areas within the GFF program. The IMC GFF manager's responsibilities include oversight for laboratory processes, infrastructure and equipment maintenance, repairs and operations, formal management and resources for this dedicated team of GF technicians including managing the hiring processes, along with oversight for training and coaching, delegation of tasks, scheduling and assigning workloads through coordinating with and managing these technicians.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Leadership:
- Impact: Accountable for the performance and results of the IMC GFF neutral processing and specialized laboratory program through developing infrastructure resources and operation support. Impacts the IMC through collaborating and discussing with IMC managers the university processes, operations, etc applicable to the IMC as a whole. The IMC GFF Manager will be responsible for:
- Hiring, mentoring and training of staff; defining expectations and assignment of tasks and responsibilities; conducting performance reviews
- Contributing to strategy by partnering or collaborating with directors and leaders
- Adapting plans and priorities to meet service, operational and/or research objectives
- Managing complex departmental issues and challenging interpersonal interactions
- Resolving low impact concerns and ad-hoc issues within their own team
- Leading initiatives and support a collaborative culture within the faculty and the university
- Management of Research Staff: Responsible for hiring and managing professional staff within the AUPE framework. This includes but is not limited to 1) maintaining best hiring practices, 2) training on university guidelines, equipment, SOPs and laboratory processes and 3) providing scheduling and direct support for technical staff. Training of staff includes extensive training on highly specialized equipment and processes for animal husbandry and research that requires expertise in germ free animals, microbiology and consumables. Operationally this requires training on specialized equipment including autoclaves, isolators, cage washing, etc.
- The GFF Manager will be responsible for managing and training staff on research laboratory duties such as:
- maintenance of mouse colonies and animal husbandry (watering, feeding, cage changing, cage washing, breeding, weaning, etc) with specialized axenic, gnotobiotic and Level II pathogen animal models
- moderate level technical assays and animal model treatments including microbiological, biochemical, genotyping, etc testing. This includes monitoring the development of original experiments
- operations, maintenance and troubleshooting for specialized instruments; bulk autoclaves, anaerobic chambers, cage washers, ovens, bacterial incubators, PCR equipment, gel doc systems, biosafety cabinets, whole body imagers, microscopes, anaesthetic machines, etc.
- monitoring, recording, reporting and assessing animal health, procedures and microbiology
- monitoring and maintenance of the climate parameters within the animal rooms
- moderately complex specialized autoclave preparation of supplies using custom drums, sterilization and sterile importation into isolators, biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, etc.
- procurement of supply inventory for consumables (microbiology, animal husbandry, specialized experimentation, etc) and equipment (stocking, ordering, etc)
- preparation and execution of import permits for cell lines and bacterial strain collections
- highly specialized SOP development/maintenance, along with equipment maintenance, recording and training of staff on SOPs and equipment including isolators, laminar flow cabinets, ventilated caging systems, autoclaves, spray gun, hydrolic lifts, anaesthetic delivery systems and ventilators, biosafety cabinets, etc.
Business Operations:
- Requires management skills and an understanding of Business practices (financial, operational and developmental) internal to the University as they pertain to the IMC GFF neutral processing and specialized laboratory processes
- Requires a broad knowledge of university disciplines, systems, theories and practices and responsible to engage with internal departments such as finance, supply chain management, human resources, safety, facilities, etc.
- Responsible to internal stakeholders and liaise with external vendors for identifying opportunities for the IMC GFF neutral processing and laboratory areas
- Problem Solving: Responsible for identifying and resolving unusual, technical, operational and University issues that requires advanced thought and judgment for the development, implementation, maintenance and sustainability of the IMC GFF neutral processing and specialized laboratory program. This includes independent gain of knowledge in areas that are specialized in order to provide recommendations to the Directors for IMC GFF initiatives at the university. The GFF manager will also lead initiatives and support a collaborative culture within the faculty and the university
Project Management:
- Responsible for managing budgets guided by the Directors for infrastructure and operations for the IMC GFF neutral processing and specialized laboratory processes including development, implementation and sustainability of the program. Responsible for procurement processes guided by the budget and in compliance with the university supply chain management guidelines. In summary, responsible for developing budgets, assessing operational needs, ordering required equipment, supplies & services and managing finance project(s). The GFF manager will:
- Support the Directors in the development and delivery of budget related initiatives within own team
- Produce annual and ad hoc operating budgets and reports
- Develop and implement revenue, funding and cost model
- Advise Directors on budget adjustments and other cost improvement measures
Communication:
- Interpersonal and organizational skills are essential for both internal and external influences that include leaders in academic and business. The GFF manager will:
- Be responsible to negotiate and influence the opinions of others within the University and external to the University including vendors, faculty, management
- Exercise sensitivity to internal and external audiences
- Guide, influence and persuade others either internally or external to the University
- Act as a liaison between the GFF and other stakeholders, both internally and external to the University
- Communicate in a timely, informative and appropriate manner representing the department and the university
- Effectively communicate and interact with personnel at all levels ranging from administrative staffing to faculty and university leaders
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelor Degree in related discipline
- Specialized certification in medical laboratory or equivalent
- Minimum of 12 years related experience and completion of post-secondary education in related discipline
- A combination of education, training, and experience will be considered
- Requires good understanding of concepts, theories and principles in own discipline and basic knowledge of other disciplines
- Proven track record in managing a research laboratory. Experience managing within a germ-free animal research program highly desirable
- Extensive experience in gaining knowledge and knowledge transfer
- Significant experience in communicating effectively with staff, faculty and students at multiple levels and multiple disciplines within the university setting and external to the university
- Excellent organization and analytical skills as well as skills in oral and written communication are mandatory
- Experience in managing the development and implementation of detailed budgets with financial responsibility
- Previous experience, knowledge and skills in project management, planning and fiscal responsibility within the university
- Excellent communication and coaching skills
- Experience with supervising staff and teams
- Applies in-depth understanding of how own discipline integrates within the University
- Requires expert knowledge of university-wide practices and the complexities of the University's organizational structure
- Ability to promote departmental initiatives and programs
- Ability to write clearly and concisely
Application Deadline: April 24, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Research Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments(equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
