Job Description

Staff - Union
Job Category
CUPE 116
Job Profile
CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4
Job Title
CHBE Undergrad Lab Coordinator
Department
Administrative Executive | Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science
Compensation Range
$5,439.00 - $5,910.00 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
December 31, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
January 13, 2027


This is a leave replacement for a fixed term duration.

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.
Summary

This position provides technical support to the teaching laboratories within the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering (CHBE). This includes assisting CHBE lab instructors in delivery of all CHBE undergraduate lab courses by planning, preparing and setting up the teaching laboratory experiments as well as supervision of undergraduate Work- Learn students. This position is also responsible to the management of departmental shared lab space and facilities. Main duties include management of laboratory environments, purchasing of supplies and equipment for the teaching labs and shared lab facilities (such as analytical lab, balance room, water room, etc.). Provides support to the CHBE Safety Program within the CHBE building with respect to the teaching and shared labs space. Acts as back up to the Safety Program Officer.



Organizational Status

Reports to the Director Administration, Academic Programs and Resources. Works closely with CHBE lab course instructors, teaching assistants (TA's), departmental workshop staff, CHBE Safety, Stores and Technical Coordinator. Liaises with outside vendors when purchasing supplies and equipment as well as arranging equipment maintenance.



Work Performed
Support to Teaching Labs:performs various complex technical tasks in preparing, overseeing undergraduate and graduate teaching laboratories in CHBE initiates, implements and adapts procedures to meet various situations consults with and advises CHBE lab course instructors regarding design of experiments and equipment in laboratory teaching analyzes and solves operational and design problems inspects and maintains teaching lab experimental equipment and instrumentation to ensure that quality and standards are met and that equipment operates within prescribed tolerances develops overall lab schedule for each academic term and summer term including experiments to be operated for each course and outreach opportunities.

- coordinates and oversees the set- up of the laboratory experiments for lab courses including preparation of equipment, experimental stations, chemical solutions, waste handling, glassware, computers and all apparatus required for experiments. Test runs equipment to verify operability before labs.after lab sessions, cleans and restores equipment and lab facilities in preparation for subsequent lab sessions including manages disposition of chemical and biological wastes in accordance with UBC waste handling to keep lab facilities in orderly condition. Coordinates with Workshop for equipment maintenance and repairs as required. provides instructional information and assistance to the lab instructors and TA's including preparation and revisions of manuals and other documentation demonstrates safe practices and other lab techniques to students and researchers as required trains and supervises summer and term Work Learn students in areas of responsibility, including planning & preparing work schedules and assignments. Ensure students are trained on safety. advises in ongoing development and efficiencies of laboratory facilities oversees the ordering and upkeep of parts and materials and maintenance contracts for designated equipment and instruments obtains quotations and negotiates with vendors for the purchase of new laboratory instruments and equipment purchases chemicals, biological samples, consumable supplies, computers and equipment maintain inventory records of supplies, chemicals, computers and equipment supervises, coordinates and oversees the servicing and maintenance of instruments, ensuring calibrations, repairs and preventative maintenance and routine servicing are conducted. Maintain logs for the use and service schedule of instruments and equipment trains authorized researchers on the use of teaching lab equipment

- organizes and coordinate annual summer teaching laboratory clean- up and refreshparticipates in planning with instructors of teaching lab equipment renewal and refurbishment, replacement or installation of new equipment and coordinates with CHBE workshop to complete plans. maintain experimental equipment computers and software including coordinating software updates; and manage inventory of computers tracks and analyzes lab related expenses

Safety:serves as an active member of the CHBE Health & Safety committee and related subcommittees serves as CHBE Floor Warden ensures safe working conditions are followed and promote safe working practices in compliance with UBC, WCB and WHMIS in the Teaching labs and departmental shared lab facilities maintains hazardous materials inventory in teaching labs and departmental shared lab facilities. Monitors and coordinates safe storage and handling of hazardous materials in the UG teaching labs. provides technical support in laboratory safety and working with hazardous materials maintains MSD sheets in teaching labs and departmental shared lab facilities participates in safety orientation in the teaching labs acts as back up to the Safety Program Officer

Administrative and Other Duties Relating to Departmental Shared Research Facilities:advises in ongoing development and efficiencies of department shared research facilities and resources oversees the ordering and upkeep of parts and materials and maintenance contracts for designated equipment and instruments obtains quotations and negotiates with vendors for the purchase of new laboratory instruments and equipment. purchases chemicals, consumables, supplies and equipment maintains the inventory records of supplies, chemicals and equipment administers a log regarding the use and service schedule of equipment

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Responsible for decisions regarding daily operation of teaching and departmental shared facilities. Takes initiative in determining space and equipment requirements, experimental time frames, taking in account the financial aspects involved and whether hazards may be involved. Mistakes could affect integrity of academic education, create safety issues, result in equipment damage or result in unexpected costs.
Responsible for ensuring safe practices are in place in compliance with WCB and WHMIS required by all persons working in laboratories within area of responsibility. Mistakes could result in human health and safety risks in the laboratories in the CHBE building
These decisions could ultimately affect the faculty, department and/or researcher s financial budgets.

Supervision Received

Works independently with minimum supervision, however, does receive direction from lab course instructors and Manager, Administration on higher level tasks and decisions.



Supervision Given

Directly supervises work learn and summer students in areas of responsibility.



Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion


Preferred Qualifications
Graduate degree. University degree (B.Sc. or BASc.) in Chemical, Chemical and Biological Engineering or related engineering field required, training in chemistry laboratory management, laboratory audit and related activities. Minimum of 4 years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Extensive practical and theoretical knowledge gained through a minimum of four years of relevant experience. Experience in setting up and conducting undergraduate laboratories and carrying out research in Chemical & Biological Engineering. A thorough knowledge of safe experimental procedures and practices and their application. Required skills and knowledge:Ability to solve complex problems and to plan work with multi-parameters. Ability to exercise a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility and initiative in the use of protocols and in coordinating various on-going functions and activities in the teaching laboratories. Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, decision-making, and organizational skills Ability to develop documentation and provide written manuals and lab instructions Good work ethic, accuracy, attention to detail Ability to multi-task, and to work both independently and within a team environment.

- Ability to operate and routinely maintain laboratory equipment, analytical instruments and apparatus and procedures used in conducting undergraduate laboratories and research in Chemical & Biological Engineering. The instruments and equipment include: GC, HPLC, FTIR, spectrophotometers, pH meters, high pressure/high temperature vessels, pumps, sieve shakers, microscopes, autoclave, incubator- shakers and centrifuges and chemical engineering unit operations including distillation, refrigeration, heat exchangers, etc.An extensive knowledge of HSE, WHMIS, WorkSafe BC and all aspects of safety regulations related to working with chemicals and hazardous materials. * Proficiency in computer applications with working knowledge in Microsoft office suite and Workday; knowledge of lab specific software.