Job Description

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Title

Manager, Scientific Research & Lab Operations

Job ID

70481

Location

McMaster Innovation Park (MIP)

Open Date

07/07/2025

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

07/11/2025

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

FHS Health Evidence and Impact

Salary Grade/Band

Band M

Salary Range

$101466.00 - $152200.00 (annual)

Contract Duration

12.3 Months

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, On-site

Education Level

PhD in a related field such as clinical biochemistry

Career Level

5-8 years of managerial experience in a research laboratory setting

Unit/Project Description:

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is a national study and research platform started in 2015 that collects data on Canadians aged 45 to 85 at baseline. every three years. The CLSA includes a nationwide infrastructure that supports the ongoing collection, storage and analyses of questionnaire data, images and biological samples from eleven Data Collection Sites (DCS) located across Canada. Dr. Parminder Raina is a Professor in the Department of Health Evidence and Impact, and Lead Principal Investigator (PI) of the CLSA. The CLSA's National Coordinating Centre (NCC) and Biorepository and Bioanalysis Centre (BBC) are located at McMaster.



The BBC is the enabling unit that provides support for all biospecimen collection, shipping and analysis for participant samples. It is directed by Dr. Cynthia Balion, CLSA Co-Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at McMaster University. The biorepository is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). It houses 31 cryofreezers, two -800C freezers and a humidity controlled ambient storage system for dried blood spots. The bioanalysis laboratory includes instrumentation for biochemical and cellular analysis including a high-throughput robotic platform as well as a tissue culture room with a flow cytometer.

Job Summary:

The Manager plays a critical role in the leadership and supervision of the Biorepository and Bioanalysis Centre (BBC) of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Key responsibilities include: mentoring students ; training and managing BBC staff; implementing lab best practices and techniques; ensuring standard operating procedures (SOPs) are adhered to; maintaining shared infrastructure; and, assisting the Director of the BBC and other members of the CLSA's with strategic planning related to research, scientific direction, grant applications and development of strategic partnerships. The Manager is also responsible for overseeing lab compliance and safety, and management of multiple research program budgets.

Accountabilities:

1. Strategic Planning:

The Manager participates in strategic planning, and initiates procedures and policies in the BBC. In collaboration with the Director of BBC, develops and implements short-term and long-terms plans to ensure effective and efficient use of laboratory equipment and resources. The Manager develops comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, resource allocation and budget requirements. The Manager also participates in public-relations activities on behalf of the BBC, including leading meetings and tours with participants, vendors and researchers, as well as government officials. This role would be main point of contact for all public-relations activities to validate and provide background information about the BBC.



2. Human Resources Management:

The Manager is directly responsible for the human resources planning and administration through direct supervision of the research staff in the BBC (students, Unifor staff, PDFs) and provision of guidance to others in the reporting area. The Manager oversees the reviews of all new staff positions, approves changes in employee status, performs annual reviews of reporting staff, approves revisions of job descriptions, and ensures compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures. The Manager evaluates need and recommends reallocation of resources, ensures internal equity for remuneration of staff, and advises staff and faculty on human resources and applicable labour statutes.

In addition to Human Resources oversight, the Manager provides technical advice and guidance over all experiments / analyses performed in the lab, including support with design and use of equipment in experiments / analyses.



3. Health & Safety & Compliance

The Manager is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment in the BBC. They are responsible for delivery of safety training applicable to the BBC spaces, review of laboratory safety reports and recommendations for best practices with regards to health and safety, including the delivery of training and instructions on health and safety matters. The Manager also maintains records of SOPs and ensures that students and staff have received appropriate Health and Safety & SOP training prior to being granted access to the BBC. The Manager trains researchers to use experimental equipment and ensures lab compliance is up-to-date per internal and external regulations and submits annual renewals as required.



4. Physical Resources Management:

The Manager reviews objectives and makes recommendations for efficient utilization of research space. The Manager maintains laboratory space inventory and interacts with other departments for required services to the building such as renovations, security, emergency responses, etc, all while ensuring compliance with university and government regulations.

The Manager will assist and provide advice as needed, to faculty and staff in the acquisition of equipment. The Manager will have primary responsibility for interactions with internal university units (e.g. Facility Services, EOHSS), and external suppliers and service providers (e.g. equipment vendors), during regular support, acquisition, and special projects.



5. Technical and Project Management:

The Manager is responsible for working with the Director of BBC in developing new industry contacts, maintaining existing institutional / agency contracts, managing research projects, developing grants to apply for government or industry funding for research projects, preparation of project reports, and providing potential clients with tours of the facilities. The Manager instructs staff and students on laboratory procedures and instrument / equipment usage, as needed, and determines what type of additional training is necessary (i.e. courses, workshops, seminars).

In conjunction with the Director, this role is the primary relationship holder for industry contacts and would be responsible for developing the SRA and budget for the partner company to review. The Manager is responsible for the design of experiments in conjunction with other research staff in the unit.



6. Financial Management:

The Manager develops, recommends and implements the annual operating budget for the BBC in the Department of Health Evidence and Impact in collaboration with the FHS Finance team and Director.

Supervision:

2+ Postdoctoral Fellows; 10+ Research Staff

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the "Dish With One Spoon" wampum agreement.


The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.


The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Metis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.


As part of McMaster's commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.


Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact the following to communicate accomodation needs:

Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or * School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679