Job Description

Platform Lead, Omics & Precision Analytics Laboratory (OPAL)
The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) is a rapidly expanding Institute based at the University of Saskatchewan. Our Vision is a world where everyone has access to safe and nutritious food. This is a bold vision, one that we will strive to achieve through investing in our talent. In line with our Mission, we will work with our employees, partners and stakeholders to discover, develop and deliver innovative solutions for the production of globally sustainable food.
We are guided by our Values of: Innovation. Excellence. Collaboration. Integrity. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
PRIMARY PURPOSE
GIFS' OPAL Platform conducts high-throughput genotyping and sequencing (both short-read and long-read) experiments to advance research and innovation through collaborative partnerships and service offerings. The Platform Lead is a critical position for advancing sustainable food security and is responsible for the design, execution, and leadership of the OPAL Platform to transform our technical capabilities into differentiated, leading edge value for our stakeholders and enhance our partnerships.
NATURE OF WORK
Reporting to GIFS' Chief Scientific Officer, you will be responsible for leading the OPAL Platform by developing innovative approaches to provide genomics (genotyping and sequencing) for client-focused, value-added services. You will be a strategic innovative, visionary leader that thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and helps to position GIFS as a global leader advancing food security.
Responsibilities include establishing and maintaining relationships with researchers, collaborators, stakeholders (government and industry), communities, external clients, and other end-users to ensure that OPAL is aligned with GIFS' strategy and is targeting areas of research that create impact. You will develop and grow the OPAL team and be responsible for the full career cycle of the employees. The Platform Lead will present to senior leadership, including but not limited to the GIFS Board, International Sciences Advisory Panel, and the Executive Leadership Team as well as to customers.
Your success requires you understand the interconnectedness of GIFS and the impact that changes and operations have on all the platforms, programs, clients, and the reputation of GIFS. Key characteristics of the role include a strong commitment to safety, leading change management, and team leadership through exemplification of GIFS' values. Other characteristics include well-developed organizational and project management skills, the ability to establish and maintain relationships as well as to influence others while implementing difficult and challenging decisions. Agility, speed, communication and focus are essential to achieving milestones, deliverables, and outcomes.
ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Establish and implement automated, high-throughput laboratory workflows. Create, optimize, and manage hand's-on and automated workflows to support high-throughput activities for sequencing and genotyping.
• Implement and maintain a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to support research activities and integrate with a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) as required.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize data related to overall performance to facilitate Quality Control and Process Improvement.
• Manage the implementation of programs, activities, and systems to support the delivery excellent customer service through optimal and timely services to both internal and external researchers, partner organizations, collaborators, and clients.
• Manage the employee career cycle through activities such as: recruitment, retention and separations, orientation, and onboarding, coaching and performance feedback, supporting professional growth, training, and development, managing performance, and addressing disciplinary matters.
• Partner with the Business Lead to develop and promote the OPAL research services and innovation capabilities through research grants, conferences, invited talks, etc. to support business development activities with established and prospective academic and industry partners; encourage and facilitate industry interactions, including research engagements.
• Promote engagement of services provincially, nationally, and internationally across the bioscience community with institutional partners, collaborators, and external clients by being an ambassador for GIFS.
• Lead by example with a commitment to continuous improvement and GIFS values.
• Advise and monitor service agreements understanding the full cost of OPAL operations including the short- and long-term equipment and technical needs.
• Work with the Business Development team in identifying funding opportunities; provide technical review and support for developing co-funding for grant submissions and funding opportunities to support the growth of GIFS.
• Facilitate communication among the OPAL team, GIFS, clients, the research community, and key stakeholders.
• Identify strategic alliance partners aligned with our programs and develop long-term, sustainable relationships.
• Foster and promote a culture of innovation by dedicating time for innovation within the platform ensuring OPAL and GIFS remain on the leading edge.
• Participate in the Scientific Leadership Team and help in defining, supporting, and implementing scientific and strategic direction for the Institute.
• Participate in the GIFS Leadership Team helping to inform and drive the institutional goals as well as disseminate information across GIFS.
• Other accountabilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD or master's degree in a relevant subject area such as, plant sciences, animal sciences, health, genetics, biochemistry or genomics.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the technical management of operations in a life sciences laboratory, experience in industrial laboratory preferred
• Experience with project management, QC/QA, GLP, product development, and/or innovation projects, ideally in the ag biotechnology ecosystem.
• Experience with current sequencing techniques.
• Experience leading and developing teams.
• Experience with research funding models and processes.
• Industry-focused business development and/or marketing experience along with a strong understanding of both academic and industry environments is highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in building relationships with diverse constituencies and being a part of negotiating teams to establish agreements.
• The ideal candidate will have direct experience in bridging invention to market-impacting innovation.

SKILLS

• A proven leader and innovative problem solver capable of overcoming challenging and complex issues in a fast-paced environment and growing market.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to convey complex technical ideas to non-specialist audiences.
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively within a high achieving team environment.
• Sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and professional integrity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain professional relationships that support exceptional collaboration.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and present information with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse working environment.

Department: Global Inst for Food Security
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 10
Posted Date: 6/3/2025
Closing Date: 7/14/2025
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Mxc3xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Mxc3xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan. '