Job Description

Staff - Non UnionJob Category M&P - AAPSJob Profile AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level BJob Title Research Manager \xe2\x80\x93 CERC BPIDepartment BioProducts Institute | Dean\'s Office | Faculty of Applied ScienceCompensation Range $6,068.92 - $8,724.25 CAD MonthlyThe Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.Posting End Date May 24, 2024Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.Job End DateThis position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.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.Job SummaryThe UBC BioProducts Institute\'s (BPI) vision is to develop research capacity and educational programs related to the formation of plant-derived materials and pathways for their sustainable transformation into new low-carbon products - predicted to be a $1 trillion market globally by 2030.The UBC BPI is an internationally recognized, multi- disciplinary research cluster of researchers, scientists, engineers, and policy experts from across multiple UBC faculties. The vision of the Institute is to develop world-leading research and educational programs that create a deeper understanding of plant biogenesis, plant cell wall structures and the organisms that operate on them, and to generate novel technologies and products via sustainable transformations.The Research Manager position is an integral part of the BioProducts Institute\xe2\x80\x99s team. This position will manage all research projects, oversee laboratory operations and develop strategic directions for the Principal Investigator (PI) within the Bioproducts Institute and the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Forest BioProducts program. The Research Manager will manage and coordinate research projects that utilize the CERC and related BPI infrastructure and capacities and to ensure all laboratory testing results meet the rigor and targets associated with each research study.The Research Manager will act as an advisor to lab operations to ensure the laboratory consistently meets the demanded standards and requirements. Moreover, the Research Manager will contribute to develop business model for sustained operations of CERC and advancement and later transition from CERC to other funding resources, support outreach efforts and other bioproduct related scientific excellence through business development collaborations. The Research Manager may also see and build up opportunities for prototyping and bringing research projects in the group beyond the laboratory, to derisk and achieve commercialization potential. Activities include strategic developing, directing, grant writing, budget planning and coordinating operational aspects of the research projects and laboratory.Organizational StatusThe Research Manager works independently and directly reports to the BPI director and PI, Dr. Orlando Rojas and serves as a key member of the PI\xe2\x80\x99s lab. The Research Manager is a key participant in designing the lab\xe2\x80\x99s strategy to fulfill the timeline of research studies and provide expertise to all research staff whom need assistance. This position works with various stakeholders both internal and external to UBC and funding agencies, and acts as resource liaison among research teams and collaborators across Canada and Internationally.The Research Manager will ensure that project budgets and reporting requirements will be carried out according to contract requirements to partners and funding agencies, developing project timelines and work plans, and ensuring the administration of activities is successfully carried out against timelines and protocols. The Research Manager will identify potential funding opportunities and develop grant applications. This position will also be responsible for making professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of research work and to ensure the quality of research activities.Work Performed-Coordinates and manages all research and lab operation activities including: overseeing the research projects and budgets, and ensuring reporting requirements are carried out according to contract needs to partners and funding agencies.- Enables new business opportunities by leading engagement initiatives with research or industrial patterners. Continue developing the research group\'s business model so that it will better serve the academic community and increase revenue generation from external collaborations to enable the transition of CERC to other funding resources.-Manages research and evaluate results in the fields of Pulp & Paper, fiber fractionation, biomass valorization and advanced bioproducts. This involves developing project timelines and work plans in collaboration with partners, managing the acquisition of research samples, overseeing data access and analysis, and ensuring that activities adhere to established timelines and protocols.-Utilizes professional expertise to engage in strategic research project planning and meetings and offer strategic recommendations. Implements a structured project management approach to oversee and coordinate all cluster projects, including planning, execution, and monitoring of detailed plans for each project stage.-Directs and oversees research activities, ensuring follow-up on action items and deliverables to achieve project goals and maintain focus on the intended outcome.-Designs research projects by outlining the scope of work and deliverables necessary to achieve the desired outcome, while estimating the time and resources required.-Enforces quality control measures throughout ongoing research, overseeing analyses, data collection, and adherence to research protocols.-Demonstrates diplomacy and leadership abilities to effectively manage and lead team members, ensuring successful completion within the project\'s scope, budget, timeline, and risk parameters.-Oversees the development of research related records, databases and protocols; oversees equipment operation, maintenance, and calibrations, ensure training is provided to personnel and the laboratory and fieldwork facilities are upkept and maintained.-Regularly communicates and collaborates with Dr. Rojas to review documents and identify upcoming funding sources. Identifying potential funding sources and crafting research grant applications.-Monitors internal and external funding announcements to identify potential opportunities, evaluate eligibility criteria, and determine application strategies. Responsible for the drafting and editing of grant applications. Developing and executing compelling grant proposals while adhering strictly to funder guidelines and prerequisites.-Cultivates and sustains relationships with faculty members and staff across diverse departments within UBC, as well as external agencies, associations, and institutions.-Oversees financial and resource allocation concerning laboratory budgets, managing orders and purchases as necessary, and contributing to budget forecasting and preparation for research accounts and grant funding. Offers guidance on cost eligibility for specific projects.-Follows department and institutional finance and research policy and requirements; coordinates with the Department Finance team; VP Research Office and funders to address any issues.-Meets the requirements of Tri-Council and other funding agencies policy and procedures as they relate to research projects within Dr. Rojas\xe2\x80\x99s research team and collaboration network.-Provides training and supervision to postdoctoral fellows, junior research staff, students and visiting faculty and researchers involved in research projects and general lab operations.-Assists research team members in reviewing schedules, budgets, risks, issues, and reporting requirements.-Offers advice to researchers on regulatory requirements for research conduct.-Performs additional duties as needed.Consequence of Error/JudgementThis position requires to make professional decision and recommendations all aspects of research work and is responsible for the quality of research activities. Makes decisions regarding funding sources and the preparation of funding applications. Errors in performance of the above-related duties could have a significant impact on the effectiveness, image, reputation and financial status of the Research Group and the department. Inappropriate judgment could result in loss of potential research and/or infrastructure opportunities, or in funding shortfalls for specific research grants or contracts.Supervision Received
Under the general direction of Dr. Rojas, this position will be expected to work independently in accordance with established objectives; and exercise initiative and judgment in performing all work-related functions.Supervision Given
This position is responsible for providing direction and/or training at UBC to postdoctoral fellows, graduate students; junior researchers and other junior staff within Dr. Rojas\xe2\x80\x99s lab.Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one\xe2\x80\x99s own- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusionPreferred Qualifications

• Masters and PhD graduates in pulp- and paper, fiber engineering, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or related fields, or equivalent experience in industry.
• 6 years\xe2\x80\x99 related experience in Research Project and Lab operations / management
• Demonstrated experience with leadership or management in the form of work. Experience with scientific research, research budget management, hiring, task prioritization, project management, as well as a knowledge of university systems, policies and procedures.
• Technical experience or training in Pulp and Paper research, manufacturing and production is highly desired.
• Familiarity with experimental instruments relating to research in the areas of Pulp and Paper Materials Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
• Strong knowledge in chemical reagents and safety requirements for handling and testing various chemical reagents.
• Management of fee-for-service testing operations is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safe laboratory and field practices, and demonstrated skills for properly operating lab facilities
• Technical knowledge of the laboratory equipment and instrumentation in the area of the bioproduct materials and pulp & paper.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safe laboratory and field practices.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with members of staff, faculty, and senior management.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects/tasks as well as multiple deadlines, prioritize effectively and adapt quickly and efficiently to change.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve them

University of British Columbia