Lab Administrator & Senior Instrument Specialist
About The Position
The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world. The Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto is ranked among the best institutions globally. Our department is internationally regarded for research in fundamental geoscience, having given rise to major advances in a number of areas. Counted among the departmental alumni are many leaders in academia, government, and industry. The Department of Earth Sciences emphasizes a tradition of excellence with a strong focus on research training, field and lab-based experience as a keystone of its comprehensive programs in geology, environmental geoscience and geophysics. The Lab Administrator and Senior Instrument Specialist will operate and manage cutting-edge analytical instrument facilities in the Department of Earth Sciences including daily operations of several high precision isotope ratio instruments (e.g. Thermo Delta Q mass spectrometer, gas cavity ring-down spectrometer, ICP-MS). An important part of this role will also be to train users, including students, to run samples, develop methods and protocols for quality control, and ensure their data are of the highest quality. In addition, the incumbent will oversee a trace-metal clean lab and support the daily operations of departmental laboratories as required. The incumbent will join a vibrant and diverse team of researchers and play an essential role by training future generations of geochemists.
Requirements
- Master of Science in Earth Sciences or related discipline. Ph.D preferred
- Five years hands-on experience operating and maintaining high precision isotope ratio instruments and other laboratory equipment
- Relevant hands-on experience managing the operational needs of instrumental labs and trace metal cleanroom facilities
- Experience training lab users of various expertise
- Experience with quality control of high precision isotope ratio analyses and cleanroom techniques
- Experience drafting documentation detailing lab procedures and best practices
- Experience managing lab accounts, including of ordering lab inventory and resupply
- Experience training lab users on lab safety and safe operations of lab
- Sound technical knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems and how components work
- Strong team-oriented mindset. Ability to work closely with the PI's to ensure that the workflow and scientific direction of the labs align with strategic vision and research mandates
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with timely response to all inquiries
- Excellent organizational skills (both bookkeeping and maintaining tidiness of labs)
Nice To Haves
- PhD degree specializing in Geochemistry
- Cooperative
- Motivated self-learner
- Multi-tasker
- Problem solver
- Responsible
Responsibilities
- Overseeing day-to-day operational needs for one or more labs/workshops
- Assessing needs and contributing to the development of operational plans for various laboratories especially those involving high precision isotope ratio instruments and cleanroom protocols.
- Troubleshooting issues with lab equipment; coordinating routine maintenance of lab equipment, especially instruments capable of high precision isotope ratios.
- Serving as a technical resource on the development of new laboratory protocols; developing manuals on best practices for lab operations; developing protocols for quality assurance and quality control.
- Training students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, collaborators, and other lab users on using high precision isotope ratio instruments and cleanroom techniques. This will also include helping users develop and optimize methods.
- Training students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, collaborators, and other lab users on the safe operation of all lab equipment, ensuring compliance with all safety protocols.
- Coordinating the use of lab equipment and resources with internal and external contacts; liaising with stakeholders
- Monitoring finances, scheduling, inventory, and resupply to ensure smooth lab operation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
