Laboratory Coordinator

McGill University

8d•CA$35 - CA$43•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Coordinator oversees the day-to-day operations of a large undergraduate Chemistry laboratory supporting high-enrolment courses, ensuring operational efficiency and quality of outputs. The incumbent participates in the development and implementation of laboratory procedures and experiments, and provides technical guidance and troubleshooting support to instructors, teaching assistants, and students. The incumbent coordinates laboratory logistics, equipment, and inventory, while maintaining safety standards and performing maintenance and calibration of specialized instrumentation. This position requires working on-site Monday to Friday. The work schedule may be subject to change in accordance with the needs of the Chemistry Laboratories. This is a 1-year leave replacement.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree required; Chemistry or Biochemistry is strongly preferred.
Bilingual; excellent verbal and written communication skills, in both English and French.
Demonstrated experience in a teaching or research laboratory setting and knowledge of safety rules.
Hands-on experience with specialized instrumentation with the ability to maintain, modify, design troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instruments and equipment.
Proven ability to coordinate laboratory operations, manage competing priorities, and ensure timely delivery of high-volume course activities.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to diagnose technical issues, refine procedures, and implement practical solutions in a teaching lab environment.
Service-oriented, with demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, and a commitment to supporting users.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, such as instructors, students and staff.
High level of proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook), Windows.
Bachelor's Degree - Biology
2 Years Related Experience
Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.

Responsibilities

Oversees the day-to-day operations of a large undergraduate Chemistry laboratory that runs simultaneously 2 high-enrolment courses.
Maintains operational efficiency and output quality standards across all laboratory functions.
Participates in the development and implementation of laboratory procedures and work methods.
Participates and advises lab instructors in the development of new experiments.
Organizes and coordinates the overall logistics required for the integration of those new experiments into the academic course programs.
Establishes priorities and monitors timeline compliance.
Prepares budget projections and associated cost estimates.
Examines, tests, and refines procedures to account for the implementation of new instrumentation and/or modifications to experimental procedures.
Conducts literature reviews to identify and adapt methodologies.
Determines equipment requirements and arranges for their acquisition.
Collects experimental and analytical data, creates spreadsheets and documentation, and collaborates with supervisors to analyze and interpret findings.
Maintains comprehensive records and documentation systems.
Collaborates with lab instructors to define lab objectives and requirements.
Identifies equipment needs and arranges for procurement of equipment and supplies.
Makes recommendations to improve lab efficiency.
Oversees and actively participates in all laboratory preparation and equipment setup, from preparation of chemicals and materials to workstations and glassware cleaning.
During the lab periods, serves as technical resource, troubleshoots issues, and provides instructions to Teaching Assistants (TAs), including technical support and guidance on procedures, equipment operation, experimental techniques, and results interpretation.
Functions as liaison between instructors, TAs and students.
Organizes, distributes and validates work performed by support staff, including Teaching Assistants and casual lab helpers, while contributing to their skills development and training.
Provides advanced specialized technical support and training on instruments and experimental procedures.
Collaborates with other technical employees in the Chemistry Teaching Laboratories to share expertise, provide mutual support, and leverage collaborative approaches.
Enforces safety protocols for equipment usage.
Ensures proper protocols for storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous substances.
Assesses lab equipment needs and ensures appropriate inventory on MyLab.
Evaluates and procures equipment and materials.
Performs basic and advanced equipment maintenance and repairs, and schedules professional servicing.
Executes specialized technical procedures within area of specialization.
Stays current with field advancements to maintain and enhance professional competencies.
Operates specialized instrumentation including High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Infrared Spectroscopy, UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Spectrophotometers, Vernier data collection interfaces with accessories (pH, temperature, conductivity, pressure, colorimeter, etc.), Microwave Digestor, Autotitrator, Karl Fisher apparatus.
Performs advanced maintenance and calibration of those instruments.
Advises supervisors on required repairs and maintenance.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
Competitive vacation policy
Two (2) personal days
Two (2) floating holidays
Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
Paid time off over the December holiday period
Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits