Laboratory Coordinator

University of Toronto • Scarborough, ON

8d • CA$81,312 - CA$103,986 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Our commitment to inclusive excellence attracts the brightest learners, scholars and employees from around the globe. Our success has been made possible by the opportunity given to us by Indigenous hosts to operate on their territory, and we cherish our continuing partnerships with these communities. The University of Toronto Scarborough is an exciting campus with unlimited potential. Join us on our journey.
The department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) pursues detailed knowledge of the natural world, effective management of natural resources, novel technologies and medical techniques. The department of Biological Sciences is comprised of faculty who are innovative researchers and engaging teachers that make important contributions to society. The Department fosters research and teaching partnerships, along with Co-op programs to create exciting opportunities for hands-on learning and outstanding scholarship at the vibrant, diverse and expanding campus that is UTSC.
This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.
Under the direction of the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory Manager and relevant faculty, the Laboratory Coordinator will provide teaching and technical support services for undergraduate laboratory courses offered at the UTSC campus and the Toronto Zoo, including those focused in the disciplines of microbiology and biochemistry. The job will liaise with faculty, teaching assistants, laboratory technicians and undergraduate students to ensure the smooth delivery of high-quality laboratory exercises. The position will support teaching and/or research labs by being responsible for ensuring cleanliness of the laboratories and teaching preparation rooms, collecting and submitting laboratory grades, organizing and maintaining course content on a learning management system, troubleshooting technical problems, identifying errors and finding solutions with experimental procedures, maintaining and procuring laboratory equipment, ordering, tracking usage and maintaining inventory of supplies and specimens, and providing technical support. Furthermore, this position will also advise faculty on best practices when it comes to teaching and learning, as well as administrative processes and academic technologies. This position will provide support to enrolled undergraduate students by coordinating with appropriate campus offices when required, as well as with the Toronto Zoo, responding to routine enquiries, disseminating pertinent information, and enforcing course policies. The incumbent will be an integral support to our biology laboratory courses, organizing all aspects of the delivery of the laboratory component of these courses, as well as working to resolve and troubleshoot issues to eliminate confusion and any disruption in these courses.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum four years of recent and related experience teaching biology lab courses or supporting biology teaching labs in a university environment or similar setting.
• Minimum two years of experience preparing, assembling and setting-up material, equipment and supplies used in teaching labs.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to coordinate all aspects of an undergraduate teaching laboratory and experience with the administrative and technical aspect of lab work.
• Knowledge of Microbiology and Biochemistry concepts and experiments.
• Hands-on experience with aseptic technique, protein purification and analysis, DNA purification and extraction, PCR, microscopy (compound), cell culture techniques, staining methods, bacterial transformation, microplate readers and micropipettes.
• Experience working with large classes of undergraduate students and numerous teaching assistants.
• Applicants are expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.
• Strong proficiency using Microsoft products (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills and have the ability to exercise sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree in Biology considered a strong asset.
• Experience with laboratory teaching in subject areas microbiology and biochemistry.

Responsibilities

• Acting as the first point of contact for general enquiries and serving as a resource for others by providing guidance when necessary
• Organizing and maintaining course information on learning management system, including collecting, organizing, and submitting grades
• Supporting undergraduate students by coordinating with the Toronto Zoo, AccessAbility office, Academic Advising & Career Centre, and other campus and institutional offices
• Making recommendations based on best practices in teaching and learning in a laboratory environment
• Procuring, preparing, assembling and setting-up material, equipment and supplies used in teaching and/or research labs
• Modifying experimental processes and implementing more efficient ways to conduct experiments
• Ensuring that the material needs of laboratory exercises and/or courses are available on schedule for use by teaching assistants and undergraduate students
• Applying established standards when cleaning lab, rooms and equipment and coordinating routine maintenance of lab equipment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level