Laboratory Director

Department:	Mechanical Engineering	Effective Date:	July 5, 2005
Grade:	USG 13	Reports to:	Chair

General Accountability

The Laboratory Director is functionally responsible to the Chair of the Department to provide laboratory support and service for the Department of Mechanical Engineering relating to all teaching and research activities. The Laboratory Director provides leadership in devising and initiating methods and systems to maintain a creditable level of experimental, teaching, and research facilities, and to do this in a safe and efficient manner.

The Laboratory Director supervises 13 technical staff and provides direction for the technical staff to achieve their respective expectations in an efficient and harmonious working environment. Expectations, in this regard, include effective service to the students and faculty in support of teaching and research.

The Laboratory Director is also responsible for executing all building renovations and for the maintenance, and interdepartmental and external utilization of Mechanical Engineering laboratory services and equipment.

The Laboratory Director is responsible under the general direction of the Chair of the Department for providing technical leadership to the Department, and must possess excellent technical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. A university degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, or equivalent education and experience is required.

Nature and Scope

Organizational Relationships

The Chair, Deputy Chair, Associate Chairs, Director of Mechatronics, Laboratory Director and the Administrative Assistant provide the operational management of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The Laboratory Director reports directly to the Chair of the Department and provides technical leadership to support the teaching and research activities of the Faculty and Students. The Laboratory Director, the Administrative Assistant and the Department Secretary report to the Chair.

The Laboratory Director supervises 13 technical staff including 3 IST personnel, 2 Electronic Technologists, 1 Research Specialist, 1 Design Engineer, 1 Materials Characterization Specialist, and 5 Laboratory Technicians. The management function of the Laboratory Director is challenging and sensitive. It involves organization and maintenance of teaching and research facilities, personnel, and laboratories, and the effective utilization of technical assistance, equipment, and space.

Statistical Data

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has a complement of 42 tenured, and probationary faculty, 14 technical staff, 9 administrative staff, and numerous adjunct faculty, visiting scholars, and post-doctoral fellows. The Department of Mechanical Engineering over the next one to two years will grow to a complement of 48 tenured, and probationary faculty, 17 technical staff, and 10 administrative staff. The Department offers several undergraduate, and graduate programs including a BASc (Mechanical Engineering), BASc (Mechatronics Engineering), MASc, MEng, and PhD. Enrolment in the undergraduate programs is approximately 860 students. The annual first year intakes for Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering are 185 and 110, respectively. The undergraduate enrolment has already started its increase from 860 students to approximately 1400 students. The current graduate enrolment of the Department is approximately 200 students and the graduate enrolment will increase to approximately 320 students over the next several years. The Department focuses its teaching and research activities in five areas including Automation and Control, Fluid Mechanics, Machine Design and Solid Mechanics, Materials Engineering and Processing, and Thermal Engineering.

Major funding sources for research include CFI (Canada Foundation for Innovation), CRC (Canada Research Chair), NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada), OIT (Ontario Innovation Trust), ORDCF (Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund), PREA (The Premier’s Research Excellence Awards Program), and numerous national and international companies. The Department has a significant amount of contract funding.

Specific Accountabilities

The Laboratory Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation of all Mechanical Engineering laboratories.
The Laboratory Director supervises, coordinates, develops, and evaluates all technical staff in Mechanical Engineering.
The Laboratory Director oversees the scheduling of all undergrad laboratories and research activities.
The Laboratory Director coordinates and maintains equipment for undergraduate projects.
The Laboratory Director advises on and assists in the purchase, maintenance, and repair of laboratory equipment.
The Laboratory Director advises and assists in the utilization of space and renovations.
The Laboratory Director acts as primary liaison with Plant Operations, the university architects, and external contractors with respect to all new construction and renovations in Mechanical Engineering.
The Laboratory Director oversees the instruction of teaching assistants, research assistants and graduate students in the correct use of equipment in all Mechanical Engineering laboratories.
The Laboratory Director ensures the safe handling and operation of all laboratory equipment (as per WHMIS safety procedures) and ensures compliance with all safety-related University and other policies and practices.
The Laboratory Director establishes and maintains proper safety practices and procedures in all laboratories in Mechanical Engineering.
The Laboratory Director maintains an inventory of all Mechanical Engineering equipment.
The Laboratory Director, when required, acts as liaison with industrial research partners performing contract research with the laboratory.
The Laboratory Director oversees the supervision of co-op and undergraduate students in applying in-class theoretical knowledge in the practical laboratory environment.
The Laboratory Director attends Department meetings and hold regular meetings of the technical staff to keep them apprised of current issues.
The Laboratory Director serves as the primary liaison between the Department and the technical staff and will foster open communication on current matters within the Department.
The Laboratory Director performs other duties as assigned from time to time by the Chair of the Department.