Laboratory Manager

Department:	School of Optometry	Effective Date:
Grade:	USG7	Reports to:	Head of the Multi-Disciplinary Laboratory

General Accountability

This position is accountable to the Head of the Multi-Disciplinary Laboratory for the Research of Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy (MDLRSTDR) for the achievement of research goals through the implementation and management of research protocols and effective data management.

Nature and Scope

The MDLRSTDR is comprised of a team of scientific investigators / researchers, a Laboratory Manager, research associate(s), research fellow(s) and graduate students. The Laboratory Manager has two primary goals: to coordinate the team of research associate(s), research fellow(s) and graduate students; and to fulfill the duties of a research associate. The Laboratory Manager, research associate(s), research fellow(s) and graduate students, all work under the direction of the Head of the MDLRSTDR. Research associate(s), research fellow(s) and graduate students report to the Laboratory Manager regarding day-to-day activities (such as the scheduling of volunteers, facilitating access to shared equipment, following protocols for data back-up, ensuring adherence to established lab protocols) within the MDLRSTDR, while they report directly to the Head of the MDLRSTDR regarding the direction of their research projects. Research associate(s) and research fellow(s) are responsible for the recruitment of research volunteers, collection and management of data and help to further the overall research goals of the MDLRSTDR. Each graduate student is responsible for their own thesis projects, which contribute to the goals of the MDLRSTDR.

The MDLRSTDR is spread across two sites, one within the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo (UW) and one at the Toronto Western Hospital (TWH). The Laboratory Manager position is primarily located at the TWH, although on occasion the Laboratory Manager may be asked to attend meetings at UW. The TWH is a member of the University Health Network (UHN), the teaching hospitals of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. The MDLRSTDR is a sub group of the Vision Science Research Program (VSRP) at TWH and has a close relationship with the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science at the TWH. The MDLRSTDR relies on the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science for the recruitment of study volunteers and, in turn, the MDLRSTDR makes its facilities and equipment available to the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science for appropriate research endeavours, following approval by the Head of the MDLRSTDR. The exchange of scientific and clinical knowledge is also an integral part of the relationship shared by the MDLRSTDR and the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science.

One of the many roles of the Laboratory Manager is to act as a liaison between the MDLRSTDR and the clinical and administrative staff in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science. Since some of the facilities and instrumentation are shared between both groups, it is important for them both to have input in any decisions that would affect both the MDLRSTDR and the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science.

The research done by the MDLRSTDR is clinical in nature and involves human subjects. It is important that the Laboratory Manager is familiar with all the policies concerning research ethics adopted by the UHN. These policies outline a person’s rights as a research participant as well as a patient. It is also important for the Laboratory Manager to be familiar with the privacy policies that have been adopted by the UHN as a result of the Government of Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act of 2004. The privacy policies dictate how research data and patient information is collected and stored. The role of the Laboratory Manager includes ensuring that any research protocols carried out by the MDLRSTDR follow these UHN policies.

Management of all data collected by the MDLRSTDR is another responsibility of the Laboratory Manager. The Laboratory Manager must ensure that adequate tools are available for the storage and organization of the substantial amount of data being collected by the MDLRSTDR. It is also the responsibility of the Laboratory Manager to ensure that proper systems and protocols are in place for data back up. Part of this challenge lies with the instruments utilised by the MDLRSTDR. While some of the instruments allow for easy integration into the information storage system at UHN, others do not. On-going duties for the Laboratory Manager include the integration of the data collected by these instruments into the UHN information storage system.

The MDLRSTDR uses many pieces of specialty equipment (such as the Canon Laser Blood Flowmeter, the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and Flowmeter, the Retinal Thickness Analyzer, the Optical Coherence Tomographer) and supplies. It is important for the Laboratory Manager to maintain a good working relationships with the various manufacturers and suppliers to facilitate technical support, repair and supply services. It is also the Laboratory Manager’s responsibility to ensure that both speciality and typical office supplies are available to the members of the MDLRSTDR so that research projects can be carried out in a timely fashion.

The Laboratory Manager’s duties include those of a research associate, as well as fulfilling the administrative duties required by the MDLRSTDR. The research associate duties of the Laboratory Manager include: being familiar with all research protocols carried out within the lab, patient / volunteer screening for all protocols, being familiar and proficient with all the equipment being used by the lab, being proficient in all technical procedures used in the lab, and data collection and entry.

The MDLRSTDR works in a highly dynamic environment. New scientific knowledge is a factor that constantly affects the direction of the research carried out by the MDLRSTDR. The MDLRSTDR is currently a publicly funded research group. The level of funding determines, in part, the extent and depth of the research being carried out. The Laboratory Manager aids the Head of the MDLRSTDR in the preparation of proposals to acquire further research funding. These duties would include the preparation of study progress reports, assimilation of on-going research results and literature searching.

Statistical Data

The value of materials (e.g. computer disposables) and services (e.g. blood tests) for MDLRSTDR projects on a yearly basis is approximately $68,000. The overall yearly budget of the MDLRSTDR, including salaries and research stipends, is approximately $348,000. The MDLRSTDR serves the following sectors: i). 10 faculty (UW and UofT, including a research fellow). ii). 7 full-time graduate students and 2 part-time graduate students. iii). 6 part-time undergraduate students. iv). 3 staff members (2 full-time and 1 part-time).

Specific Accountabilities

Coordinate a team of research associates and graduate students for the effective achievement of research goals.

Act as the liaison between the MDLRSTDR and the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science at the Toronto Western Hospital.

Ensure that all UHN research ethics and privacy policies are respected.

Ensure effective data management and storage. This task requires the continual sorting and archiving of large amounts of digitized data. It also requires a level of familiarity with computer networks and knowledge of various file types.

Ensure that equipment is properly maintained and that supplies are available to the members of the MDLRSTDR.

Act as a research associate to acquire research data and results for the various studies being run by the MDLRSTDR.