| Department: |
School of Pharmacy |
Effective Date: |
January, 2012 |
| Grade: |
USG 6
37.5 hours per week
|
Reports to: |
Dr. Mamrianna Foldvari |
General Accountability
Under supervision of Dr. Marianna Foldvari, Canada Research Chair in Bionanotechnology and Nanomedicine, School of Pharmacy, the Bionanotechnology Administrative Research Assistant will be responsible for the daily operation and overall support of bench research, editorial, grant and laboratory personnel management as well as activities related to major research endeavours and collaborative projects in the Bionanotechnology and Nanomedicine Research Laboratory.
The incumbent will maintain the equipment and instrumentation and ensure QA/QC of lab operations. This will include the purchasing, maintenance, operation and installation of instruments and supplies. Related duties will include supporting the general operation of the lab and related infrastructure. Direct interaction of undergraduate and graduate students, other staff and visiting scholars will be essential. The candidate will, in consultation with the supervisor, resolve problems relating to the set-up and completion of research projects.
Nature and Scope
The major goal of the Bionanotechnology Administrative Research Assistant is the organization and management of the laboratory in a manner that supports scientific discovery and maximizes learning opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Interpersonal Skills
Internally, makes contact with:
- The supervisor on a daily basis, to discuss day-to-day operations of the bionanotechnology laboratory
- The graduate students within the research group to present and discuss research related information and problems
- Senior staff in the School of Pharmacy, including the Director, Executive Officer and Financial Officer
- Counterparts in other departments in the Faculty of Science including the Dean of Science Office, Chemistry Department and Biology Department.
- Regular interactions with Human Resources, Plant Operations, Finance, Receiving, Procurement and Contract services, Central stores, Chemistry stores, Environmental Safety office, Cooperative Education, Office of Research Ethics, Graduate Studies office, Information Systems and Technology, Library and Research Office staff
- Significant involvement with on-campus Research Centres, including: Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), WATSPEC NMR Facility, Animal Housing Facility and Waterloo Advanced Technology Lab (WATLab).
Externally, has significant interactions with:
- Contractors, manufacturers and suppliers to acquire quotes and purchase all research related equipment, consumables, chemicals and supplies.
- International and Canadian institutions and industrial partners involved in collaborative research projects with the group.
- Institutions offering specialized research services, including: University of Guelph, McMaster University, University of Toronto, University of Saskatchewan, Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Western Ontario.
- Publishers, journal editors, lawyers, clinicians and grant agencies.
- Potential graduate/undergraduate/co-op students and postdoctoral candidates, as well as visiting scientists.
- Shipping and courier services.
Level of Responsibility
The job has highly specialized work with low level of supervision and has direct reporting associated to it.
Statistical Data
- Lab personnel (including high school, undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows): 8-10
- Value of laboratory infrastructure:~$1.5 million
- Collaborative projects: 10+
Specific Accountabilities
The position of the Bionanotechnology Administrative Research Assistant will involve a wide range of different abilities and will require the following specific knowledge and outcomes/skills:
1. Research management functions:
- Advanced methods in spectroscopy, chromatography, confocal microscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles.
- Formulation of liposomal/metallic nanoparticles, creams, emulsions and lotions by sonication, homogenization, mixing/blending techniques
- Maintenance of a mammalian cell culture facility, and related transfection and cellular assays
- Molecular biology and microbiology techniques
- Sample analysis with HPLC, Bioplex and Bioanalyzer methods
- Organic synthesis, purification and analysis of surfactants
- Carbon nanotubes dispersion and characterization (Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, UV-visible spectroscopy)
- In vivo animal studies with mice (handling, housing, treating, anesthetizing, euthanizing, dissecting, isolating organs), including histological sample preparation, long term storage and characterization.
- Analyzing data, including preparing graphs, figures and detailed reports.
- Demonstrating of the proper use of equipment and experimental techniques employed in the bionanotechnology laboratory.
- Overseeing maintenance, repairs and troubleshooting of all laboratory equipment in the research laboratory.
- Maintaining a safe GLP laboratory environment, specifically, (i) by ensuring that all students in the laboratory understand all safety aspects associated both with the chemicals and equipment that are used in their research projects, (ii) by the posting of relevant safety notices and MSDS sheets in the laboratory, and (iii) by ensuring students have all mandatory training required to work in the laboratory space.
- Maintaining all inventory of chemicals, supplies, equipment and research data.
- Overseeing routine day-to-day operation of the laboratory, including supply of materials and chemicals, safety precautions and housekeeping to ensure that research projects are not delayed or limited by the lack of resources.
2. Financial and human resources management, including but not limited to:
- Managing and monitoring the group’s operating budget, ensuring that funds are allocated to support the proposed research activities and personnel; track expenses and income against budgeted amounts
- Reporting and reviewing the group’s financial position with the supervisor on a regular basis
- Ensuring that all operating and research accounts are soundly managed including monthly reconciliation of accounts
- Implementing guidelines on financial policies and procedures and providing financial input to the supervisor regarding the research plan
- Processing travel claims and payment requests, invoices and other financial transactions
- Assisting with the recruitment, evaluation, professional development, and retention of all students and postdoctoral fellows within the group
- Maintaining personnel files and ensuring timely stipend payments
- In consultation with the supervisor, authorizing the purchase of all equipment, consumables and supplies.
3. Administrative leadership, including but not limited to:
- Contribution to the preparation, proofreading, editing, formatting and submission of scientific reports and research articles.
- Interpreting and implementing granting agency guidelines, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures, advising on upcoming funding, report, and manuscript deadlines
- Seeking out grant funding and scholarship opportunities for the group, and assisting with scholarship application, reference and suppport letters.
- Managing and regularly updating the group website.
- Working with and appropriately disposing of highly-sensitive and confidential material.
- Scheduling of on-site room bookings, coordinating meetings and taking minutes
- Coordinating conference and scientific meeting - related travel arrangements (hotel/flight reservations and registrations).
- Providing the supervisor with confidential and strategic advice, information, and data to support decision making
- Serving as a resource within the group for the interpretation and application of research procedures, guidelines and GLPs.
- Conducting laboratory tours for prospective students, visiting scholars or collaborators as required.
- Serving as primary contact for the Graduate Program Coordinator and providing graduate student information and support as needed.
- Liaising with IST to ensure timely rectification of computing and printing issues that may be experienced by supervisor, staff or students.
- Timely research data acquisition, storage and management.
- Setting up new incoming staff and students, including assisting with HR/departmental forms, notebooks and keys administration.
- Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Working Conditions
The position will be located primarily in the Bionanotechnology and Nanomedicine Research Laboratory at the School of Pharmacy and will also include working in the office on administrative and financial tasks. There will be a significant amount of personal interaction with a wide variety of graduate students, collaborators, administrative personnel and other faculty members. There will be occasional deadline pressures, while at the same time there is a demand for thoroughness and accuracy in the performed duties.
Travel: Minimal (to neighboring institutions and/or industrial partners)
Working Hours: Regular working hours, some evening/weekend work may be required
