Overview:
The Senior Research Associate is primarily responsible for designing, undertaking and analyzing information from laboratory-based investigations, experiments, and clinical trials, many of which are industry contracts. The incumbent is also responsible for leading the CORE Biosciences Laboratory in safety and regulatory implementation and compliance, as well as for the general functioning, operation, and maintenance of the lab. They are closely involved in all aspects of the research projects undertaken
within the lab to achieve the project deliverables required by the sponsors and granting agencies. This position is contingent upon funding.
This position is contingent on funding.
Responsibilities:
Research
Develops research initiatives and acts as Lead Investigator on industry and internally sponsored research projects using advanced scientific techniques and instrumentation
Collaborates with faculty, sponsors, students, and other people involved in current lab-based studies
Takes responsibility for the day-to-day experiments for ongoing research studies and those about to commence, coordinating projects for efficient use of resources
Conducts research according to regulatory requirements and ensures that data collected are timely and accurate
Develops experimental design, techniques, and procedures for use in research labs
Designs, tests, and validates data collection protocols, tools, and instruments, including problem solving and troubleshooting
Participates in the calibration and standardization procedures for many of the biochemical lab techniques currently used
Implements the evaluation protocols and new developments as appropriate
Provides consultation on data collection and analysis methodologies to all stake holders
Analyzes and presents research data to sponsors and/or at academic conferences
Publishes work in high impact peer-reviewed academic journals
Manages certain aspects of study related issues for all support staff, undergraduate and graduate students
Supervision and training
Participates in the hiring process for casual, co-op, and summer students (with prior approval from Head of Biosciences)
Develops and provides in-depth training of all personnel, including staff, students and outside users, who may occasionally use the lab facilities, which includes arranging laboratory orientations for new staff and students
Instructs faculty, staff, and students in the use of specific equipment and in the performance of various biochemical and laboratory procedures
Recommends and implements programs and initiatives to achieve the desired results of the approved training and mentoring strategy
Supervises and delivers safety training of all “workers”. This includes coordinating safety courses, WHMIS training and radiation safety courses
Ensures all procedures are followed that are required for safe use of radioactive compounds
Participates with other researchers and technicians in lab activities such as sample preparation and data collection, as required. This is often conducted to show others appropriate technique rather than complete experimental procedure
Administration
Provides direction on lab safety and regulatory standards and collaborates with the School of Optometry and Vision Science and the UW Safety Office to implement procedures and conduct inspections
Co-ordinates, prepares and maintains manuals of standard operating procedures for all lab techniques
Acts as a resource for general safety information and maintains the MSDS for the lab
Maintains an efficient working environment including ensuring that lab supplies, consumables, etc. are well stocked
Organizes regular meetings and develops agendas with lab personnel and also with relevant stakeholders
Books and schedules use of lab equipment
Works with CORE clinical staff to accommodate clinical recruitment schedule
Implements the lab procedures towards Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
Communication
Keeps supervisor, other research faculty and CORE personnel informed of relevant information pertaining to research, physical plant, and any shared facilities
Writes reports for supervisor and sponsors of relevant research material
Communicates with the sponsor, faculty, and relevant stake holders (both external and internal) of developments pertaining to the studies underway (e.g., achievement of progress markers, delays in data collection, etc.) and creates project deliverables
Ensures high quality of deliverables through the preparation, presentation and dissemination of concise, accurate reports, fact sheets and other papers associated with the evaluation under study. This includes presenting evaluation results (verbally and in writing) and making recommendations for further development of the program or initiative by synthesizing and transferring knowledge generated by the study in question
Writes/edits scientific publications for accuracy, including data checking, interpretation and presentation of results
Assists with the development of publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at professional meetings
Conducts literature searches and reviews as needed, including consulting with other researchers in the field
Writes, supports and addresses responses to obtain Office of Research Ethics (ORE) approval where necessary
Finance
Purchases supplies and chemicals for all studies
Tracks spending on current projects
Obtains competitive quotes and requests discounts for equipment purchases
Recommends purchases for upcoming projects
Maintains UW credit card (p-card) attached to lab accounts to pay for various purchases
Manages all aspects of resource procurement, including requisitioning and expense payment authorizations for equipment and supplies
Arranges service contracts for vital equipment
Physical plant and shared facilities
Manages facilities, including maintaining and renovating of physical space and maintaining equipment
Co-ordinates and schedules general lab housekeeping with all lab members
Co-ordinates with Optometry administrator and faculty to recommend changes to physical plant
Maintains equipment in good working order including updating departmental purified water system
Co-ordinates with faculty on organization of shared spaces
Liaises with contractors or service personnel for construction or physical plant changes
Continuing education and outreach
Attends relevant educational seminars both on and off campus
Keeps abreast of new technologies that may prove useful to the lab
Develops and delivers suitable programs for different audiences, i.e., Waterloo Unlimited
Qualifications:
PhD in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, biophysics, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
A certificate in first aid or willingness to complete training is required
Three to five years of experience conducting research related to health care is required.
Research experience with ocular tissues, contact lenses, contact lens solutions and the tear film is required
Experience in human sample collection or the willingness to complete training is required
Must have broad experience and demonstrated strong proficiency in wet lab skills necessary to conduct scientific research
Demonstrated proficiency or willingness to be trained in the following research areas (with expertise in a minimum of 3 areas):
Investigative biochemical procedures, such as lipid and protein assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography
Tissue and bacterial culture and aseptic techniques, including primary cultures and transformed cell lines
Surface characterization techniques, such as scanning probe microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance
Structure analysis techniques, such as neutron scattering or X-ray diffraction
Optical microscopy methods, including confocal, bright field, fluorescence, and phase contrast
Human biological sample collections (conjunctival impression cytology, meibum collection, tear collection, and venipuncture)
Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry
Molecular biology and biotechnology techniques, including polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, transformation and transfection, gel electrophoresis, and Western blotting
Research using radioactive and biohazardous materials
The incumbent for this position is periodically required to work outside of core hours, including evenings and
weekends
On-call hours are required outside of normal work hours
Travel can be required for conference presentations, sponsor presentations, and collaborative work with other research teams
Vaccination Requirement Statement:
Effective May 1, 2022, the University suspended its Vaccination Requirement. Prior to May 1, pursuant to this Requirement, all University employees were required to submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (subject to the University’s obligations under the Human Rights Code to accommodate employees who were unable to receive a vaccination). The University’s Vaccination Requirement website can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/coronavirus/return/vaccination-requirement.
The pandemic is ongoing and public health advice continues to evolve. Accordingly, the University reserves the absolute right to reinstate the Vaccination Requirement on short notice, and upon such reinstatement you will be required to comply. You shall also be required to comply with any new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University from time to time, including new policies/requirements related to mandatory employee vaccination. As the University may need to reinstate the Requirement on short notice, it will continue to collect and maintain up-to-date information on employee vaccination status. Please submit your Covid-19 vaccine status (QR code) to: https://checkin.uwaterloo.ca/
Failure to comply with the Vaccination Requirement if it is reinstated, including failure to comply with any future amendments to the Vaccination Requirement, or failure to comply with new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University, including those related to new mandatory employee vaccination, shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.
The requirement to be vaccinated, if reinstated, will be subject to the duty to accommodate pursuant to the Human Rights Code. If you are unable to be vaccinated for reasons related to a ground protected under the Human Rights Code, you may submit a written request for accommodation with an explanation of the reasons and/or any supporting documentation. If you request accommodation, the University may follow up with you for further information if necessary.
Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
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