City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

Research Program Manager, Bioprocess Automation Lab
(ENG, Biointerfaces Institute)
(JD01389)

Engineering a Brighter Future
https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/

Unit/Project Description

The Biointerfaces Institute at McMaster is an 8,000 sq. ft., shared-user facility that supports the research initiatives of academic and industrial partners.

Reporting to Prof. David Latulippe, the co-director of the BioInterfaces Institute, and working in collaboration with academic and industry partners, the 2-year contract position of Research Program Manager will oversee and coordinate the various research activities within the Bioprocess Automation Lab.

Job Summary

Responsible for applying specialized knowledge to initiate, implement, coordinate and manage large, complex programs of research and evaluation within a unit, centre, or department. Responsible for the overall quality of research programs, the effectiveness of the research program outputs, ongoing research program improvements, and for managing the program budget and forecasting projected resource needs. Collaborates with internal and external partners, stakeholders and manages a variety of relationships.

Purpose & Key Functions

• Conduct primary and secondary research on new program concepts to determine potential fit and viability.
• Develop implementation plans for multiple research projects of various scopes (e.g. local, multi-site, provincial, national and international)
• Develop and critically evaluate concepts and alternatives, and formats for new research programs.
• Provide regular reports to the Principal Investigator(s), make recommendations, and implement feedback and direction.
• In consultation with the Principal Investigators, stakeholders, or partners, develop detailed programs, financial forecasts, business cases and proposals for new suites of research programs.
• Hire, supervise and evaluate highly qualified personnel and subject matter experts engaged in the development of the research program.
• Manage the development of the program.
• Create a program marketing plan.
• Ensure that relevant research methodology is applied to all research programs and all research material is handled in accordance with established protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinate the activities of research staff and resources to ensure that projects progress in accordance with predetermined protocols, budgets, and timelines.
• Write a variety of documents, including, but not limited to, data management and operations documentation for projects (i.e., standard operating procedures).
• Oversee and provide guidance for the design of promotional strategies, knowledge and dissemination efforts, and related materials to encourage participation and support for research projects.
• Oversee and support quantitative analyses of research data.
• Apply specialized knowledge and scientific principles to search, review, critically appraise and interpret published literature.
• Write sections of scientific papers, funding proposals, grants, and abstracts.
• Ensure the accuracy of content and distribution of research program knowledge outputs on websites, social media, and marketing materials.
• Develop program content for department and program website and publications.
• Develop and conduct evaluations within research programs, provide feedback to Principal Investigators, and incorporate feedback into future research program development.
• Update and maintain the accuracy and confidentiality of student records and information.
• Respond to student and instructor needs and inquiries.
• Ensure research staff satisfaction through consistent and continuous engagement.
• Manage the financial aspects of research programs including developing budgets, setting fees, establishing enrolment and financial forecasts, and ensuring maximum productivity.
• Prepare financial reports for funding agencies as needed throughout the fiscal year.
• Remain current with emerging trends in research program development.
• Dissolve research programs that are no longer relevant and create transition plans that manage any impact on current staff and stakeholders.
• Negotiate and prepare contracts and agreements with corporate clients, which include prices, program content, schedule and services.
• Build a network of relationships and collaborate with internal and external groups to raise the profile of the research program and its executives (including, but not limited to, Principal Investigators, subject matter experts, stakeholders, partners) , develop new research program ideas, and build relationships with professional associations and employers.
• Develop and deliver presentations to raise the profile of the research programs internally and externally.
• Coordinate and manage the collection, delivery, entry, verification, analysis, and reporting of data.
• Oversee the design and maintenance of databases, data collection forms, error checking methods, and related programs for collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Oversee the design of research protocols, and their associated applications to the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board, and other external REB’s/IRB’s.
• Use statistical software to prepare basic summary level statistics, demographics, etc.
• Develop estimates of time and resources for research projects.
• Develop informative presentations and training sessions for project personnel and project participants. Present at meetings, seminars, and conferences.
• Keep project participants informed of project progress through regular reports and newsletters.

Supervision

• Provide lead hand supervision and is responsible for the quality and quantity of work of others.
• Ongoing responsibility for hiring and supervising 10 or more casual employees at any one time.
• Provide orientation and demonstrate procedures to train others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 4 years of relevant experience, including one year of supervisory experience.

Assets

• A master’s degree in engineering, biology, or related life sciences field is an asset.
• Experience working in a post-secondary environment is considered a strong asset.

Additional Information

What You Will Do:

• Guide and assist researchers (both undergraduate & graduate students) with analyzing their experimental/modelling results and provide advice regarding the direction of future work
• Participating as needed in experimental lab work
• Contribute to and support the dissemination of our research in journal publications and conference presentations
• Develop and manage the operational schedule for the highly specialized equipment used in biomanufacturing campaigns
• Assist with developing training programs for specialized equipment within the Bioprocess Automation Lab
• Assist with identifying and applying for equipment and operating grants (e.g. ORF-RE) to support the research activities within the Bioprocess Automation Lab
• Assist with annual reporting requirements to the funding agencies (e.g. CFI) that provide financial support for the Bioprocess Automation Lab
• Assist with annual reporting requirements to the university leadership
• Coordinate sharing of technical information and biological materials with our research stakeholders, such as members of the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative and Advanced Biomanufacturing Innovations programs
• Review and edit technical documents (e.g. batch records and SOPs) and legal documents (e.g. material transfer agreements) associated with the research activities within the Bioprocess Automation Lab
• Obtain quotes, make purchases, and coordinate delivery of equipment, consumables, and samples needed for research to be conducted in the Bioprocess Automation Lab
• Supervise the installation and commissioning of new equipment
• Identify opportunities and manage partnerships related to new research activities that align with the Bioprocess Automation Lab
• Assist with planning and execution of outreach activities

The successful candidate must have / demonstrate:

• Excellent organizational and time management skills to handle a high volume of work
• Excellent attention to detail while producing thorough and accurate work
• Strong scientific reasoning, problem solving, and applied statistical skills (e.g. design-of-experiments)
• Proven ability to collaborate in a dynamic team environment, which includes both internal and external partners
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities, processes, or environments
• A high degree of professionalism and integrity

The successful candidate must also have previous experience in the following areas:

• Effective mentorship of graduate and undergraduate researchers towards the successful completion of their degrees
• Proficient application and use of project management tools (e.g. Smartsheet) to manage research timelines, resources, and progress
• Upstream biomanufacturing processes, downstream biomanufacturing processes, and associated analytical tests
• Preparation of equipment/operating grant applications

Hours of Work: Normal University hours of 8:30am – 4:30pm will apply, but due to the nature of the research that takes place within the Bioprocess Automation Lab, occasionally some evening and weekend hours are required during the concentrated periods associated with running a continuous biomanufacturing campaign.

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.