Laboratory Manager, Groundwater Geochemistry and - Waterloo, Canada - University of Waterloo

University of Waterloo

Verified Company

Waterloo, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Overview:

The Groundwater Geochemistry and Remediation Laboratory Manager will provide technical and scientific expertise for development, execution and coordination of research projects related to the geochemistry of inorganic and organic environmental contaminants in the fields of mining, industrial waste management, and agriculture.

The Laboratory Manager will provide leadership and oversight for laboratory and field experiments/data collection, analytical instrument operation, and data analysis, including QA/QC and training of graduate students, undergraduate students and technicians, and will assist the Principal Investigators (PIs) with funding acquisition and deliverables.

This role is contingent upon funding.

Responsibilities:

Laboratory Administration

Assist in development, design, setup, monitoring and summation of research projects
Coordinate safety and compliance training and procedures for laboratory operations
Prioritize and manage laboratory workflow based on researcher needs and laboratory efficiency
Periodically evaluate staffing needs of the laboratory for efficient and effective operation
Support and participate in technical training (e.g., demonstrations) for graduate and undergraduate students and visiting fellows and researchers
Contribute to the preparation of scientific reports and articles
Conduct literature searches, review and assist in preparation of manuscripts and make informal and formal presentations
Respond to inquiries about services
Communicate with laboratory customers regarding laboratory services, analytical needs, sample status, and analytical results
Perform other administrative duties as needed to further the mission and goals of PIs

Financial Administration

Manage financial and budgetary resources of the Groundwater Geochemistry and Remediation Research Group (laboratory finances)
Manage laboratory inventory, and purchase supplies and oversee purchasing and budgeting for laboratory operations
Ensure laboratory operates in a fiscally responsible and financially stable condition
Participate in the establishment and evaluation of fees for laboratory services
Prepare invoices for analytical services, track billing and receivables

Laboratory Oversight

Oversee, mentor, and provide guidance to a research team that includes students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and highlevel performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback
Develop and maintain records (including electronic databases and paper files) with results of laboratory analyses and appropriate ancillary data for purposes including the storage, maintenance, tracking, reporting, and archiving of sample related information
Maintain laboratory data base and ensure reporting as per requirements of funding agencies

Laboratory Operations

Ensure maintenance of analytical laboratories and infrastructure for a suite of sophisticated instrumentation focused on analysis of aqueous, gaseous, and solid samples
Application of sample preparation and extraction techniques for geochemical analysis. Use of filtration, freezedrying, direct precipitation, ion exchange, ultrafiltration, dissolved gas extraction and automated analytical techniques
Quantification of dissolved constituents using: inductivelycoupled plasma optical emission spectrometers (ICP-OES); quadrupole ICP mass spectrometers (Q-ICPMS); highresolution ICP
MS (HR-ICPMS); a multicollector ICP-MS (MC-ICPMS); two highperformance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometers (HPLC-MS); ion chromatography systems (IC); a total mercury analyzer; and a laser ablation system
Use of data acquisition software (e.g., Chromeleon, ChemStation, Galaxy) and management of research databases
Establish laboratory quality assurance and quality control standards through laboratory experiments and testing, and where appropriate involve interlaboratory proficiency assessments
Establish and implement scientific methods, protocols, and procedures through research and laboratory experiments for gas and isotopic analysis of gaseous and aqueous samples
Conduct experiments to develop and improve new and existing methods and procedures when needed
Introduce new computer software and technology to laboratory operation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory processes, enhance data quality, and reduce operational costs
Prioritize equipment needs of the laboratories including maintenance and acquisition
Write and maintain the technical procedures (SOPs) and records for all techniques including QA/QC procedures

Laboratory Safety

Ensure the safety of students and staff. Coordinate and document safety and maintenance services (e.g., periodic eye wash and safety shower assessments, monitoring performance of autoclaves, vac