Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level D

Job Title

Research Manager

Department

Vallance Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$9,048.67 - $14,114.17 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

September 30, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

November 30, 2026

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.

Note: Only the Full Time Compensation Range is displayed on the job posting details advertised on the UBC Career sites.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Gut4Health initiative aims to establish the first microbiome profiling core at the BC Children hospital. The microbiome profiling core is designed to study the gut microbiome to help predict, prevent and treat many common diseases such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and C. difficile infection. The gut microbiome of patients can be profiled to determine if there are key good bacteria that are missing or bad bacteria that are too numerous. This information will enable new approaches to develop new and safe microbiome-based therapies. Funding for the Gut4Health initiative derives from the generous donations from the mining community through the Mining for Miracles Program.

The position is responsible for providing comprehensive strategic oversight and management in all areas of administration to the Gut4Health initiative as well as the Vancouver node of the newly formed Canadian National Organoid Network (CNON)- funded by the Weston Family Foundation. These areas include research, strategic planning, human resources, financial planning, communications, space/infrastructure. The candidate must be knowledgeable about the external and internal issues that affects Gut4Health and needs to foster and maintain excellent relationships with key personnel both within and outside of BCCH and UBC.

In addition, the research manager works closely with Dr. Bruce Vallance (Program Director) in the creation and management of a common vision, strategy and roadmap to set up and establish the microbiome profiling core.

Organizational Status
This position provides management and facilitation service to the Gut4Health initiative and Canadian National Organoid Network (CNON - Vancouver node). It provides leadership, direction and oversight for all research projects of Gut4Health and CNON in support of the Program Director. The Research Manager reports to the Program Director (Dr. Bruce Vallance). External interactions will be at the local, national and international levels with other cores, departments, research organizations, community organizations, university, and research institute personnel.

Work Performed

Gut4Health and Canadian National Organoid Network (CNON)

• Collaborates with Dr. Vallance to direct, develop and implement a strategic plan and timelines to meet the goals and objectives identified to sustain the Gut4Health Microbiome Core.

Research:

• Leads the development and implementation of innovative research strategies and practices that position the core as a nation al leader is the center of microbiome research, driving advancements in scientific understanding and elevating its reputation as a premier center for microbiome research in BC and Canada.

• Provides leadership and project management for all research projects-

• Designs and facilitates collaboration with other research groups (academic and industry) and establish the infrastructure for multi-center or multi-university research projects

• Handles the submission of research proposals for grant submissions as required

• Provides leadership to multimillion-dollar research and capital grant application processes, includes management of grant processes with outside agencies and seeking UBC approvals.

• Prepares official reports for granting agencies and the University as required

• Acts as the point of contact for the Gut4Health Program and Canadian National Organoid Network (CNON)

• Develops, analyzes, designs, and optimizes lab processes, workflows, operational best practices, and management of reagent consumption. Establishment and oversight of a digital inventory system for lab supplies, chemicals, and cell lines.

• Develops new approaches to build a strong microbiome community in BC with Gut4Health as a core component of the research community

Strategic Planning:

• Provides leadership and direction in problem solving, project planning, management and development as well as execution of identified goals, priorities and objectives
• Manages the research program to ensure long-term viability of the microbiome profiling core and Canadian National Organoid Network (CNON) by proactively identifying appropriate research collaborations opportunities (both academic and industry)
• Crafting viable business and education plans for a self-sustaining core

Human Resources:

• Directs the management of human resources for Gut4Health initiative, including recruiting, training, managing, terminating staff
• Develops and revises all support staff job descriptions in accordance with the operational plan

Financial Planning:

• Provides strategic advice with respect to project grant budgets and other associated financial matters
• Ensures compliance, transparency and due diligence with grant finances, including cost recovery and cost sharing opportunities
• Responsible for procurement of large scale equipment and negotiate large scale reagent and consumables for molecular/cell biology research for the research program

Communications:

• Assesses internal communications needs and develops strategies to encourage transparency, collaboration and dialogue

• External communications involves working with collaborators and stakeholders to develop knowledge mobilization strategies. This includes conducting assessments for each unique project and each target audience - to most effectively communicate research findings for maximal benefit of each audience. It also includes, but is not limited to presentations at conferences, written reports, educational meetings and workshops, press releases, website pages, and webinars

• Communicates with project investigators, stakeholders and decision makers

• Serves as an ambassador for the Gut4Health Program and Canadian Organoid Network (CNON) in interactions with key stakeholders, national and international partners, and community

• Liaises with BCCHR communication team

Space/Infrastructure:

• Leads the logistics and planning process for the Gut4Health space allocation in relation to potential new initiatives
• Oversees and directs the day to day operations of Gut4Health space including safety and security practices, operational maintenance, and the allocation of office space and equipment
• Work with BCCHR facilities personnel as necessary to ensure space and facility needs are met, plans for future requirements

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position must use strong organizing and prioritizing skills to effectively and efficiently manage the Gut4Health initiative.

Error in judgment could have the following adverse consequences:

• Inability to successfully develop and implement strategic initiatives could diminish the Gut4Health initiative
• Inability to successfully meet funding agency deliverables, may result in reduced future funding
• Poor public/private sector relationships could result in a negative image of both the research program and BCCHR and may impact on research funding made available through partnerships

Supervision Received
This position operates with little direct supervision. The incumbent must be able to identify circumstances that require consultation with appropriate associates, managers, leaders, senior advisory committee, faculty, and other staff and must be able to seek out that consultation in a timely and professional manner. Position reports directly to the programme director (Dr. Bruce Vallance)

Supervision Given
Directly responsible for hiring and supervising research personnel, which also includes performance appraisals and ensuring that performance goals are met within an appropriate budget.

Minimum Qualifications
For research project leadership, a post-graduate degree or an equivalent professional designation is required with a minimum of five years of related experience, including experience in a field of specialization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of seven years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications