Staff - Non Union

##Job Category

M&P - AAPS

##Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level B

##Job Title

Program Manager

##Department

Research | Hallam | Department of Microbiology | Faculty of Science

##Compensation Range

$6,747.50 - $9,701.42 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

March 29, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 31, 2028

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

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 Hallam Lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia is in search of a Program Manager to oversee a portfolio of grant funded initiatives. The Lab is a highly interdisciplinary collection of researchers that combine microbial ecology, molecular biology, biological engineering, genomics and bioinformatics to convert basic science insights into biotechnology innovations.

This role operates at a strategic program level, translating scientific vision into operational strategy across multiple interconnected research streams. The Program Manager contributes to shaping program architecture, identifying cross-cutting priorities, aligning initiatives with institutional and funder priorities, and supporting long-term portfolio development. The position exercises significant delegated authority over financial stewardship, operational planning, partnership coordination, and compliance management within complex, multi-stakeholder research programs.

Our diverse research expertise has enabled us to engage with many use partners and stakeholders resulting in several initiatives related to microbial biotechnology innovation including the MCELLs research cluster, a biomining initiative in collaboration with the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials, and several other sponsored projects related to engineered living materials. A Program Manager is needed to administer and strategically coordinate these initiatives, manage finances, support funding development, align institutional engagement, and oversee knowledge mobilization and reporting activities.

Organizational Status The Program Manager will report directly to Prof. Steven Hallam and work as part of a collaborative team consisting of other senior research staff and highly qualified personnel within the Hallam Lab.

Work Performed The position is responsible for program- and project-level research facilitation, financial and administrative oversight, and strategic coordination of multi-project, multi-stakeholder research initiatives. The incumbent supports the principal investigator in the development, and sustainability of complex research programs, including grant development, financial monitoring, reporting, partnership management, and cluster-level initiatives.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic input on directional and operational aspects across large, interdisciplinary research initiatives. Work closely with the Principal Investigator, Research Associate, and co-investigators to refine program structure, define research themes, identify cross-cutting priorities, and align activities with institutional and funder objectives.

• Contribute to decisions regarding which funding opportunities to pursue based on technical alignment, interconnectivity across research streams, strategic positioning, and logistical capacity.

• Develop and implement operational plans, including integrated work plans, timelines, milestones, governance structures, and coordination mechanisms across multiple concurrent and interdependent research initiatives.

• Lead and support major funding development efforts, including preparation, coordination, and submission of complex grant applications. Develop detailed budgets, ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines, liaise with UBC central offices, and support the strategic positioning of proposals.

• Exercise delegated authority over financial stewardship and resource allocation within approved budgets, including forecasting, monitoring expenditures, adjusting distributions, and coordinating human resources aligned with evolving project needs.

• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with academic collaborators, industry stakeholders, policy groups, knowledge mobilization partners, and institutional offices (e.g., Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, Development & Alumni Engagement) to strengthen translational impact, societal engagement, and funding competitiveness.

• Serve as the central coordination point for multi-stakeholder engagement, managing communications with collaborators, institutional units, and external partners, and coordinating knowledge translation and outreach activities.

• Ensure compliance and reporting integrity by overseeing adherence to institutional policies and funder requirements, preparing progress and financial reports, identifying administrative risks, and implementing mitigation strategies.

• Oversee recruitment coordination and staffing structure alignment across funded projects, supporting hiring priorities and effort distribution consistent with program needs and funding constraints.

• Lead cluster-wide and cross-institutional initiatives, including trainee engagement activities, workshops, conferences, and international-facing events, contributing to the strategic positioning and visibility of the research portfolio.

• Develop and maintain knowledge management, reporting, and communication systems, including documentation, shared resources, websites, reporting systems, and progress-tracking tools.

• Advise the Principal Investigator on research administration, funding strategy, institutional alignment, and operational risk, escalating complex or high-impact issues as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement A high degree of organization, good judgment, integrity and attention to detail is required in making appropriate decisions, including those involving sample chain of custody, financial and human resource issues. Errors in judgment or decisions may negatively impact trainees, financial, and operational activities of the project. Errors in judgment may negatively impact the reputation of the project and the University.

Supervision Received The successful candidate is a self-motivated collaborator with exceptional problem-solving and multi-tasking abilities. The position operates independently within established UBC policies, procedures, and funder requirements, exercising professional judgment in research facilitation, financial oversight, and program coordination. The role works with a high degree of professional autonomy, setting priorities and managing complex, concurrent research and programmatic activities in consultation with Prof. Hallam. While scientific direction, final budget approvals, and ultimate research decisions remain with the Principal Investigator, the Program Manager exercises significant delegated authority over day-to-day program execution and operational decision-making. In practice, the Program Manager plays a critical role in safeguarding quality through oversight, coordination, documentation, and compliance.

Supervision Given Coordinates, guides, and provides functional supervision to highly qualified personnel, including postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, research staff, and administrative collaborators within the Hallam Lab and the MCELLS research cluster. The position supports recruitment and coordination of personnel and provides administrative leadership to cross-functional program teams involving academic, government, and industry partners.

Minimum Qualifications Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the 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

• A background in environmental science, microbiology, or related fields (MSc preferred)
• Certification in Project Management or demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-project, interdisciplinary research programs.
• Experience in research funding development, including grant writing, budget preparation, and coordination with institutional research offices.
• Proven experience in financial monitoring, forecasting, and reporting for research projects.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement and strategic communication with academia, industry, government, and non-profit partners.
• Experience with event and program development, including workshops, conferences, and collaborative initiatives.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and long-term planning.
• Familiarity with grant writing, knowledge management systems, information tracking, and reporting frameworks.
• Technical literacy in data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python), information management, and basic web or visual communication tools is an asset.
• Interest in sustainability, environmental research, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated research and program management professional with experience coordinating interdisciplinary research initiatives and supporting principal investigators at a strategic level. The candidate brings a strong background in environmental or microbial sciences, combined with demonstrated expertise in research facilitation, financial oversight, grant development, and stakeholder coordination.

The successful candidate will be comfortable managing multiple interrelated projects simultaneously, forecasting future needs, identifying risks, and exercising professional judgment to ensure research programs advance efficiently and compliantly. Exceptional communication skills, initiative, and accountability are essential, as the role functions with a high degree of independence and responsibility.

Candidates with experience in knowledge dissemination, intellectual property considerations, and fostering academic, industry partnerships will excel in this position. Proficiency with information management systems and standard productivity tools, including spreadsheets, word processing, grant and report writing, data wrangling and analysis, and basic graphic design or website development is expected. Experience with data-driven problem solving and visual analysis is considered an asset