Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title

PIEE Lab Manager

Department

Research Support | Carrillo Research Group | Applied Biology Program | Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Compensation Range

$5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

March 19, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 31, 2027

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 PIEE Lab Manager oversees the daily operations of a laboratory, provides student and staff onboarding, training, and administration, supports hiring and provides input into lab member performance, oversees project progress and coordination, coordinates and facilitates regular lab-wide meetings, writes financial and activity reports, develops and writes novel experimental protocols and safety procedures, designs, modifies, and performs complex experiments, data analysis and interpretation of research results.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Principal Investigator (Dr. Juli Carrillo). Works in a UBC research team consisting of technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and the Principal Investigator. Coordinates and collaborates across research groups, including with professors, students, research staff, and farm staff. Liaises with Faculty Operations staff, Dean’s office Finance and HR as well as external departments such as Financial Operations and Safety & Risk Services.

Work Performed

• Oversees daily operations of a laboratory, including responsibility for budget, purchasing, inventory, forecasting and maintenance of financial reports, as well as administration of staff and students.
• Compiles quarterly budget reports for research grants, coordinates forecasting, provides spending input, and writes and submits financial reports, working with LFS finance office when needed.
• Assists with hiring, onboarding, training, supervision and scheduling of undergraduate/graduate students and research assistants and provides input into staff and student performance. May distribute work assignments.
• Designs, modifies, and performs complex experiments that include field sampling of insects and plants, sample identification and data processing, and conducting complex analysis and interpretation of results.
• Oversees research project (and possible collaborative lab experiments/projects) progress and assists with coordination, providing recommendations on workflow improvement when needed.
• Supports analysis and interpretation of experiment results for graduate or undergraduate student research projects by providing feedback and workflow recommendations.
• Supports graduate student projects including coordination, supply purchasing, vehicle management, site selection, and facilitating field season planning meetings.
• Liaises with UBC Farm staff for new project proposals, land-based site use approvals and farm staff assistance for on-site research.
• Compiles annual or bi-annual research activity reports for grants, coordinating and collaborating across research groups when needed.
• Oversees the maintenance of lab insect colonies, including assigning responsibility to staff and/or students, task training, and troubleshooting problems that may arise.
• Coordinates and facilitates regular lab-wide meetings as well as coordinate and/or support lab participation in outreach events
• Presents research results at laboratory meetings, research cluster meetings, research sharing days with partner organizations, and/or conferences
• Provides instruction and training in the use of specialized techniques and equipment, including insect sample sorting and identification, berry sample incubation and dissection, pupal and colony rearing, CO2 tank usage and replacement, water distiller usage and maintenance, growth chamber usage, etc.
• Manages the Carrillo & Castellarin Plant Science Growth Chambers (bookings, coordination, usage) and operates, maintains and troubleshoots problems with standard and/or specialized lab equipment, working with Faculty operations staff when needed.
• Develops and writes novel experimental protocols, including field sample collection, sample processing, and other research protocols as well as operating procedures.
• Manages laboratory, experimental, and field research safety, including monitoring and ensuring the implementation and enforcement of laboratory safety rules and procedures.
• Organizes laboratory and stock, purchases and distributes supplies, maintains inventory.
• May sit on and contribute to specific grant-level research committees.
• Performs other duties when necessary.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The PIEE Lab Manager exercises a considerable amount of judgement, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods, and coordinating the work of the lab. They must exercise decision making that requires effective prioritization and critical thinking, a thorough understanding of lab operations and safety, and substantial research skills and acumen. Decisions made by the Lab Manager may impact progress and results of many research projects and carry important safety considerations. Poor judgement may negative impact the reputation of the research lab, the Faculty and the University.

Supervision Received
Reports to the PI but works under minimum supervision, scheduling meetings to maintain a clear line of communication about the status and progress of students, staff, projects, and the laboratory.

Supervision Given
Supervises undergraduate work-learn students and research assistants and/or staff at lower classifications, depending on the nature of their work and on an as-needed basis. Oversees general laboratory operations and provides support to graduate students.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

• 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

• Graduate degree.

• Operational laboratory management experience and skills are an asset.

• Experience with research design, protocol development, fieldwork, sample processing, and laboratory skills is required.

• Must have insect identification skills.

• Experience with statistical analysis, coding and R script, and data management is an asset.

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.

• Strong organizational, analytical and research skills.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Must be able to adapt and be flexible.

• Must have accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.

• Must be physically fit, able to perform work for extended periods of time in any weather conditions.

• Computer experience at an intermediate level is required (e.g. MS Word, Excel, Email, Internet)

• Must have a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License

About Us

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at

workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca

.