Lab Coordinator/Technician: Chemistry/Biochemistry
Apply NowCompany: Wilfrid Laurier University
Location: Waterloo, ON N2J 1A1
Description:
Department: Faculty of Science
Job Type: Continuing
Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)
Campus: Waterloo
Reports to: Department Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Senior Administrative Officer for the Faculty of Science.
Employee Group: WLUSA
Application Deadline: 03/24/2025
Requisition ID: 9133
Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.
Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Position Summary
At Laurier, we are a community. Its' what brings our students here and what keeps our people here.
As an educational institution, we inspire lives of leadership and purpose in our student community. As an employer, we seek, foster and value the same qualities of leadership and purpose in our employee community.
We currently have an opportunity for you to join the Laurier community as a Laboratory Coordinator and Technician within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Reporting to the Chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, the Lab Coordinator/Technician is responsible for the planning, implementation and oversight of assigned labs and/or tutorials for Chemistry and Biochemistry courses offered through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and for the technical support of all assigned Biochemistry and Chemistry laboratories.
The incumbent is responsible for the preparation of equipment, chemical solutions, and media as required for undergraduate laboratories in Biochemistry and for ensuring that lab activities are completed safely and in accordance with the academic and research goals of the department. They participate in the maintenance of the Department's chemical stores and equipment, and in the control and disposal of chemical and biohazardous waste from teaching labs. The Coordinator/Technician works on a regular basis with hazardous chemicals classified as carcinogenic, irritant, toxic, flammable/combustible, corrosive, dangerously reactive, and biohazardous materials. As such the incumbent must ensure proper upkeep of the biological hazards permit for the undergraduate biochemistry teaching lab.
The incumbent consults with course instructors to ensure that the lab exercises or tutorials support the learning objectives of the courses and the academic integrity policies of the University. The Lab Coordinator/Technician works independently and is responsible for teaching the laboratory portions of various undergraduate courses. In this role they are also responsible for ensuring safe laboratory practices in the undergraduate courses for which they are responsible.
The Lab Coordinator/Technician is responsible for tracking current advances in pedagogy and pedagogical technology as they relate to delivery of laboratory content. In consultation with the other Lab Coordinators and relevant faculty members, the incumbent will implement these identified advances in the design, development, evaluation and revision of lab exercises, experiments and tutorials for the assigned courses.
The Lab Coordinator will aim to ensure that such activities contribute to the educational goals of the Department's programs and facilitate the Department's long-term goal of "greening" the laboratory curriculum. They develop and/or revise laboratory manuals, study guides, assignments and lab tests to support lab and lecture content, trains and supervises graduate Teaching Assistants and/or undergraduate Instructional Assistants as assigned to instruct or provide support for labs and/or tutorials in these courses.
The incumbent will provide technical support for the preparing of appropriate instrumentation, and providing technical advice to graduate Teaching Assistants, undergraduate Instructional Assistants and undergraduate students.
Accountabilities
Lab/Tutorial Development and Teaching
Selection and Supervision of TA/IA
Administrative Duties:
Laboratory preparation
Chemical storage
6 . Equipment maintenance
Reporting Relationships:
Position Titles, Number of Incumbents Reporting to this Position and Nature of the Supervision Provided:
Qualifications
This position has not been deemed eligible for Educational Equivalencies.
Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday, however adjustment of hours will be required to include evening lab delivery. The manager will adjust the schedule when possible to ensure no more than 35 hours per week are worked. Flexibility of hours required to provide service for afternoon or evening labs.
Compensation
Level: G
Rate of pay: $50.05 - $52.90 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date to $57.20 per hour. Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.
Job Evaluation Factor Scores
Job Evaluation Factors
Score
Education
5
Experience
3
Interpersonal Skills
4
Applied Reasoning and Analytical Skills
4.5
Co-ordination and Planning
4
Accountability for Others
3
Impact of Decisions
3
Mental Effort
3
Level of Physical Effort
4
Working Environment
4
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.
Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/
Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.
Job Type: Continuing
Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)
Campus: Waterloo
Reports to: Department Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Senior Administrative Officer for the Faculty of Science.
Employee Group: WLUSA
Application Deadline: 03/24/2025
Requisition ID: 9133
Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.
Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Position Summary
At Laurier, we are a community. Its' what brings our students here and what keeps our people here.
As an educational institution, we inspire lives of leadership and purpose in our student community. As an employer, we seek, foster and value the same qualities of leadership and purpose in our employee community.
We currently have an opportunity for you to join the Laurier community as a Laboratory Coordinator and Technician within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Reporting to the Chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, the Lab Coordinator/Technician is responsible for the planning, implementation and oversight of assigned labs and/or tutorials for Chemistry and Biochemistry courses offered through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and for the technical support of all assigned Biochemistry and Chemistry laboratories.
The incumbent is responsible for the preparation of equipment, chemical solutions, and media as required for undergraduate laboratories in Biochemistry and for ensuring that lab activities are completed safely and in accordance with the academic and research goals of the department. They participate in the maintenance of the Department's chemical stores and equipment, and in the control and disposal of chemical and biohazardous waste from teaching labs. The Coordinator/Technician works on a regular basis with hazardous chemicals classified as carcinogenic, irritant, toxic, flammable/combustible, corrosive, dangerously reactive, and biohazardous materials. As such the incumbent must ensure proper upkeep of the biological hazards permit for the undergraduate biochemistry teaching lab.
The incumbent consults with course instructors to ensure that the lab exercises or tutorials support the learning objectives of the courses and the academic integrity policies of the University. The Lab Coordinator/Technician works independently and is responsible for teaching the laboratory portions of various undergraduate courses. In this role they are also responsible for ensuring safe laboratory practices in the undergraduate courses for which they are responsible.
The Lab Coordinator/Technician is responsible for tracking current advances in pedagogy and pedagogical technology as they relate to delivery of laboratory content. In consultation with the other Lab Coordinators and relevant faculty members, the incumbent will implement these identified advances in the design, development, evaluation and revision of lab exercises, experiments and tutorials for the assigned courses.
The Lab Coordinator will aim to ensure that such activities contribute to the educational goals of the Department's programs and facilitate the Department's long-term goal of "greening" the laboratory curriculum. They develop and/or revise laboratory manuals, study guides, assignments and lab tests to support lab and lecture content, trains and supervises graduate Teaching Assistants and/or undergraduate Instructional Assistants as assigned to instruct or provide support for labs and/or tutorials in these courses.
The incumbent will provide technical support for the preparing of appropriate instrumentation, and providing technical advice to graduate Teaching Assistants, undergraduate Instructional Assistants and undergraduate students.
Accountabilities
- In consultation with relevant faculty members, and the other Lab Coordinators when necessary, prepares course materials for delivery in labs and/or in tutorials;
- develops and produces lab manuals, study guides, assignments, in-lab lectures, tutorial outlines, experiments, lab quizzes, or other relevant tasks, and tests to support lecture and lab/tutorial content;
- Delivers prelab presentations and regularly interacts with students during and outside of lab time to improve techniques, chemical knowledge and safety;
- routinely reviews and updates this material to reflect current laboratory practice
- In co-operation with the Department's other Lab Coordinators, and in consultation with the relevant faculty member(s), prepares and distributes application forms and hires graduate Teaching Assistants and undergraduate Instructional Assistants, prepares contracts and advises the Administrative Assistant on the number of TAs, IAs, and markers required for specific courses;
- Trains, supervises and counsels graduate student Teaching Assistants and undergraduate student Instructional Assistants in the designated courses,
- Holds regular meetings and weekly office hours to assist and tutor undergraduate students, Instructional Assistants and Teaching Assistants, as needed;
- Establishes marking criteria for lab exercises, lab reports, lab notebooks, tutorial assignments, as well as for lab or tutorial quizzes and tests; evaluates methods and results to ensure uniform and fair practices; oversees marking by TAs and IAs, as required;
- Supports TAs and IAs in the development of professional work habits and skills, and efficient use of resources; pedagogical objectives include improving student skill in tackling problems, relating to and working with peers, time management, choosing efficient teaching and learning techniques, and developing structured approaches.
- Oversees the management of Departmental equipment and facilities used in the assigned courses, including development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the safe use of the relevant equipment and facilities; ensures that equipment is functioning well for lab sessions; provides or arranges for maintenance/repair, storage, and inventory of laboratory equipment;
- May be required to assist with senior student projects;
- In consultation with faculty members and the other Lab Coordinators in the Department, advises the Chief Technician on chemicals, materials and equipment purchases required to create or update lab experiments;
- Conducts basic diagnostic procedures on teaching equipment in need of repair, for example, spectrophotometers, electrophoresis systems, HPLC, pH meters, incubators;
- In cooperation with the SHERM Office, develops and maintains a web-based training program for TAs and IAs who are assigned to work in the courses for which the Lab Coordinator is responsible; enforces applicable safety regulations and procedures in lab;
- Investigates, mediates, and escalates incidents of academic misconduct according to the undergraduate student code of conduct;
- Provides recommended accommodations for students registered with the Accessible Learning Centre;
- Assists with the development of the course load build as it pertains to the scheduling of labs and assignment of waitlisted students;
- Participates in departmental and university functions and committees;
- Maintains records of borrowed materials by faculty, students and other departments, collecting deposits as required;
- Upkeep of the Biological Materials permit
- Prepares biochemistry undergraduate labs, including preparation of chemical reagents, set up of dispensing units, equipment, workstations, and collection and disposal of hazardous waste;
- Troubleshoots problems with experimental results, refining unsatisfactory preparatory methods as required;
- Responds appropriately according to the safety data sheets in the event of a chemical spill or first aid event;
- Ensures student chemical lockers contain all necessary equipment in good condition at the beginning of each course.
- Ensures proper storage of chemicals, including chemicals classified as carcinogenic, irritant, toxic, flammable, combustible, corrosive and/or biohazardous;
- Assists the Chief Technician with upkeep of chemical date inventory;
- Assists the Chief Technician with maintaining current Safety Data Sheets for department chemicals;
- Assists the Chief Technician with hazardous/biohazardous waste collection and disposal for undergraduate labs;
6 . Equipment maintenance
- Monitors quantities of glassware, consumables, and other equipment;
- Assists the Chief Technician with preventative maintenance and repairs to complex chemical instruments;
- Provides technical support to faculty, TAs and students;
- Assists the Chief Technician with refilling departmental NMR spectrometers with liquid nitrogen/helium.
Reporting Relationships:
Position Titles, Number of Incumbents Reporting to this Position and Nature of the Supervision Provided:
- Teaching Assistants
- Instructional Assistants and Markers
Qualifications
- Master of Science in Biochemistry or a cognate discipline;
- Three (3) years work related experience;
- Ability to communicate and interact effectively with faculty, staff, students and technical personnel on a wide range of issues;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Comfortable teaching and conveying detailed information to an audience;
- Pedagogical skills in optimizing the operation and educational value of formal chemistry and biochemistry labs and tutorials; proven skills in authoring and editing manuals for labs and tutorials, and in developing lab and tutorial exercises and evaluating methodology,
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, with well-developed team management, organizational and leadership skills,
- Proven time management and organizational skills; ability to set priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines,
- Exceptional attention to detail,
- Supervisory experience, including the ability to train and manage graduate TAs and undergraduate IAs,
- Experience with standard laboratory equipment used in undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry teaching labs,
- Sound knowledge of all programs available through Microsoft Office and experience with learning management systems (e.g. Desire2Learn);
- Familiarity with relevant safety legislation and policies;
- Knowledge of legislation relevant to the storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals and hazardous waste including biohazardous materials;
This position has not been deemed eligible for Educational Equivalencies.
Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday, however adjustment of hours will be required to include evening lab delivery. The manager will adjust the schedule when possible to ensure no more than 35 hours per week are worked. Flexibility of hours required to provide service for afternoon or evening labs.
Compensation
Level: G
Rate of pay: $50.05 - $52.90 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date to $57.20 per hour. Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.
Job Evaluation Factor Scores
Job Evaluation Factors
Score
Education
5
Experience
3
Interpersonal Skills
4
Applied Reasoning and Analytical Skills
4.5
Co-ordination and Planning
4
Accountability for Others
3
Impact of Decisions
3
Mental Effort
3
Level of Physical Effort
4
Working Environment
4
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.
Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/
Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.