Public and Industry Relations Representative

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level A

Job Title
Public and Industry Relations Representative

Department
Research | Hein Lab | Department of Chemistry | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range
$5,622.33 - $8,081.00 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 6, 2024

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

Job End Date

Feb 28, 2025

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 Description Summary
Responsible for both internal and external communications of a large research program (30 staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students), which includes interfacing with government, industry, and the media. The position supports the Business Manager of the Hein Lab and UBC’s research activities linked to the Acceleration Consortium funded through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).
Organizational Status
Works closely with the Hein Lab Business Manager of the Hein Lab. Professor Hein is a Professor at the UBC Chemistry Department, the UBC -CFREF lead and a leader of the Acceleration Consortium. He leads a research program dedicated to the development of automated reaction analysis technology in the realm of mechanistic organic chemistry. Our work combines advanced robotics with synthetic organic chemistry, paving the way for new and innovative solutions. The lab’s current focus includes understanding catalytic reaction mechanisms, establishing reliable chemical processes for manufacturing, and creating coupled preferential crystallization technologies for efficient chemical purification. Central to the research program is a set of prototype modular robotic tools and integrated analytical hardware, forming the first broadly applicable automated reaction profiling toolkit.
On a daily basis this position will interact directly with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and other technical team members at UBC. The candidate will also liaise significantly with technical and administrative staff both internal and external to the university in order to efficiently conduct their work.
Work Performed
The primary responsibility of this role is to handle internal and external communications related to the research activities. This includes:
Government liaison – Work with team members and departmental staff to deliver all required technical and financial reports to relevant government agencies. This will require the individual to ensure that all research and administrative team members are aware of reporting milestones and deadlines to ensure the quality of report content, in addition to driving the delivery of a professional end product. Assist with the preparation and submission of funding proposals.

Plans, manages, and handles communications for multiple research projects, including the Acceleration Consortium and the organizational body of CFREF.

Dissemination of results - Oversee the preparation of manuscripts, presentations, and posters that communicate research external to the group. The individual will work with researchers, staff, and the PI to ensure that all communications are of an exceptional standard.

Industry liaison - interacting with commercial industry both within and outside of Vancouver in order to advertise the activities of the research program. This aspect includes maintaining existing relationships as well as developing new relationships. This will additionally require the individual to work with team members and departmental staff to oversee the delivery of technical and financial reports to sponsoring partners.

Media Interfacing - Handle all media enquiries relevant to the program in a timely and professional manner. Develop communication packages and plain-language reports of research activity when required.

Website management - ensuring that all information on the website is current and up-to-date. This task will allow the ideal candidate to generate creative communication techniques for technical concepts.
The work will be performed in collaboration with the team’s Business Manager and other team members, including with one or more senior team members who will provide ongoing technical training, guidance, and mentorship. The ideal candidate will thrive in this environment of collaboration, creativity and responsibility.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position will exercise judgment and initiative in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion, and must demonstrate tact and discretion. Work is expected to be of professional quality at all times to ensure external perception of the project is not compromised. Consequences of error include missed opportunities for stage-gated funding, loss of program reputation, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential information. Work will be reviewed periodically by the Hein Lab business manager and Prof. Hein.
Supervision Received
Works closely with the Hein Lab Business Manager under the supervision of Prof. Hein
Supervision Given
This position will not be supervising others.
Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, a tertiary degree in communications, science, or engineering, with a minimum of four years 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:

• Exceptional written and visual communication skills.

• Demonstrable ability to work to milestones and manage deadlines.

• Ability to travel.

• Demonstrated ability to manage websites.

• Graphics design experience.