Research Project Manager

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Scientific Eng., Level B

Job Title
Research Project Manager

Department
Research | B. Britton| Department of Materials Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range
$6,068.92 - $8,724.25 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
April 23, 2024

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

Job End Date

May 30, 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 Summary

We have recently been awarded a CFI Innovation Fund to develop start-of-the-art materials characterization facilities to help us research materials for net zero. This large ($19.4m total budget) infrastructure project will involve renovation of space at UBC in the basement of the Brimacombe building, the procurement of vacuum-based electron microscopes and X-ray instruments, and the procurement of vacuum transfer & in situ stages for testing. The Research Project Manager will be responsible for managing the project and coordinating the activities to set up the facility and purchase the necessary equipment. Exceptional organizational skills, as well as a high degree of motivation, enthusiasm, and initiative are required to provide coordination and management of various overlapping activities.

The project is led by Dr. Ben Britton in Materials Engineering, and has investigators in the Faculties of Applied Science, Forestry and Science. Full confidence is to be placed in the Research Project Manager for assessing needs and equipment, and providing guidance to the project team.

Organizational Status
The position reports to Dr. Ben Britton (Project Lead) and Dr. Daan Maijer (Department Head). The Research Project Manager will liaise with UBC Facilities Planning & Building Operations, and other Faculty and Staff at UBC, as well as external vendors and contractors.
Work Performed

The Research Project Manager will facilitate the renovations and development of the long-term business case for the facility that we will create, as well as supervising technical work to ensure that the instruments can work well together by working with suppliers to design and implement work flows for vacuum transfer between instruments and to enable us to undertake cutting-edge research & train the next generation of highly qualified personnel. This includes interpretation of drawings supplied, technical discussions, and engineering considerations.

The Research Project Manager will be responsible for the following:

Project management of renovations. Project management and equipment purchasing and provide technical advice on the needs of the team, scope of the grant, and interoperability of the equipment . Developing a business plan with multiple stakeholders at UBC (in MTRL, APSC, SCI, and VPRI), and external parties, to facilitate cost effective facility management. Development and implementation of methods to maximize the scientific value of the equipment investment, as aligned against the proposal, including working with researchers to develop effective technical and research workflows. Developing and supporting a business plan for longer term viability of the facility.

Together with others in the project, the Research Project Manager will be responsible for training staff, including assistants (undergraduate and graduate students and technicians) on the equipment for use in selected projects.

The Research Project Manager will be involved in developing documentation for future research infrastructure and resources in collaboration with Dr. Britton and the other investigators.

From time to time, the Research Project Manager will be required to perform other related duties as needed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Research Project Manager will exercise professional judgment and initiative in the overall coordination and management of projects, and will be accountable for the effective execution of all related activities.  They are required to conduct all activities in an ethical manner, suited to proper activities of the University of BC, the granting agencies, and to the professional organizations governing the Research Project Manager and those governing the activities of all other investigators. Failure to do so can lead to delays in project progress, including results of projects and questionable integrity for the project.
Supervision Received
The Research Project Manager will work with considerable latitude and reports to Dr. Ben Britton and Dr. Daan Maijer. The position will be responsible for setting goals, schedules and project directions, which require a high degree of professional skill, organization and motivation. This position is accountable for the progress of the project, and the effective and efficient execution of project milestones and commitments. Work will be reviewed against the overall strategic plan and project deliverables and objectives.
Supervision Given
As directed, the position may be required to supervise selected technicians, undergraduate and graduate students.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science. Minimum of five 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

University degree (Masters preferred) in Engineering, Applied Science or Science plus 5 years related experience in research and project management (or the equivalent combination of education and experience) preferred. Familiarity with manufacturing and/or design methods and computer skills (e.g., modeling, spreadsheet and word processing).

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and in a cooperative manner with a wide range of internal and external contacts
• Proven organizational and supervision experience
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, management and organizational skills
• Proven ability to communicate in oral and written form is required
• Strong problem-solving abilities, and dedication to accuracy and attention to detail
• Working knowledge and experience in project management
• Ability to train and supervise other research assistants, staff and students
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work to meet deadlines