Assistant Laboratory Coordinator Jobs

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Department/FacultyThe Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta is renowned internationally for its excellence in teaching and research. The Department of Chemistry offers an extensive undergraduate program in Chemistry. Prospective students can choose from several different programs of study, each designed to provide a broad background in the theory and practice of chemistry. For the Fall 2022 and Winter 20223 terms, there were approximately 5,293 students enrolled in the Department’s General Chemistry (CHEM 10X) courses and about 2,487 students registered in the Organic Chemistry (CHEM 26X, 36X, 46X) courses. Our faculty members, lecturers and lab coordinators work together to offer an unmatched experience that enables our undergraduate students to excel.

Position

The Assistant Laboratory Coordinator is responsible for supporting the teaching programs of the General Chemistry (CHEM 10X) and Organic Chemistry (CHEM 26X, 36X, 46X) undergraduate teaching labs. Reporting to both the Director of the Undergraduate General Chemistry Laboratories and the Director of the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratories, this position will assist with all operational activities of the General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry instructional laboratories. As there are multiple sections of labs running at various times during the day and evening, this position will be expected to work non-standard business hours during the Fall and Winter academic terms. For example, on days such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the work day will begin at 1:00 PM and end at 9:00 PM. On other days, such as Thursdays and Fridays, the work day will start at 7:30 AM and end at 3:30 PM. Work schedules are dependent upon course schedules and will be determined in advance of the start of each academic term.

The Assistant Laboratory Coordinator will also participate in the training of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), some curriculum development and editorial work, as well as special projects related to chemical education. This position is also responsible for a variety of administrative duties and tasks, such as database maintenance, records management, and meeting coordination.

Duties

• Observes and monitors teaching labs for all sections when in progress
• Assists with the training and mentoring of GTAs on laboratory protocols and expectations
• Prepares and distributes instructional handouts for each weekly's labs to the TAs in preparation for the upcoming lab
• Contributes to the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and standards for laboratory operations to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards
• Performs chemical education research and investigates new techniques for carrying out chemistry laboratory experiments
• Grades laboratory assignments, quizzes and exams
• Assists with the preparation and management of course grades files and other related materials
• Disposes of chemicals, samples and other waste in accordance with University standards and regulations
• Reports incidences of chemical spills, physical injuries, and safety near misses in the teaching labs as required
• Provides objective input and feedback to the Laboratory Directors about the work performance of individual Graduate Teaching Assistants
• Assists in the coordination of all activitiesfor the General Chemistry (CHEM 10X) and Organic Chemistry (CHEM 26X, 36X, 46X) instructional labs for multiple sections
• Demonstrates the safe and proper use of lab equipment to students and GTAs
• Prepares Graduate Teaching Assistant course evaluation materials and documents
• Maintains the student registration database by uploading enrolment data and assigning student lab bench lockers
• Ensures appropriate maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment
• Assists in the preparation and development of lab assignments and exams
• Troubleshoots chemistry experiments (at all levels), including problems with equipment and materials, during laboratory instruction
• Responds to student requests for exemptions, excused absences, and withdrawals
• Develops marking schemes and answer keys for student assignments and distributes them to the GTAs as directed by the Lab Directors
• Ensures the efficient and effective operation of lab facilities and resources
• Prepares check-in and check-out materials and completes other lab administrative paperwork
• Reviews, updates, and re-formats laboratory instructional manuals and related materials for all chemistry courses as directed
• Works with the Lab Directors and instructors to develop new lab exercises and experiments, lab manuals/handouts, lab assignments, and marking guides
• Tests all protocols, techniques, and equipment in order to ensure that experiments and lab practicals can be completed successfully by students
• Assists Chemistry Stores staff in preparing samples, chemicals, and specialized equipment, etc. for use in teaching laboratories as required
• Enforces institutional laboratory safety and PPE policies to ensure students and GTAs adhere to all applicable regulatory requirements
• Guides undergraduate students and Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) on how to proceed if experimental reactions do not produce expected results

Minimum Qualifications

• Required to work non-standard business hours, e.g., evening hours
• WHMIS, Lab Safety, and CPR & Standard First Aid certification is an asset
• Experience in wet chemistry lab procedures, experimental processes, and lab sciences
• Teaching experience at an undergraduate level
• Minimum MSc degree in Organic or Inorganic Chemistry; PhD degree is preferred
• At least 2 years work experience in a laboratory or academic setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive material
• Experience with VNMRj would be an asset
• Knowledge of database and learning management systems desirable
• Exceptional computer skills in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Drive applications
• Ability to perform Web based and Library searches with respect to research
• Communication, interpersonal, and cultural sensitivity skills are essential
• Exceptional time management, organizational, and multi-tasking skills