BME Lab Technician and Safety Coordinator

Waterloo International; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 66,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Waterloo is seeking a Biomedical Engineering Lab Technician and Safety Coordinator to support wet labs and safety across the department. You will develop SOPs, oversee safe operations and manage equipment, chemicals storage, and day-to-day lab activities.

Reporting to the Lab Director, you will liaise with the Safety Office, perform inspections, and mentor graduate students while helping with long- and short-term operational planning to advance the department's mission.

Qualifications

• Familiar with safety compliance in wet-lab environments.
• Experience creating and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ability to document and report lab activities and incidents.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safe operations of wet labs and ensure compliance with policies.
• Create and maintain SOPs and manage research equipment.
• Assist with storage of chemicals, ordering supplies, and scheduling equipment.
• Liaise with the Safety Office and perform termly/annual lab inspections.
• Guide graduate students and support day-to-day lab operations.

Skills

Lab safety

Technical oversight

Documentation

Operational planning

Graduate student guidance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering or related field

Tools

SOP development

Lab equipment maintenance

Safety inspections

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day. Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID: 2026-01582 Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Laboratory Support Employment Type: Temporary Department: Faculty of Engineering - Systems Design Engineering Hiring Range: $66,380.23 - $82,975.28 Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. The internal posting deadline for this position is August 13 ,2026 at 11:59PM. This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity. Term: 2 years

Job Description

Primary Purpose The Biomedical Engineering (BME) Lab Technician and Safety Coordinator is accountable to the Lab Director in Systems Design Engineering and serves as the main department staff position to support biomedical tissue and cell research labs as well as support safety across the entire department. The incumbent provides technical oversight for safe operations of "wet labs" including creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures, experimental set-up, and maintenance of research equipment. Additional support with documentation and reporting, management of shared laboratory space, guidance of graduate students, as well as help with managing day-to-day lab operations (proper storage of chemicals, ordering supplies, scheduling equipment). Under direction of the Lab Director, the BME Lab Technician and Safety Coordinator implements the department health and safety program. Duties include liaising with the university Safety Office on behalf of the department safety coordinator, performing termly and annual lab and space inspections under the oversight of the lab director, identifying areas for improvement, arranging for deficiencies to be corrected, promoting a culture of safety through education, and ensuring compliance with university policies, legislative requirements, and best practices. In this role, they provide support for and feedback on short- and long-term operational planning for all parts of the department mission with a keen eye towards safety and lab facilities.

Key Accountabilities

Operational

• Coordination of the overall operation of the biomedical engineering research facilities in alignment