Research Manager, Bio-medical Engineering

University of Calgary; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Calgary invites applications for a Research Manager in the Bio-medical Engineering group within the Schulich School of Engineering. This part‑time fixed‑term role (~7 months) involves overseeing laboratory operations, managing HR/finance/communications, and coordinating international collaborations in a hybrid work environment.

The position requires a PhD in biomedical engineering and prior leadership of research activities, with strong organizational and regulatory acumen.

Qualifications

• PhD in biomedical engineering required.
• Strong leadership and strategic decision-making skills.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary research projects and teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee research operations and implement studies across international collaborations.
• Manage core business operations: HR, finance, communications, and marketing for the lab.
• Coordinate local, national, and international research projects and reporting to stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Budgeting

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Education

PhD in biomedical engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Teams

Job description

Bio‑medical Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering invites applications for a Research Manager. This Part‑time Fixed‑Term position is for approximately 7 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension. The Research Manager reports to the Principal Investigator and will be a multifaceted role, including overseeing the development and implementation of international laboratory research studies; managing core business operations for the research laboratory (HR, finance, communications, marketing, etc.); and coordinating local, national, and international collaborative research projects; amongst other responsibilities. The Laboratory Research area advances translational, clinical and exploratory research at the intersection of biomedical engineering and human health, focusing on the design, development and evaluation of innovative technologies and methods involving human participants and biological specimens, including blood samples and cell cultures. The position is anticipated to be flexible hours, but may require additional time to complete projects on time and respond to unexpected challenges. The working environment is hybrid remote and office within a research setting. Work volume and priorities fluctuate based on study lifecycles, funding timelines, and regulatory and ethics review cycles, with peak periods occurring during study start up, participant recruitment, data and sample collection, audits, and reporting deadlines. Occasional travel may be required to support collaborations, clinical sites, conferences, or regulatory meetings. The position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Manage research operations and support strategic decision making.
• The Manager will check in or meet with the Principal Investigator weekly to discuss progress, challenges and opportunities within all elements of the program (scientific, clinical, operational, etc.) and to discuss strategic decisions.
• Provide expertise related to the operation, management and strategic opportunities related to research studies and research laboratories.
• Manage institutional, national, and international research facilitating teamwork and collaborations.
• Manage relationships and communication between scientists, clinicians, employees, trainees, collaborators, funders and advisors and champion a culture of ethical research conduct, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure seamless, team‑based progress toward ensuring adherence to institutional policies and applicable legislation related to human research, biospecimen handling and data governance, as well as successful operation and management of research activities and relationships for advancement of research and funder objectives.

Staff Management

• Working with the Principal Investigator, Research Scientists, Trainees, and Administrators, the Manager will oversee the research laboratory and operations.
• Full managerial discretion of reports.
• Responsible for working with Principal investigator to determine positions that would support the strategic goals of the Program.
• Supports the creation job profiles, hiring, and onboarding of trainees and personnel.
• Performs and engages in annual performance reviews.
• When required, performs disciplinary actions, including terminations.
• Oversees the complete range of human resource management for operational staff.
• Funding, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Working with the Principle Investigators, Research Scientist, Trainees and our Administrative Team (including University Finance), the Manager will participate in new grant applications; organize and oversee the clinical study logistical planning and operations, contribute to budgeting and expense tracking, and drive the generation of progress reports for funders and other stakeholders.

Research Activities

• Pursue activities that advance progress on research activities, support acquisition of grant funding, generation of publications and presentations, and building of collaborations.
• Working with the Clinical Research Manager, Partners, Research Scientists, and Trainees, the Research Manager will drive the generation of research outputs related to the milestones, deliverables and outcomes set within grant or funder requirements.
• Liaise between research teams, committees and funders, to ensure all parties involved remain engaged and aware of project progress and challenges.
• Work with the PI to review strategic directions and identify new opportunities.
• Identify and prioritize research activities to meet deadlines.
• Perform laboratory and literature-based research with an aim towards output generation (grant applications, reports, publications, presentations, trainee support).
• Work towards building research innovation and translation to practice.

Qualifications / Requirements

• A PhD degree in biomedical engineering or science is required.
• Minimum of 2 years of work related to laboratory management or laboratory work under a quality management system is desired.
• Required to be task and detail oriented, organized, and efficient, with strong time‑management and multi‑tasking skills.
• Must be able to meet deadlines and organize complex team‑based activities on a deadline.
• Required to have strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact effectively with stakeholders in multiple domains (scientists, engineers, clinicians, technical staff, trainees, administrative support, granting organizations, and regulatory).
• Required to have strong leadership skills, including a demonstrated ability and comfort with decision making responsibilities and the ability to motivate, inspire and build confidence in others to achieve common goals.
• An understanding of budgeting and financial accounting for a research program or laboratory is required.
• An ability to work collaboratively with program stakeholders to coordinate and/or lead the generation of grant proposals, research progress reports, publications and research summaries is required.
• An ability to hire and help manage staff is required.
• Basic computer skills are required (Microsoft Office, MS Teams, etc.).
• An understanding of intellectual property protection and commercialization is an asset.
• An understanding of therapeutic and medical device clinical study and trial design is an asset.

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest‑ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands‑on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start‑ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution‑wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit‑based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous‑based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and policies at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding diversity EDI at UCalgary can be sent to Office of Institutional Commitments [email protected] and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture [email protected].

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.