Teaching Laboratory Manager

University of British Columbia - Staff; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Kelowna seeks a Teaching Laboratory Manager to oversee the chemistry undergraduate laboratory program. Responsibilities include leadership in course development, managing lab operations, and training teaching assistants. The ideal candidate holds a relevant undergraduate degree, has significant experience in educational programming, and possesses excellent communication and critical thinking skills. This position also involves ensuring lab safety compliance and fostering collaboration among faculty and staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient knowledge of UBC and regulatory requirements for laboratory safety.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of the Chemistry teaching labs.
• Collaborate with faculty to develop lab-based educational programming.
• Manage and train teaching assistants and technicians.

Skills

Critical thinking

Judgement

Communication skills

Supervisory skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

WHMIS

Job description

Job Summary

This position provides leadership and management for the day-to-day delivery of the chemistry undergraduate laboratory program, as well as for the teaching assistants (TAs), staff, and technicians. The position plans and develops laboratory course components for undergraduate chemistry courses in conjunction with instructional faculty and is responsible for the operation and development of chemistry teaching laboratory facilities. The position works collaboratively with the Department of Chemistry to enhance and promote the quality of instruction and the pedagogy of the laboratory program. This position collaborates with faculty and instructors to design and deliver lab-based teaching activities and contributes to the development of new lab modules. The position is responsible for overall day-to-day teaching lab management, ensuring safe working conditions and compliance with all relevant protocols and policies, and requires proficient knowledge of the regulatory requirements for operating teaching laboratories. It is responsible for ensuring that all tasks are performed in a safe manner, consistent with laboratory protocols, and are completed on time, to a pedagogical standard that the delivery of the laboratory program is not compromised. They provide technical support and guidance to teaching assistants during lab sessions, as well as deliver training modules to teaching assistants on a regular basis each term. The position liaises with external vendors, service professionals, and colleagues from other departments to foster cross-unit relationships, thereby enhancing lab operations and knowledge exchange. The position will assist in training teaching assistants and junior technicians, and will help with hiring and oversee the work of undergraduate and Work Learn students. The position may be assigned lab-related teaching duties.

Organizational Status: This position reports directly to the Department Head, Chemistry, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science (IKBFoS). The position manages laboratory technicians and interfaces with laboratory coordinators, and directly oversees or manages the hiring, training, and management of teaching assistants.

Work Performed

Educational Program Leadership and Development

• Advises on course design and collaborates with instructors and faculty to develop and execute learning initiatives and teaching resources; provides pedagogical support for all lab-based educational programming, which includes coordinating lab space and resource allocation.
• Collaborates with instructors to develop learning materials tailored to learners' needs.
• Develops and implements program assessment and development tools to improve laboratory content and delivery, and pedagogical program objectives.
• Works collaboratively with faculty at UBC as well as other institutions in developing pedagogical tools and long-range planning to enhance the delivery of the undergraduate program.
• Helps ensure that lab activities are current, relevant, and appropriate by staying up-to-date with the latest developments in hands-on chemistry education, and uses judgement to apply these techniques and potential equipment upgrades to the chemistry undergraduate courses.
• Designs and writes course materials, including laboratory manuals, teaching assistant manuals, safety and pedagogical guidelines for teaching assistants, and material for the laboratory course Canvas pages.
• Delivers guest lectures in undergraduate chemistry courses.
• Assists in developing outreach programs and developing grade-level lessons for each grade level based on the province’s projected learning objectives.
• Provides general day-to-day support related to educational programming, as required.
• Participates in teaching and curriculum-related committees.
• Serves as a key member of the School's Local Health & Safety committee.

Managing Operation of the Teaching Laboratories

• Develops and disseminates prototyping and hands-on teaching resources for all educational programs offered by the Department of Chemistry, including guidance documents, Safe Operating Procedures, and training/workshops for faculty, staff, and students.
• Develops and implements comprehensive administrative policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure optimal operation of the laboratories.
• Maintains certification and training in all relevant safety and licensing courses, including as needed radioactive sealed source, laser safety, chemical safety, and maintains all relevant laboratory safety and training records.
• Provides input for scheduling labs in the course scheduling process and assists with enrollment by determining which lab sections should be opened and when to open additional sections.
• Develops work plans and timelines to staff the teaching labs with both technicians and TAs.
• Makes recommendations as to appropriate equipment to acquire for teaching purposes.
• Ensures procurement and maintenance of lab instrumentation.
• Manages all day-to-day operational activities of the Department of Chemistry's teaching laboratory spaces, which contain highly specialized teaching equipment and resources.
• Manages and controls internal and external usage of teaching labs, equipment, and resources, advising instructors and faculty on these resources and invoicing parties as necessary.
• Communicates with students, instructors, and teaching assistants to solve day-to-day problems involving resource availability and allocations (software, tools, equipment, etc.), lab and teaching space scheduling, and optimization of facility use.
• Reports concerns about lab safety, staff, or students to the Department Head, Chemistry Undergraduate Advisor, or the Associate Dean, Students, or UBC Centralized Accident/Incident Reporting System (CAIRS) as appropriate.

Coordinating Laboratory Courses

• Serves as a liaison and manages relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the Department, including partner departments, facilities, Health and Safety, vendors, and equipment maintenance professionals.
• Trains and manages graduate and undergraduate TAs. Documents that everyone working in labs has received appropriate safety training, including UBC Chemsafe/WHMIS certification.
• Organizes and conducts meetings with TAs to ensure that TAs understand and can guide students through all lab procedures, use of any equipment, proper waste disposal, and all relevant safety issues.
• Connects and meets with vendors, technicians, and sales representatives to coordinate the purchase and maintenance of all teaching labs’ equipment.
• Manages and stores a Chemistry store with consumables that are used across all the Faculty.
• Identifies feedback mechanism and collects data and feedback from course participants, lecturers and other relevant parties.

Carries out any other related duties as necessary.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors in carrying out the responsibilities of this position could lead to unsafe laboratory conditions which will jeopardize the safety of students, teaching assistants, and faculty. The position is in the undergraduate laboratories, so pedagogic integrity and curriculum adherence must be maintained daily. Failure to do so will jeopardize the learning outcomes of undergraduate students.

Supervision Received
This position operates under the academic direction of the instructional faculty and the administrative direction of the Department Head.

Supervision Given
This position manages laboratory technicians, Teaching Assistants and other instructional personnel involved in the academic and technical support of the undergraduate laboratory.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of four 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

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, such as Chemistry. M. Sc. or PhD. in Chemistry is preferred.
• Proficient knowledge of UBC and regulatory requirements for safety, waste disposal, laser use, and sealed radioactive sources in chemistry laboratories.
• Excellent critical thinking and judgement skills.
• Experience with effective instructional design and techniques is an asset.
• Knowledge of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and best practices for laboratory safety are an asset.
• Verbal and written fluency with English is required for this position.
• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, project management, and organizational skills.
• Effective supervisory and time management skills
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion.
• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with leadership and partners, as well as all others involved in the delivery of educational initiatives.
• Ability to prioritize work, show initiative, and meet deadlines
• Ability to design and implement new systems/programs to optimize efficiency and workflows
• Able to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends and/or occasional early mornings as required for program delivery.

Compensation Range $6,251.00 - $8,986.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date February 13, 2026

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

Job End Date Ongoing

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 End Date Ongoing

Job Title Teaching Laboratory Manager

Department UBCO | Faculty | Department of Chemistry | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Sciences

Compensation Range $6,251.00 - $8,986.00 CAD Monthly