Manager, Advanced Facilities for Avian Research

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade 13: $61,250 - $72,020; commensurate with experience

Please note, this is a 2-year contract opportunity with a comprehensive benefits package.

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

Western Science ranks among Canada's top ten Faculties of Science. With 1,215 faculty and staff, over eight departments and six centres, the Faculty of Science is dedicated to advancing the scientific frontier in order to address societal challenges. We work in collaboration with members of the local, national, and international community to inform decisions which impact on issues of environment and sustainability, to build industrial capacity through, for example, the development of multiple applications for big data, and to challenge existing boundaries by conceiving new materials and biomaterials.

The Advanced Facilities for Avian Research has the world’s first hypobaric climatic wind tunnel for bird flight that allows research into the physiology and aerodynamics of bird flight in high altitude conditions. In combination with specialized indoor and outdoor holding rooms and cutting edge experimental and analytical facilities; AFAR is a leading centre for the study of avian neurobiology, physiology and behavior.

The Manager is responsible for the smooth operation and maintenance of the Advanced Facilities for Avian Research (AFAR) animal care facility, building systems, equipment, and instrumentation in a state of research readiness. The role will provide effective and efficient management of the facility in all respects, ensuring that researchers, faculty members, students, postdoctoral scholars, external clients and other stakeholders have the required training, information, guidance, documentation, and resources required to support them in their research, ensuring compliance with all protocols and procedures, guidelines and regulations related to Animal Use Ethical Compliance. The role will act as a point person for health and safety issues, overseeing biosafety and hazardous material compliance, conduct inspections to ensure safe practices are employed, and assist in the resolution of issues that arise in the facility. The Manager will serve as the primary wind tunnel operator and safety officer for high-altitude flights in the wind tunnel and laser safety during particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of aerodynamics, and will assist researchers in running their experiments. The role will oversee daily animal husbandry and health monitoring, oversee animal technicians and daily husbandry performed by research teams, schedule maintenance of requirement equipment and instrumentation, and participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of protocols.

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in biological sciences or relevant discipline
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience:

• 3 years of experience managing animal care facilities and working with birds in a research environment
• Technical experience operating and maintaining scientific equipment/instrumentation
• Experience managing staff and students in a laboratory environment is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of research principles and techniques in their area of specialty
• Knowledge of general laboratory procedures and familiarity with preventative maintenance techniques and practices
• Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
• Communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users
• Ability to write clear, concise and accurate procedural documentation
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the facility’s events and activities
• Ability to provide guidance, support and feedback in a way that is positively received
• Computer skills in software and applications related to the research (such as Microsoft Office Suite, PeopleSoft Financials) with the ability to learn and use relevant software that achieves required outcomes and is in line with best practices
• Excellent troubleshooting ability along with hands-on expertise in technical support
• Possess a reputation for resourcefulness with a strong sense of accountability and initiative
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Ability to provide guidance on the proper and safe use of materials and equipment and to adhere to legislated safety requirements and Western safety policies
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problems
Familiarity with University policies and procedures preferred

Please note, successful applicants may be required to produce current record check(s) (e.g. vulnerable sector, criminal record and police information) from a police service prior to commencing employment.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.