Description
The Department of Physiology & Pharmacology in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Manager. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
This position reporting to the Principal Investigator, is for a highly skilled senior scientist with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, concepts, technical aspects and practices essential to directing complex neuroscience research projects related to our understanding of neuronal excitability and homeostatic plasticity in the context of somatosensation and the development of chronic pain. The role is multifaceted, and includes directing the research program, training and mentoring lab members, developing and derisking new projects, as well as managing multiple collaborative research projects and obtaining independent funding.
The Research Manager's role will be to substantially contribute to leading the research program's scientific and administrative arms.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Project Leadership:
- Develop, design, and implement research projects for summer students, graduate & postdoctoral trainees, as well as research staff
- Develop and implement scientific vision
- Establish and maintain multi-faceted research team
- Manage performance and development of individual team members to maximize success and motivation
- Oversee research progress by meeting with trainees and staff regularly, and adjust training or project objectives as necessary
- Oversee development of technical and animal protocol
- Oversee the development and management of the lab budget
- Assume fiscal responsibility with respect to cost of experiments, technology, external collaborations, and travel
- Oversee and direct relevant lab staff to ensure lab operations meet all compliance and regulatory guidelines
- Oversee management of legal issues related to research (i.e. ethics, MTAs, IP)
- Coordinate the assembly and submission of papers for publication
- Coordinate the assembly and submission of provincial, national, and international grants
- Initiate and manage institutional, national, and international collaborations
- Seek out new opportunities and provide recommendations to enhance technology and support systems
Staff Management:
- Work with Principal investigator to determine positions that would support the strategic goals of the Research group
- Manages the creation job profiles, hiring, and onboarding of staff
- Performs and engages staff in annual performance reviews
- When required, performs disciplinary, including terminations, actions
- Oversees the complete range of human resource management
Use of technical knowledge & expertise:
- Collaborate in designing research projects that will attract external funding, high calibre trainees, as well as lead to peer-reviewed high-impact publications
- Serve as experimental research lead on laboratory equipment, liaise with vendors and engineers for maintenance and purchases, and train new students and staff on the use of the equipment.
- Oversee the design, implementation, derisking, and optimization of new experimental research projects
- Provide expert oversight on technical matters
- Author scientific publications
- Author grants
Communication:
- Engage the external environment through thought leadership and by publishing scientific work
- Establish and maintain visible and active engagement with key opinion leaders, professional societies, and other academic institutions
- Oversee completion of reporting requirements
- Develop presentations to report scientific progress
- Present project progress at conferences and meetings to encourage collaboration
- Act as a liaison to provide communication between collaboration research teams, supervisors, industry partners, and funders
Qualifications / Requirements:
- PhD. in neuroscience
- Minimum 10 years of experience as staff scientist in a comparable position
- Expert in electrophysiology and imaging techniques, as evidenced by a strong publication record
- Experience contributing to and leading projects involving multidisciplinary teams, including computer modelers, industry partners, and internal and external collaborators
- Ability to multitask, manage time effectively, determine priorities as well as delegate tasks appropriately, and meet short and long-term deadlines and deliverables
- Strong writing skills and knowledge of statistical analysis, and experience writing scientific publications and grants
- Experience hiring and managing staff and trainees, as evidenced by previous history of direct reports
- Experienced and knowledgeable of research administrative procedures, including budget administration, human resources, occupational health, biosafety, and animal research requirements
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent leadership and organizational skill
- Self-direction, positive outlook, and enthusiasm
- Creativity, curiosity, and integrity
Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Research Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
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 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.
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 the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
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.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.