Plant Growth Research Platform Coordinator

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

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

Job End Date

This position will be responsible for the overall operational management of multiple concurrent research projects at UBC Okanagans Plant Growth Facility. Duties include research project management; support for grant writing; infrastructure acquisition; training and advising on research techniques for biological research at the Plant Growth Facility a shared research platform dedicated entirely to scientific research. This position is also responsible for setting a strategy for maintaining high research standards; and for the implementation of operational policies safety standards and research protocols.

This position advises principal investigators on regulatory requirements as per federal provincial and University policies ensures excellent service to the research community within and outside UBC and establishes excellent partnerships with new users within and outside UBC.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Academic Director of the Plant Growth Facility but works with considerable latitude. May supervise part-time student workers.

This position interacts with the Academic Director Office of the Vice Principal Research and Innovation Principal Investigators Advisory Committee members researchers using the facility and their students Building Operations and Project Services. As part of the Advisory Committee this position provides the necessary operational information and data to allow the Committee to make informed addition this position liaises extensively with a variety of users both internal and external to UBC (industry collaborators vendors and government officials). This position provides guidance to researchers contributes to the development of research project plans and timelines and supports the documentation of findings and research related activities.

Work Performed

Optimization of research performance of the facility:

Develops and implements policies and standard operating procedures for client services. Conducts research-training sessions of the facility policies/protocols for students staff and faculty.

Oversees dozens of simultaneous experiments and their specific research requirements in different compartments within the facility.

Supports the development of grant proposals research reports and journal manuscripts particularly with regard to technical aspects such as the identification and development of methods required to perform studies and the preparation of data on environmental conditions during plant growth to ensure proper interpretation.

Evaluates the success of research projects undertaken in the Facility and prepares a database of metrics for use in annual reports and grant preparation.

Assesses the requirements of current and potential users and determines the feasibility of current infrastructure for matching these requirements

Creates and implements plans for maintenance upgrade and renovation of all equipment tools and infrastructure for the Plant Growth Facility; anticipates and resolves issues that could cause down time or interruptions to experiments.

Ensures optimal plant growing conditions for simultaneous research experiments in multiple compartments through effective management of greenhouse controls (temperature light and ventilation).

Makes professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of the facility.

Prepares and presents operational and strategic updates to the Academic Director and PGF Advisory Committee to inform decisionmaking.

Expertise in field of research:

Collaborates with researchers to assess their research needs provides cost estimates oversees research project plans and timelines and where appropriate organizes technical assistance.

Advises users on experimental design feasibility in controlled-environment and field conditions; provides guidance on timelines and growth parameters (e.g. photoperiod light temperature irrigation fertilization) to enable rigorous data collection and interpretation.

Works with users to develop and implement project protocols work plans and strategic research initiatives; tests viability of planned protocols in a greenhouse environment to ensure appropriate data collection.

Prepares budget forecasts for individual research projects.

Works with faculty to offer courses and training programs in the Plant Growth Facility.

Advises researchers on regulatory requirements for the conduct of research

Sustainability of the research facility

Provides advice to faculty for the development of grant proposals aimed at infrastructure upgrades to generate revenues for the facility. Leads internal grant writing and supports external grant writing to obtain funding for new infrastructure maintenance and student training (e.g. work-study).

Ensures reliable operations of greenhouse compartments and field spaces including environmental controls irrigation/fertigation sanitation and biosecurity.

Oversees development and implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols for compatibility with research projects; ensures compliance with regulatory policies set by the Ministry of Environment WorkSafe BC the BC Pesticide control Act and university policies regarding the application of pesticides pest control policies biosafety for regulated organisms and safety protocols.

Manages unforeseen problems and issues that result from experimentation. This includes identification and troubleshooting of current issues such as pest and disease mitigation nutrient deficiencies and operational design modifications.

Reviews pertinent reference literature to identify new technologies and may attend greenhouse production-related conferences in support of improving PGF research.

Facilities Administration

Sets priorities and goals for the management of the greenhouse and field facilities; leads continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service quality safety and both financial and environmental sustainability.

Responsible for all administrative procedures.

Oversees the maintenance and servicing of infrastructure; conducts comparative analyses of vendors and service providers (itemizes requirements specifications timelines cost and contract terms) and negotiates contracts.

Works with the Finance Officer to ensure financial activities are tracked and recorded; reviews research expenditures and ensures funds are being used in compliance with funding guidelines.

Participates in budget forecasting and preparation for the Plant Growth Facility as a shared research platform including user fee revenues and outlays for personnel and supplies.

Establishes specifications for major equipment upgrade and advises Academic Director and Associate VP Research and Innovation on capital investments.

Acts as subject matter expert for service engineers and UBC Project Services for major equipment upgrades or renovations.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position is required to make professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of the research work is responsible for the quality of research activities and is required to conduct all research and non-research activities in an ethical manner. Any procedures or data recorded as part of a research study must be accurate. Requires a high level of organizational skills to fulfill responsibilities and balance priorities. Requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills to maintain the shared infrastructure; operational effectiveness and reputation. Any deviation from standard operating procedures could damage the facility prove costly and set back the research efforts of Principal Investigators. Poor performance could jeopardize research projects and result in loss of funding. Errors in judgment may result in damage to the reputation of the University and endanger future internal and external collaborations.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the Academic Director but works with considerable latitude.

Supervision Given

This position provides guidance support and content advice/expertise to all faculty and staff working within the facility.

Qualifications
Minimum

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.

• Minimum of two years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred

• Willingness to obtain and maintain a BC Pesticide Applicators Certificate.

• Experience as an industry expert in greenhouse operations is preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of greenhouse policies and regulations in-depth knowledge of horticultural practices Integrated Pest Management principles expertise in insect and disease identification common to greenhouse environments.

• Experience in plant science research managing multiple projects and documenting research activities is preferred.

• Valid (Landscape- or Nursery-IPM) and BC Pesticide Applicators Certificates are an asset.

• Ability to conduct needs analyses plan organize manage monitor complete and evaluate research and capital investment projects within allocated time and resources.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Ability to prepare complete concise and understandable technical documentation (protocols and procedures).

• Ability to deal effectively and cooperatively with a diversity of people (from students to industry contacts).

• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

• Ability to manage and handle large teams.

• Ability to perform duties in accordance with the exemplary horticultural practices of the University including accurate documentation.

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job.

• Work is performed primarily indoors however may be required to work outdoors therefore good manual dexterity and ability to work in all weather is essential.

• Ability to use MS Office at an intermediate level (e.g. Outlook Word Excel).