To provide management, oversight and support of Khalifa University's (KU's) Biosafety Level (BSL) 2 and BSL 3 research laboratories and be responsible for ensuring adherence to Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), high quality service delivery and to lead the full international ISO accreditation process of the facilities. The role covers duties that require considerable technical knowledge and ability in the assigned field of specialization. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment in the performance of duties and will be responsible for ensuring a safe working environment, supervising staff and students in the laboratory or classroom environments, maintain adequate stocks of all laboratory supplies, ensure that equipment are in working order and activity logged with adequate records.
- To provide an effective and efficient technical support service for the university's BSL 2 and BSL 3 Research Laboratories for faculty, staff, researchers and students.
- To provide training support and technical assistance to research staff.
- To lead communication with researchers on issues relating to the technical services, facilities and equipment or activities under their supervision.
- To lead ISO accreditation of facilities and support other accreditation processes.
- Responsible for the day-to-day activities and smooth running of the BSL 2 and BSL 3 facilities.
- To manage technical staff, allocates duties, conducts appraisals, provide training and take responsibility for all-round development of staff.
- To ensure the maintenance of all equipment as well as the Biological Sample Archived repository as per International Best Practices.
- Maintain a Research study log, with associated Study Identifiers to ensure all study samples are processed, archived and retrieved with ease as required.
- Responsible for annual Capex/Opex budget requests in conjunction with the university's College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) Research Office.
- Authority to procure consumable items and to maintain financial records.
- To manage and order resources within the laboratories: maintaining adequate stock levels, requisitioning of apparatus and materials where appropriate.
- Coordinate and contribute to general laboratory housekeeping, maintenance and decontamination practices
- Manage, take responsibility for and drive the preparation of all protocols and standard operating procedures and rigorously apply agreed procedures throughout all experimental activities.
- Practical involvement in service delivery in a large facility; prioritizing of activity.
- Consultation with and advice to staff and students on techniques including the safe and proper use and application of equipment/instruments, electronic apparatus etc.
- Supporting the installation of new equipment and preparation of safe operating guidelines in liaison with the laboratory management team.
- To observe good laboratory practices and promote a team-based approach to work.
- To maintain Health and Safety documentation and implement a safe working environment for the laboratories as per Khalifa University policies and procedures as well as best practices and relevant legal requirements.
- Ensuring risk assessment forms are prepared by staff and students within the working environment, providing instruction and advice on completion of forms in accordance with legal and local requirements as required.
- Overseeing the general operation, organization and tidiness of the working environment and the management of hazardous wastes. Ensuring contaminated apparatus is dealt with in a safe manner in accordance with proper procedure. Enforcing proper procedures for the maintenance of the work area as necessary.
- To conduct laboratory research to a high standard and contribute to other projects as required.
- To oversee, support, train and mentor the technician staff, as well as providing support and training for any project lab-based research Technicians, Research Assistants (pre-doctoral/postdoctoral) and Students (postgraduate).
- Actively contribute to the design, development and use of in vitro and in vivo assays.
- To contribute to the analysis of data and writing up of results to be presented at local, national and international meetings and in peer reviewed journals.
- Produce written reports for various university bodies
- Responsible for the implementation of plans, policies and procedures in liaison with the KU research laboratory oversight committee.
- The organization and supervision of KU supported technical staff in the use of specialist techniques and/or equipment associated with the facilities and research needs.
- Liaison and networking with outside agencies, visitors, etc. at all levels.
- Supervision of KU funded technical staff including workforce planning, managing staff absence and timekeeping along with training of technical staff in the relevant techniques and responsibility for their all-round development.
- Applying technical expertise, initiative and problem solving techniques to produce solutions for academic requirements such as the design and construction of experiments using quantitative and qualitative analysis where necessary to determine or evaluate practice; providing assistance with the interpretation of results.
- Participation in internal networks and contribution to broader Faculty/University activity, including working groups and projects.
- Prepare and maintain adequate laboratory records of methods, sample details and results upon request.
- Ensure adherence to the University's information security policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly.
- Ensure coordination with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities, as and when needed.
- Perform any other tasks assigned by Line Manager.
- Skills and Knowledge
- Able to oversee activity in multiuser research labs.
- Undertakes specialist laboratory work as allocated including demonstration of and training of other laboratory users in specialist techniques
- Provides technical support on the co-ordination of service contracts and procurement of laboratory equipment for research labs at KU.
- Coordinates training including delivery of induction and introductory sessions for new starters.
Qualifications & Experience
Position equivalent to a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) Level 3 or 4 in the UK Health Service Setting.
- Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences or a related subject with preference for Master and Ph.D. degree holders.
- Six (6) years of relevant experience working in a clinical laboratory setting in both BSL 2 and BSL 3 facilities.
- Three (3) years of management experience of overseeing laboratories.
- Previous demonstrable experience at leading an ISO accreditation application for laboratories is preferred.
- Preference will be given to candidates with previous dual clinical microbiology diagnostic laboratory BSL 2 and BSL 3 experience.
Required Experience
A minimum 8 -12 years of relevant experience.
