Gifs Laboratory Technician Iii, Opal

**GIFS Laboratory Technician III, OPAL**:
The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) is a rapidly expanding Institute based at the University of Saskatchewan. Our **Vision** is a **world where everyone has access to safe and nutritious food.** This is a bold vision, one that we will strive to achieve through investing in our talent. In line with our **Mission, we will work with our employees, partners, and stakeholders to discover, develop, and deliver innovative solutions for the production of globally sustainable food.**

We are guided by our Values of**:Innovation. Excellence. Collaboration. Integrity. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.**

**PRIMARY PURPOSE**
The Laboratory Technician III, OPAL is an active lab team member, primarily working within the lab and contributing to hands-on lab work. This role ensures the lab operates safely and efficiently, providing both administrative and technical support. Responsibilities include overseeing critical lab functions such as Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

**NATURE OF WORK**
Reporting to the Platform Lead, OPAL, the Laboratory Technician III is responsible for managing and contributing to the day-to-day lab operations and workflows while tracking ongoing projects and ensuring adherence to the highest quality and efficiency standards. The Laboratory Technician III provides direction, training, and support to the technical team while also playing a leading role in the validation, optimization, and development of protocols. An expert in genomics techniques and key member of the technical team, the Laboratory Technician III spends a majority of their time in the lab and is fluent in all techniques employed in the OPAL platform. They routinely execute standard and advanced lab protocols and resolve technical problems in the lab with the support of their colleagues in the technical team. Occasionally there may be a requirement to work outside of standard hours.

You are part of the GIFS team, and your work is highly interconnected with other programs and platforms within GIFS. You lead the day-to-day priority and scheduling decisions in partnership with the Platform Lead, OPAL. Work volume is high with a high degree of judgement required for day-to-day technical decision making. The impact of error is high as it could result in reputational damage, significant losses in time and revenue, or replacement of materials and supplies.

Your success requires you to understand the interconnectedness of GIFS and the impact that changes and operations have on all the platforms, programs, customers, and the reputation of GIFS. Key characteristics of the role include a strong commitment to safety, support of change management, and team leadership through exemplification of GIFS values. Other characteristics include well-developed communication, organizational, and project management skills and the ability to positively influence others while implementing difficult and challenging decisions. Agility, speed, and focus are essential to achieving milestones, deliverables, and outcomes.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES**
- Lead by example.
- Oversee the day-to-day functioning of the laboratory including workflow management and task assignments across the technical team.
- Lead and directly contribute to the development, validation, and optimization of laboratory protocols at the bench.
- Contribute directly to performance targets by executing routine and advanced protocols, as well as holding the technical team accountable for the achievement of day-to-day performance targets.
- Develop, implement, and maintain workflows in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Provide technical insight to inform quotes and customer communications.
- Supervise and support the training of technical staff in laboratory protocols and best practices, including safety training requirements.
- Troubleshoot, resolve, and implement long term solutions to advanced technical challenges including those with automation hardware operation and recovery following exceptions and adverse events.
- Manage and continuously develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including monitoring and ensuring compliance for technical staff to SOPs and QA/QC standards.
- Collaborate with the Platform Lead and technical team to improve processes and achieve greater operational efficiency.
- Ensure uninterrupted lab operations by managing inventory and ordering specialty reagents and consumables.
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe lab environment.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- MSc degree in Molecular Biology or related field.
- Minimum of five years of industry experience is required, with a focus on genomics techniques.
- Previous experience managing day-to-day lab operations, including task allocation to technical staff and inventory management.
- Experience developing and implementing SOPs, and training others in labora