Undergraduate Laboratory Instructor
The Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology (BMI), and Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology offer majors within the biomedical sciences program. Instruction in laboratory techniques is a key part of our majors.
Primary Purpose: To coordinate, supervise and teach undergraduate laboratory components of Methods in Laboratory Techniques (BMSC 240), and Methods in Cell and Developmental Biology (CPPS 331).
Nature of Work: Reporting to the Department Head of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology (BMI), and the Department Head of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology (APP), the incumbent works independently in a deadline-oriented manner and demonstrates professional judgement to ensure the smooth development and delivery of laboratory sessions. The position supervises one lab technician and up to 9 graduate student teaching assistants. The position is responsible for laboratory safety, including the safety of the students and employees in the class labs. Peak periods occur prior to the start of classes to prepare for courses and throughout the academic year to meet laboratory deadlines. The position follows standard university hours of work. However, occasional evenings and weekends may be required to meet the objectives of the course. Judgment and decision making largely follow established procedures and guidelines but also include making decisions which impact programs. Work is driven by constant deadlines. As the College’s curriculum and research needs evolve, duties and reporting structure may be re-evaluated in the future. The position requires working with biohazardous materials.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
- Plans, coordinates, supervises, and executes course laboratories, ensuring that students’ and faculty’s program goals and expectations are met.
- Develops and maintains a high level of knowledge/expertise in appropriate content areas as well as awareness of current advances in the academic area. Supports the success of instructional efficiency through effective recruitment, training, and supervision of teaching assistants in consultation with the Department Head(s).
- Develops and marks, or supervises the marking of student’s assignments, quizzes, and examinations in a timely and accurate manner. Assists with equipment maintenance in the laboratories of faculty members in the Biomedical Sciences.
- Prioritizes and addresses emerging issues in consultation with the Department Head(s), faculty, staff, and graduate student teaching assistants as necessary.
- Provides accurate and timely advice to staff, faculty, and students in the specific areas of Biomedical Sciences as it relates to the laboratory instructional areas.
- Ensures knowledge of, and compliance with, University and department safety protocols and policies when using labs and ensure the safety and well-being of students.
- Ensures the success of laboratory courses through the delivery of pre-lab talks, examination of students, marking laboratory reports and examination papers, for student instruction and learning, and through the improvement of the laboratory manuals by revising existing or developing new experiments, as needed.
- Supervision of the laboratory technician in the BMSC 240 laboratory.
- Ensures the successful completion of scheduled lab experiments by ensuring the necessary growth cultures, reagents, equipment and manuals are ordered and prepared for all experiments and courses; coordinates and schedules the laboratory experiments.
- Effectively delivers pertinent instructions to students during laboratory/tutorial sessions and supports faculty in ensuring a high standard of practical instruction
Education: MSc or PhD degree in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, or human health-related field is required.
Experience: Relevant experience teaching in biological sciences, including the development of teaching materials. Supervisory experience is an asset.
Skills: The position requires strong organizational and management abilities; effective instructional skills; ability to research and develop new practical laboratory sessions
in collaboration with faculty and technical staff, computer skills, ability to efficiently recruit, train and supervise graduate student assistants. Strong interpersonal communication skills are necessary to ensure that productive and positive relationships are developed and maintained with faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and other colleagues.Some situations may be stressful, requiring tact and diplomacy, flexibility, and good judgment. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in a deadline-oriented manner is essential. The incumbent works in office and lab environments, using computers and a range of laboratory equipment.
Department: Biochem,Microbiology,Immunolgy
Status: Term 5 with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $67,681.00 - 105,753.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Instructional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 6/24/2025
Closing Date: 6/30/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan. 