Lab Administrator & Senior Instrument Specialist
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON, Canada
CAD 97,348-124,491 / year
Lab Administrator & Senior Instrument Specialist
Date Posted: 05/28/2026
Req ID: 48330
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Department of Earth Sciences
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00059535
Existing Vacancy: Yes
Description:
About us:
The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.
We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.
The Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto is ranked among the best institutions globally. Our department is internationally regarded for research in fundamental geoscience, having given rise to major advances in a number of areas. Counted among the departmental alumni are many leaders in academia, government, and industry. The Department of Earth Sciences emphasizes a tradition of excellence with a strong focus on research training, field and lab-based experience as a keystone of its comprehensive programs in geology, environmental geoscience and geophysics
Your opportunity:
The Lab Administrator and Senior Instrument Specialist will operate and manage cutting-edge analytical instrument facilities in the Department of Earth Sciences including daily operations of several high precision isotope ratio instruments (e.g. Thermo Delta Q mass spectrometer, gas cavity ring-down spectrometer, ICP-MS). An important part of this role will also be to train users, including students, to run samples, develop methods and protocols for quality control, and ensure their data are of the highest quality. In addition, the incumbent will oversee a trace-metal clean lab and support the daily operations of departmental laboratories as required. The incumbent will join a vibrant and diverse team of researchers and play an essential role by training future generations of geochemists.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Overseeing day-to-day operational needs for one or more labs/workshops
- Assessing needs and contributing to the development of operational plans for various laboratories especially those involving high precision isotope ratio instruments and cleanroom protocols.
- Troubleshooting issues with lab equipment; coordinating routine maintenance of lab equipment, especially instruments capable of highprecision isotope ratios.
- Serving as a technical resource on the development of new laboratory protocols; developing manuals on best practices for lab operations; developing protocols for quality assurance and quality control.
- Training students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, collaborators, and other lab users on using high precision isotope ratio instruments and cleanroom techniques. This will also include helping users develop and optimize methods.
- Training students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, collaborators, and other lab users on the safe operation of all lab equipment, ensuring compliance with all safety protocols.
- Coordinating the use of lab equipment and resources with internal and external contacts; liaising with stakeholders
- Monitoring finances, scheduling, inventory, and resupply to ensure smooth lab operation
Essential Qualifications:
- Master of Science in Earth Sciences or related discipline. Ph.D preferred
- Five years hands-on experience operating and maintaining high precision isotope ratio instruments and other laboratory equipment
- Relevant hands-on experience managing the operational needs of instrumental labs and trace metal cleanroom facilities
- Experience training lab users of various expertise
- Experience with quality control of high precision isotope ratio analyses and cleanroom techniques
- Experience drafting documentation detailing lab procedures and best practices
- Experience managing lab accounts, including of ordering lab inventory and resupply
- Experience training lab users on lab safety and safe operations of lab
- Sound technical knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems and how components work
- Strong team-oriented mindset. Ability to work closely with the PI's to ensure that the workflow and scientific direction of the labs align with strategic vision and research mandates
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with timely response to all inquiries
- Excellent organizational skills (both bookkeeping and maintaining tidiness of labs)
Assets (Nonessential):
- PhD degree specializing in Geochemistry
To be successful in this role you will be:
- Cooperative
- Motivated self-learner
- Multi-tasker
- Problem solver
- Responsible
Internal applicants may request a job description at adminhr.artsci@utoronto.ca
Closing Date: 06/15/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 15 -- $97,348. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $124,491. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching
Recruiter: Daniel Hoverd
Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.
Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.
Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.
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