Associate Director, Core Laboratory Operations

Role Overview

Associate Director, Core Laboratory Operations at Khalifa University. This position oversees all functional and strategic planning for physical research infrastructure and the development of research laboratories into world-class facilities that support high-quality research and attract external collaborators. The role also manages Research Core Laboratories operations to ensure a high standard of service delivery.

Role Purpose

To lead the strategic development and day-to-day operations of the University's research laboratory infrastructure, ensuring compliance with safety and best practices while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting faculty, researchers, and students in conducting high-quality research.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Infrastructure Planning

• Contribute to the development of the Department's strategy for physical laboratory infrastructure aligned with the University's strategic research priorities through research centers and organized research units.
• Oversee all strategic planning for physical research infrastructure and develop laboratories into world-class facilities supporting high-quality research.
• Formulate and implement short and long-term goals for the operation and improvement of research laboratories.
• Contribute to the development of University-wide space planning activities.
• Interface with faculty to determine research space requirements and preferences.

Policy & Governance

• Contribute to the development of the Department's policies and procedures adhering to overall business objectives of the University and promoting leading practices and excellence.
• Develop, implement, update, and continually monitor departmental plans, policies, procedures and guidelines aligned with the University's research priorities and goals.
• Ensure day-to-day research laboratory operations are in compliance with safety regulations, protocols, and best practices.
• Adhere to the University's information security and confidentiality policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment and practice to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

Financial Management

• Contribute to the development and management of the Department's budgets.
• Monitor the performance of budgets and report back on a timely basis to ensure that divergences are addressed promptly.

Operations & Service Delivery

• Ensure day-to-day research laboratories operations are in compliance with safety regulations, protocols, and best practices.
• Provide planned and ad-hoc technical assistance and support to faculty, researchers, and students in conducting experiments, data collection and analysis.
• Facilitate access to specialized laboratory facilities and instrumentation.
• Actively lead staff, service and equipment programs that will increase usage of the laboratories and promote collaboration within the University as well as with external industrial and academic partners.
• Coordinate with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities related to the operations of the Research Laboratories department.

Collaboration & Partnership Development

• Support interdisciplinary research efforts by promoting cross-functional collaboration and integration of diverse research disciplines through the utilization of laboratory infrastructure.
• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the identification of niche market opportunities for the use of laboratory equipment that address specific needs or gaps in emergency response, recovery, and resilience.
• Conduct market research and analysis to assess demand, competition, and potential market penetration strategies for offering niche laboratory services.

Team Leadership

• Provide coaching, guidance and mentoring to enhance the internal capabilities of the team and ensure the achievement of established objectives and plans.
• Recommend appropriate training courses as per predetermined training needs, evaluate their effectiveness, and monitor their results.
• Carry out performance appraisals for subordinates according to planned schedules and recommend necessary actions as per applied practices.
• Conduct periodic meetings with subordinates to ensure that priorities are clear and workflow is running smoothly.
• Follow-up on employees' administrative affairs such as vacations, leaves and other administrative and related affairs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's Degree in Science or Engineering; Doctorate Degree preferred.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in research laboratory operations management directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in research laboratory operations management.
• A minimum of 3 years in a senior managerial position, preferably in higher education.

Additional Information

• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager.