At Professional Officers Division (POD), we bring our rich industry experience and technical skills into our work, creating a better physical environment where learning and innovation take place. We work with teaching programmes and innovation projects to improve the skills of our students and strengthen our industry and the wider community. The Senior Assistant Manager supports laboratory operation and laboratory maintenance; ensuring laboratories are safe and in conducive condition for laboratory research and education activities. 

Job Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations and Maintenance:

• Establish, maintain, and update a repository of standard operating procedures (SOPs), including risk assessments, and other essential documentation for the laboratory.
• Assist and support Principal Investigators (PIs) and other lab users in setting up, maintaining, and executing proper maintenance protocols for laboratory equipment.
• Oversee the daily operations and upkeep of the laboratory, which include maintaining inventory lists of chemicals, licenses and permits, and waste management.
• Assist in the process of moving equipment into and out from the AR lab and ARO storeroom, with guidance from PI and ARO.
• Liaise with external vendors to ensure necessary documents such as Contractor Work Statement (CWS) are endorsed by Estates before vendor’s work commencement in the laboratory.
• Point of contact for chemical procurement: review and ensure necessary permits are in place and storage limits are not exceeded before chemical purchase. 
• Facilitate logistics arrangement to optimize space usage such as receiving and disposal of assets and liaising with Estates to upkeep the AR storeroom.

Laboratory Safety:

• Ensure lab users adhere to safety protocols, regulations, and standards within the laboratory environment by collaborating with the POD Safety Team, PIs, and their respective project teams.
• Mitigate potential risks by assessing User risk assessments and supporting PIs in implementing risk controls.
• Implement the requirements of the Lab Safety Management system, which include:

• • conducting lab safety induction for new users;
  • confirming user lab safety training;
  • conducting regular safety inspections;
  • and implementing safety procedures; and
  • identifying opportunities for improvement.

Laboratory Space Allocation:

• Review the resources requested by PIs and evaluate the physical layout and infrastructure of the laboratory to determine the space suitability for the intended projects.
• Optimise space usage by enhancing layout, including equipment arrangement within the laboratory and assessing the potential technical requirements for the space and equipment.
• Work with ARO and Faculty LIC on space allocation recommendations based on the assessments conducted in points a and b.
• Support the review of space-related change requests, including space usage extension and additional space needs.
• Assist PI and project team in setting up and configuring equipment or instrumentation, and in vacating the space upon project completion.
• Maintain accurate records of space assignments, utilization, and changes and ensure timely updates to the research space inventory database.
• Approve lab access requests for users after completion of lab safety induction

• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Director, POD or supervising officer for the effective support of division operations and activities

Job Requirements

• Have a minimum University Degree, preferably in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Process Technology, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering or equivalent qualification.
• Preferably with at least 5 years of work experience in food processing plants/ labs. Prior experience in food industries will be advantageous.
• Having experience in managing food-related research laboratory will be an advantage.
• Have practical knowledge of safety and license requirements for the operation of the laboratory.
• Have knowledge in basic food hygiene, and good manufacturing practices.
• Possess ability to establish work priorities and perform work with minimum supervision.
• Demonstrate strong initiative and take ownership of work.
• Possess ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with people within and external to the university.
• Possess flexibility to work across functions/teams as part of a team in a dynamic environment