Manager, Research Regulatory Affairs

Description:

About us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your opportunity:

Under the general direction of the Director, Operations, Research Safety & Compliance, Environmental Health and Safety, and with scientific advice from the Chairs of the University safety committees (IBBC, ILSC, LSC and IRPC), the Manager, Research Regulatory Affairs manages the University's regulatory compliance programs including but not limited to compliance plans, asset management (equipment), methods and techniques to achieve institutional compliance, work assignments for staff, duties and direct responsibilities of the Health and Safety Officers.  

The Manager serves as the primary Biological Safety Officer for institutional licences under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) and communicates with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and other regulatory agencies as needed on behalf of the institutional licence holder delegate, the Associate Vice-President (Research, Oversight and Compliance). The Manager oversees activities related to the institutional biosafety and biosecurity program and the institutional radiation safety program, as well as expands and creates parity across other federal, provincial, and municipal regulatory obligations, such as Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG). The incumbent is responsible for developing, maintaining, and promoting a high standard of safe practice within University laboratories which handle regulated human pathogens and toxins, biological materials, and hazardous biological agents to humans, animals, and plants; provides advice on safe handling of hazardous agents; containment requirement based on risk assessment; provides advice, reviews and assess applications for Biosafety Permits; conducts information and training seminars for laboratory and non-laboratory personnel; maintains up-to-date knowledge on safe handling, storage and containment, disposal and decontamination techniques; arranges and conducts routine site visits, audits, and assessments of laboratories handling hazardous agents, the use of invasive species in research (plants and animals); maintains closer contact with those responsible for the operation, monitoring and maintenance of the Level 3 Containment Laboratories, and renders assistance as required.

The incumbent oversees compliance of biosafety and biosecurity programs, the interaction of those programs with radiation protection, research ethics, and chemical compliance programs and ensures reasonable actions are taken on non-compliance,  manages work refusals relating to biological safety, retains employee files on medical surveillance results and has the authority to prevent employees accessing research space based on clinical outcomes of such assessments and represents the employer on numerous matters including notification to PHAC or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements with respect to license information or the Canadian Food Inspection Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, importation of animal or plant pathogens governed under HPTA or Health of Animal Act (HAA), the containment of known or potentially invasive species (i.e. arthropods, invertebrates, plants), and/or genetically modified organisms that could have a health of economic impact if released as per the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) regulated by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and the Nuclear Safety regulations regulated by the CNSC. 

The incumbent provides advice, develops strategies on the implementation of alternative operational plans in the event of any work stoppage/labour strike for related University areas working with unit leadership, remains as a consistent presence during any work cessation event in order to ensure the safety of faculty and staff related to high hazard materials on campus and the maintenance of research activities in a safe and secure environment. In addition, oversees the organizational risk assessments on numerous variables which are defined as highly confidential related to national security for the use of Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA) and would entail the Manager  Research Regulatory Affairs to represent the University on such matters should the need arise, including involvement with newly proposed regulations involving Biosafety and Biosecurity to ensure the university community’s involvement and contribution.

Essential Qualifications:
(MINIMUM)

Education:

Master’s degree in microbiology or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

Experience:

Five (5) years’ relevant experience leading biosafety and bio-risk management programs in a large academic setting, including experience conducting internal investigations of incidents, developing and advising on program development, policies, procedures, protocols and manuals as they align with the regulatory practices and requirements.  Experience with regulatory oversight of high-containment environments. Experience in emergency response and planning.  Staff management experience is strongly preferred.

Skills:

Working knowledge of academic research laboratory processes, equipment and facilities.  Ability to communicate complex technical issues to diverse clients.  Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work with senior administrative and academic administrators as well as Union leaders and regulators in a manner which facilitates cooperation. Ability to work independently with a high level of initiative and as part of a team. Superior organizational and analytical skills. Demonstrated flexibility and problem-solving orientation.

Other:

Ability to use monitoring and sampling equipment and personal computer. Knowledge of biological materials, biological safety and containment practices and principals and environmental regulatory compliance. Must possess valid driver’s licence. 

Closing Date: 07/16/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  PM 5 -- Hiring Zone: $120,499 - $140,583 -- Broadband Salary Range: $120,499 - $200,831
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial