University of Toronto

Manager, Research Regulatory Affairs

University of Toronto$120K — $200K *
Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in microbiology or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
  • Five years of experience in leading biosafety and bio-risk management in a large academic environment.
  • Experience with regulatory oversight in high-containment settings.
  • Proven capability in developing policies and procedures aligned with regulatory requirements.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues.

Responsibilities

  • Manage regulatory compliance programs concerning biosafety and biosecurity.
  • Serve as primary Biological Safety Officer under the HPTA.
  • Oversee biosafety and biosecurity, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
  • Conduct audits and assessments of laboratories working with hazardous materials.
  • Develop and deliver training sessions related to safe handling of hazardous agents.

Benefits

  • Full-time, continuing position with stability.
  • Involvement in significant national regulatory discussions.
  • Opportunity to lead and innovate within an academic research environment.
  • Support from university leadership in the management and implementation of safety protocols.
  • Potential for professional development and training opportunities.
Full Job Description
Date Posted: 06/22/2026
Req ID:48871
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Environmental Health and Safety
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

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

About University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest university in Canada by enrollment and one of the top-ranked universities in the world. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of academic disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, and business. The University of Toronto is known for its research excellence and has produced many notable alumni, including four Nobel laureates. The university was founded in 1827 and has three campuses in the Toronto area.
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