Undergraduate Teaching and Body Donation Coordinator

Department: Human Health Sciences
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

Temporary full-time from 04/27/2026 to 12/31/2026 
Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent 

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. 
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) 

General Purpose

The teaching coordinator and anatomy technician is responsible for assisting the course coordinator with the preparation and delivery of the laboratory components of the undergraduate anatomy courses, for training graduate students in the discipline on proper lab and cadaver management techniques, for education through our academic outreach program which teaches anatomy to external community partners, and for verifying the health and safety standards pertaining to the use of human bodies in lab settings.

This person is also responsible for the technical oversight of the body donation program, including embalmment and cadaver preparation and management.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversee laboratory-based teaching for all human anatomy courses offered by the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph Humber, as well as educational sessions hosted by the Human Anatomy Program; may include synchronous and asynchronous online teaching.
2. Assist with the development and digital imagery of cadaveric-based dissections and / or series of dissections to be utilized in the program as prosections and / or the development of teaching resources.  Ensure that program policy regarding the use and sharing of cadaveric-based images / videos are strictly adhered to.
3. Assist the Course Coordinator develop and oversee a student volunteer program in human anatomy.
4. Along with Course Coordinator, responsible for the oversight of critical health and safety standards and regulations pertaining to the use of human bodies in a lab/morgue in Ontario. 
5. Ensure high standards of laboratory maintenance, as well as that of cadavers and cadaveric-based prosections.  
6. Train teaching assistants, graduate and undergraduate students in Human Anatomy Code of Conduct policies, in the respectful handling of human donors (cadavers) and health and safety practices in the laboratory; ensure strict adherence to all policies.
7. Oversee duties of junior lab technician, upper year mentors, volunteers and co-op students.
8. Plan and perform whole body section cuts using a variety of saws for the purpose of laboratory-based teaching and anatomy module development
9. Assist with the training and delivery of the human anatomy outreach program, teaching specialized educational sessions for healthcare professionals and emergency workers.
10. Assist with other departmental duties as required.

Embalmment of Cadavers for Human Anatomy Academic Program

• Time-sensitive anatomical embalmment and preservation of whole-body donors. Latex-injection of circulatory systems for advanced dissections.
• Dissection of the recently deceased (unfixed, potentially infectious) to access circulatory system for injection of embalming solution, and drainage of blood.
• Preserve whole-body donors to an expert standard such that tissues last for 5+ years, unlike funeral embalming.
• Preparation and safe use of carcinogenic embalming chemicals.
• Expertise with large tools for advanced dissection (electrical bandsaw, autopsy saws, hand-tools) and overseeing use of same.
• Train technicians to perform the above.

Human Anatomy Laboratory Health and Safety, Maintenance, Dissection, and Inventory

• Oversee the critical health and safety standards required to operate a human anatomy laboratory/morgue in Ontario. Ensure and enforce laboratory, morgue security and maintenance according to the Chief Coroner of Ontario regulations as described in the Anatomy Act of Ontario, the Ontario Health and Safety Standards and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation 833.
• Oversee critical maintenance and disinfection of all cadavers (20 in the laboratory per academic year and 20-25 cadavers in the cold storage morgue) as well as hundreds of preserved specimens.  (Critical to prevent mold growth on cadavers/respiratory infections in staff and students).
• Responsible for oversight and training of junior laboratory technician(s) and volunteers as they help with general laboratory duties / maintenance/dissection
• Perform specialized section cuts using an electrical bandsaw and a variety of surgical saws to prepare required specimens for courses/outreach education and module development.
• Assist Senior technician/ Course Coordinator with cadaver and specimen inventory.

Laboratory-based Teaching, Training and Anatomy Module Development

• Laboratory-based teaching – lead / teach laboratory-based content for all courses and outreach-based educational sessions.
• Teach in cadaveric-based laboratory to undergraduate students enrolled in human anatomy courses offered by the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph Humber including both synchronous online teaching of the same.  The present laboratory facilities enable human cadaveric-based dissection and prosection learning for >1000 undergraduate students per year.
• Assist with the grading of multiple forms of assessment / learning activities; ensure students receive prompt and effective feedback.
• Assist students with comprehension of course content as needed, especially regarding experiential components of courses (labs, seminars, tutorials, online discussions, etc.).
• Manage communication with students via course websites, email, electronic conferencing, phone discussions, and in the laboratory, seminars, and during office hours.
• Independently research, analyze, develop, assemble, prepare, implement, and deliver high quality teaching materials, laboratory manuals, advanced instructional text, figures, illustrations, multiple forms of student assessment (assignments, quizzes, tests, discussions, exam questions), marking schemes and rubrics for all forms of assessment (after evaluation scheme has been established with the faculty instructor(s)). This must be done using advanced dissection techniques and audio-visual technology.
• Communicate with teaching faculty to ensure laboratory-based teaching objectives of undergraduate courses in human anatomy are met. 
• Provide guidance, instruction, work scheduling, work delegation, and training, to graduate teaching assistants and new staff; conduct meetings, delegate duties and responsibilities to graduate teaching assistants as appropriate.
• Take a leadership role in course delivery, work independently or collaboratively with co-authors/instructors for courses.
  • Provide timely and constructive feedback regarding laboratory aspects of courses to departmental / college representatives (e.g., teaching faculty, departmental Chair, curriculum committee)
  • Assist in the training of graduate students and upper year students in the use of advanced AV technology for their course projects.
  • Assist with the training of Graduate Teaching Assistants and hundreds of undergraduate anatomy students in safe and respectful practices in the Human Anatomy laboratory.
  • Assist in the planning and teaching of curriculum-based educational sessions for healthcare professionals, emergency workers, colleges, and high school participants

Administration and Events Management

• Along with senior staff members responsible for the training of students and delivery of the human anatomy outreach program.
• Responsible for curriculum development and organization of cadaveric specimens, pertaining to the teaching and delivery of specialized continuing medical education workshops for healthcare professionals and emergency workers.  
• Plan and coordinate educational sessions for colleges, and high school participants
• Promote aspects of the human anatomy program by increasing public awareness
• Along with senior technicians in Human Anatomy organize special events in human anatomy including the annual celebration of life and learning to honour donors and their families, a biennial committal service of ashes, other special events.
• Assist with developing and plan newsletters, brochures and other advertising platforms to increase public awareness of our program

Requirements

• MSc Anatomy - an advanced skill set in human cadaveric dissection techniques is required.
• Master’s degrees are required for the instruction and training of undergraduate students in the lab
• Cadaver embalming experience is essential
• Experience in a human anatomy laboratory/morgue, handling cadavers, and hazardous chemicals.
• Knowledge of regulations governing morgues, excellent communication skills and experience in dealing with the public will be an asset
• Academic and practical experience in cadaveric human anatomy
• Safe, respectful and dignified handling of human cadavers
• Working with hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals
• Coordinating a large team of people
• Advanced and detailed knowledge in human anatomy
• Knowledge for proper handling and preservation of cadaveric specimens
• Advanced dissection of cadaveric materials preparation                
• Competence with a variety of saws (e.g., autopsy, surgical and band saws)
• Knowledge and skill in specific anatomical embalming
• Health and safety standards and regulations governing human anatomy laboratories; safe handling of formaldehyde- based chemicals; cadaver and pro-section maintenance and preservation; experience using all types of surgical saws and a band saw; knowledge of the Anatomy Act protocol, and all documentation required by the Chief Coroner of Ontario with regard to body donation to a School of Anatomy; coordinating a team of workers in a very dynamic environment; working with the public and learning how to deal with a variety of issues of a sensitive nature; all management aspects of the human anatomy program

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10299070 
Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 7  
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

*Tentative evaluation; subject to final review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 02/27/2026  
Closing Date: 03/05/2026