Laboratory Manager

The Platform Innovation Labs (PIL) Research Operations Manager will be responsible for the efficient and safe day-to-day operation of the research laboratory space, ensuring that scientific teams have the resources, equipment, and environment necessary to conduct their experiments. This role requires a highly organized, proactive individual with strong communication skills and a deep commitment to laboratory safety and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement and Inventory Management

• Ordering and Receiving: Manage the ordering of all necessary laboratory reagents, consumables, and supplies, particularly those not stocked by the central Shared Quality Management (SQM) team. Receive and distribute packages to the appropriate lab members.
• Inventory Tracking: Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventory records for all reagents, supplies, and stock materials.
• Vendor Negotiation: Regularly review purchase volumes across PIL and work with lab members and vendors to negotiate discount pricing.
• Space Maintenance: Oversee the organization and maintenance of shared Tissue Culture (TC) space and manage general laboratory cleanups and organization initiatives.

• Maintenance and Repair: Serve as the primary contact for instrumentation service. This includes logging service tickets for down instrumentation with various vendors and local providers (including refrigeration and facility equipment) and coordinating timely repairs.
• Downtime Management: Communicate instrumentation downtime to researchers and proactively identify and alert teams to alternative options or strategies for critical experiments.
• Preventative Maintenance (PM): Track and ensure all scheduled preventative maintenance for instrumentation is performed on time.
• Scheduling and Training: Manage the scheduling calendars (e.g., Bookit) for shared instrumentation and assist in coordinating or performing training sessions on various pieces of shared equipment for new and existing users.

• Training Compliance: Monitor and ensure all floor members complete required EHS training via Traincaster and orient new lab members to mandatory training requirements.
• Safety Liaison: Attend monthly Broad Lab Operations Group (BLOG) and EHS meetings, reporting key updates and action items back to the research teams.
• Safety Infrastructure: Coordinate annual certification and calibration of all Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs).
• Emergency Response: Act as the designated Emergency Evacuation Coordinator (EEC) point person for the lab floor.
• Waste Management: Oversee and manage compliance for all satellite waste accumulation areas (chemical, biological, etc.).
• Inventory Updates: Maintain accurate and current chemical and biological inventories.
• Safety Equipment: Conducts weekly lab safety inspections and leads annual Level 2 institutional inspection.
• Storage Management: Manage and optimize the organization and space within shared laboratory refrigerators and freezers.
• Cell Line Tracking: Maintain a centralized and up-to-date tracking system for all cell lines utilized in the laboratory.

• IBC/ORSP: Assist with updates related to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and support tasks related to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP).
• Leading without authority: the candidate will be key in keeping the floor running smoothly and resolving any conflicts which may arise between researchers or groups. Regular communication with all the group leaders/PIs on the floor will be necessary

• BS in life sciences with 6+ years of related experience, or MS in life sciences with 4+ years of related experience.
• Proven experience in laboratory operations, management, or administrative roles.
• Experience with mammalian cells and tissue culture is required.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, cloning and PCR is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with scientists, vendors, and administrative staff.
• Familiarity with lab safety protocols, EHS regulations, and compliance standards (e.g., IBC, waste management).
• Ability to diffuse difficult situations, lead without authority, and delegate tasks
• Proficiency with scheduling software (e.g., Bookit) and inventory management systems.