Program Operations Specialist

University of Washington Medical Center

4d•$54,204 - $81,312

About The Position

Position Purpose: The Lab Manager (ES6) supports the daily operations of the Institute for Protein Design’s which includes ~31,000 sqft of combined lab and office space at our 330 Yale campus and ~35,000 sqft at our main campus. Reporting to the Senior Lab Manager (Manager, ES9), this role is responsible for inventory management, equipment coordination, lab space organization, and supervision of undergraduate support staff across sites. The Lab Manager plays a critical role in maintaining a safe, well-stocked, and efficient research environment for IPD scientists and trainees. In the absence of the Senior Lab Manager, the Lab Manager is expected to exercise independent judgment to ensure the continuity of operations and maintain a safe laboratory environment. Position Complexities: This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple operational tasks across a large and dynamic research facility. The Lab Manager works independently on routine lab operations and collaborates closely with the Senior Lab Manager to implement safety protocols, manage vendor relationships, and support onboarding of new lab members. The role involves direct supervision of undergraduate assistants and coordination with scientific and administrative staff across IPD and the Department of Biochemistry. Position Dimensions and Impact to the University: The ES6 Lab Manager will support operations at the 330 Yale facility, which encompasses approximately 31,000 square feet of combined laboratory and office space. The Lab Manager will report to the Senior Lab Manager and oversee critical functions including inventory and supply chain management, equipment coordination, undergraduate staff supervision, and onboarding of new lab members. The impact of IPD both to the University and the region, as well as the global healthcare and science, is hard to overstate (https://www.washington.edu/boundless/ai-powered-medicine/) This position directly impacts the University’s research and educational missions by supporting over 250 researchers and trainees, enabling uninterrupted scientific activity and training programs. The Lab Management team processes approximately 10,000 annual order requests, and IPD’s supply expenditures which are forecasted to be $15M for FY26. These figures underscore the scale and complexity of operations that the Lab Manager will help manage, ensuring fiscal oversight and operational continuity in a rapidly growing research environment. By maintaining a safe, well-stocked, and organized laboratory infrastructure, the ES6 Lab Manager enables IPD scientists to focus on groundbreaking research, biotech spinouts, and high-impact publications—advancing the University’s global reputation for innovation and excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering + 1 year of experience in related field.
Familiarity with BSL1/BSL2 lab environments and sterile technique.
Strong communication and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supervising student employees.
Mechanically inclined with interest in equipment maintenance.
Experience in a wet-lab research setting and lab management systems.
Customer service and team oriented mindset

Responsibilities

Inventory & Supply Chain Management (30%) - Track and order lab consumables, reagents, and supplies to ensure uninterrupted research workflows.
Proactively monitor backorders and identify acceptable alternatives to prevent delays in experiments.
Maintain organized stockrooms and cold storage areas, ensuring critical materials are readily available and properly stored.
Anticipate supply shortages and communicate with vendors to secure timely delivery of essential items.
Travel between 330 Yale and MolES/NanoES locations as needed (by UCAR) to move critical supplies and shipments around as needed.
Lab Space & Equipment Coordination (25%) - Organize and maintain cold storage units and common-use spaces to promote equitable, efficient and safe laboratory operations.
Coordinate preventive maintenance and service contracts for equipment, ensuring compliance with manufacturer and institutional standards.
Assist with installation, calibration, and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments, working closely with trainees, technical staff and vendors.
Maintain records of equipment service history and collaborate with stakeholders to plan upgrades or replacements.
Negotiation with biotech companies with prices for services and equipment.
This role includes direct responsibility for large equipment maintenance management (e.g. service contracts) and distributed collaborative support among other stakeholders in the lab.
Complex negotiation and oversight of large buy and hold vendor contracts, oversight of supply chain management, direct oversight of multiple lab spaces.
Undergraduate Staff Supervision (15%) - Supervise daily activities of approximately 10 undergraduate lab assistants, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and on time.
Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and training of new support staff, providing clear guidance on laboratory protocols and safety practices.
Assign tasks based on operational priorities and monitor performance, offering feedback and coaching as needed.
Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training materials to reflect current best practices.
Lab Member Support & Ticket System (15%) - Respond promptly to lab management tickets and requests from IPD members, ensuring timely resolution of operational issues.
Grant access to instrument calendars, sequencing platforms, and synthesis accounts, maintaining accurate user permissions.
Serve as a resource for basic safety and operational questions, escalating complex issues to appropriate personnel when necessary.
Facilitate connections between lab members and institutional resources or technical experts for specialized support.
Orientation & Onboarding (10%) - Support onboarding of new lab members by coordinating safety training, account setup, and lab orientation activities.
Ensure new users are familiar with laboratory policies, equipment usage guidelines, and shared resource management.
Vendor & Purchasing Coordination (5%) - Communicate with vendors regarding quotes, orders, and service needs, ensuring competitive pricing and timely delivery.
Assist with negotiating purchasing agreements and managing supply chain logistics in collaboration with senior staff.
Track vendor performance and maintain positive working relationships to support long-term operational needs.