Research Lab Manager

Harvard University • Boston, MA

126d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Laboratory Manager directs the day-to-day operations of a large (25+ people), internationally recognized Neurobiology Research Laboratory. This position calls for a responsible, diligent, conscientious and detail-oriented individual with a proven track record of managerial/leadership experience. A quick, resourceful and independent learner who enjoys interacting with people and finding creative solutions for projects and issues as they present themselves. Able to be flexible when organizing their day and managing multiple priorities at once.
This person will serve as a liaison between principal investigator, school-based compliance departments and lab members. They will be committed to facilitating the research goals of this hard-working group of investigators in a friendly yet assertive manner. Able to foster an operationally seamless environment for lab investigators to carry out their research. Handle the in-processing and out-processing of all lab members by guiding them through university onboarding processes and lab-specific requirements, by ensuring the compliance of mandated university training. Manage, guide, evaluate, provide feedback to, and generally support lab members in their roles within the lab.
Responsible for assisting with experiments when required, including directly carrying out experiments (based upon the specific prior research experience of the candidate); these experiments may include genotyping for colony management, running mice through behavioral assays, immunostaining, stereotaxic injections and mouse surgery, exposing mice to odors for molecular analysis, and single cell sequencing.
Responsible for maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of flow within the laboratory and managing the requirements to comply with general laboratory safety regulations. Responsible for writing and maintaining animal protocols and ensuring compliance of federal guidelines with respect to animal care regulations as well as maintaining a relationship with animal facility and vet staff to resolve animal-related problems and ensure proper spending for mouse colony maintenance.
Responsible for ordering of supplies and reagents on a weekly basis as well as determining the proper funding sources for purchases, maintenance of inventories, annual service contracts and repairs of equipment. Initiation and management of all orders using HCOM and other methods, track supplies and expenditures on a daily/weekly/monthly basis and maintain inventory.
Responsible for keeping lab budget in check, and communicating with principal investigator about spending and ideas for reducing costs, while ensuring that research projects can actively thrive. Communicate with vendors to attain bulk discounts and best pricing available. Working closely with grants manager on post-billing related challenges with vendors and internal AP Dept. Responsible for keeping lab spending in check by communicating with grants manager on spending levels, patterns and future forecasting.

Requirements

• College degree in a related field of research study.
• 3 or more years related work experience (relevant course work may count towards experience).
• Strong innovative and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership abilities, friendly, yet authoritative.
• Independent individual who is able to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented, ever-changing environment.
• Proactively assessing ways to make the lab a more efficient in regard to space, spending and workplace flow.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs the day-to-day operations of a large (25+ people), internationally recognized Neurobiology Research Laboratory.
• Serves as a liaison between principal investigator, school-based compliance departments and lab members.
• Facilitates the research goals of the group in a friendly yet assertive manner.
• Fosters an operationally seamless environment for lab investigators to carry out their research.
• Handles the in-processing and out-processing of all lab members by guiding them through university onboarding processes and lab-specific requirements, ensuring compliance of mandated university training.
• Manages, guides, evaluates, provides feedback to, and supports lab members in their roles.
• Assists with experiments when required, including directly carrying out experiments such as genotyping for colony management, running mice through behavioral assays, immunostaining, stereotaxic injections and mouse surgery, exposing mice to odors for molecular analysis, and single cell sequencing.
• Maximizes the efficiency and effectiveness of flow within the laboratory.
• Manages requirements to comply with general laboratory safety regulations.
• Writes and maintains animal protocols and ensures compliance of federal guidelines with respect to animal care regulations.
• Maintains a relationship with animal facility and vet staff to resolve animal-related problems and ensure proper spending for mouse colony maintenance.
• Orders supplies and reagents on a weekly basis.
• Determines proper funding sources for purchases.
• Maintains inventories, annual service contracts, and repairs of equipment.
• Initiates and manages all orders using HCOM and other methods.
• Tracks supplies and expenditures on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
• Keeps lab budget in check and communicates with the principal investigator about spending and ideas for reducing costs.
• Communicates with vendors to attain bulk discounts and best pricing.
• Works closely with the grants manager on post-billing related challenges with vendors and internal AP Dept.
• Keeps lab spending in check by communicating with the grants manager on spending levels, patterns, and future forecasting.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree