Research Laboratory Operations Manager, SRS, MIT Job Number 19126
-
Bioelectronics Group Website: https://bioelectronics.mit.edu/
Position Overview:
Manage the operations of Professor Polina Anikeeva’s research lab and perform technical and administrative tasks in support of laboratory. Collaborate with the principal investigator (PI) and other lab members on overseeing the lab’s research activities. Maintain cell lines and manage colonies of research animals. Facilitate in the development and evaluation of new genetic and physical tools. Ensure adequate supplies for experimental needs. Assist Investigator in human resources management and serve as the primary contact for laboratory staff, students, and postdoctoral associates on matters related to facilities, operations and onboarding. Manage lab safety programs to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Assist in laboratory space and facilities planning; make recommendations for changes; maintain oversight for laboratory equipment. Serve as liaison to RLE HQ and a variety of Institute administrative offices.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions*):
- Manages day-to-day operations within the research laboratory, including ensuring operation of essential equipment, making sure adequate supplies are available for routine experimental procedures, and spending is aligned with budget guidelines.
- Serves as primary contact to all laboratory staff including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral associates and sponsored research staff on matters related to facilities and operations.
- Designs, develops and implements new systems and processes to help improve laboratory operations. Troubleshoot issues in the lab and develops solutions to address problems.
- Designs and implements strategies to effectively manage research laboratory supplies and inventory, including researching vendors, executing procurement decisions to maximize resources, and maintaining supplies and service contracts.
- Manage laboratory budgets, ensuring expenditures and resource allocation across projects for general supplies and equipment aligns with approved budgets, sponsor terms and spending limits. Coordinate key fiscal activities including monthly overviews and projections with RLE HQ Financial Officers.
- Serves as lab resource to lab personnel. Train lab members on general lab operations, lab culture, equipment and protocols, and safety conduct in collaboration with EHS.
- Manages processes for administering, implementing and renewals for laboratory animal protocols (CAC, COUHES) and ensures research involving animal models is compliant with Institute guidelines.
- Coordinates key collaborations with sub award teams and ensures effective productive relationships across several collaborating institutions.
- Manages research laboratory facility, including researching, procuring and maintaining laboratory equipment and instruments. Develop standard operating procedures for all aspects of device handling. Assesses equipment needs and schedules maintenance and repairs of equipment.
- Lead and organize laboratory clean-ups and inspections; managing vendor relationships and service contracts.
- Responsible for lab safety management, including acting as the laboratory’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) representative. Manages chemical and biohazard safety training and practices within the experimental spaces ensuring biohazard waste disposal occurs following EHS guidelines. Tracks and enforces lab safety requirements to ensure laboratory in in compliance with current EHS policies and procedures. Provides safety training for others in the lab area and collaborates with RLE EHS Officer. Promotes a culture of safety.
- In collaboration with Administrative Assistant coordinates external and internal collaborations, meetings and other events, including determining meeting/event agendas, and facilitating lab visits of external stake holders.
- May independently carry out one or more complex research projects or perform technical duties including: molecular cloning, validating plasmids by sequencing and expression analysis, packaging of routine viral vectors, and tissue culture.
- Maintain critical tissue culture and cell culture lines.
- May evaluate and analyze new techniques and technology and document the outcomes and new processes or protocols for lab wide use.
- Design, develop and implement monthly or quarterly progress reports about research for internal and external stake holders.
- Manage routine lab website updates, servers, software/licenses, data storage, workstations, and lab calendar. Interacts with RLE HQ staff as needed.
- Ensures appropriate research record keeping. Ensures lab adheres to MIT financial policies, record retention, and other research administration policies.
- Other duties as required.
Supervision Received:
Supervision is provided by the assigned PI. Position requires ability to work independently and perform with minimal supervision.
Supervision Exercised:
- Serves as primary resource for lab member on research techniques, taking responsibility for complex tasks without direct supervision.
- Responsible for onboarding new staff to the lab. Trains and mentors new staff.
- Ensures that others comply with established standards, applicable regulations, and laboratory procedures.
- Provides guidance and leadership in non-routine tasks.
- Trains users in equipment operation and research techniques.
- May directly supervise staff or provide input in performance reviews of staff.
- May provide input into the hiring of staff.
Qualifications & Skills:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience or a related scientific field.
- Minimum 4 years’ specialized lab experience working in a large biomedical research laboratory.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong time management and planning skills.
- Budget management skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a diverse team of graduate students, postdocs, research staff, and the ability to promote collaboration and cooperation among team members.
- Project management experience.
- Prior supervisory experience.
- Strong problem solving skills.
- Strong computer experience with Microsoft Office suite.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
- Advanced degree (MS) in Biology, Neuroscience or a related scientific field.
- Strong background in molecular biology techniques including molecular cloning, packaging viral vectors, and tissue culture.
- Experience with validating plasmids with sequencing and expression analysis.
- Experience in rodent handling and surgery.
- Experience with or willingness to learn new laboratory management software is also desirable.
- Publication record.
- MIT experience preferred.