Senior Lab Manager

05-Feb-2024

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

65000BR

Job Summary

The Senior Lab Manager will be responsible for independently overseeing the daily operations of the Nutritional Biomarker Lab. The mission of the lab is to provide high quality nutritional biomarker data to facilitate scientific research that evaluates nutritional factors in relation to human health outcomes through the use of objective biomarkers. This core facility within the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health strives to collaborate with investigators within the Harvard community and beyond, non-profit and for-profit alike, and contribute to scientific findings. This position works closely with and reports directly to the Nutritional Biomarker Lab Faculty Director.

The role of Senior Lab Manager will interact closely with multiple faculty and researchers both within and outside of the Harvard Chan School. The Senior Lab manager will be responsible for directly supervising lab staff and all activities of the lab. They are responsible for ensuring all deliverables are met and that the lab is running smoothly.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in chemistry or related field with experience working at the bench in a wet lab environment. The ideal candidate will also have previous management experience, exhibit strong organizational skills, and have a solid understanding of and experience with research design and implementation. An advanced ability to interpret data and develop meaningful information from data, as well as to develop new methods for lab assays if needed, is critical.  They will also have strong interpersonal skills — work well with colleagues and customers, are a good listener and a motivated thought partner/problem solver.

Position Description

Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Lab Management:

• Supervising and participating, if needed, the laboratory assays
• Strategic Planning for the Core Operations Oversight, Management, and Implementation:
• Managing and maintaining research equipment and protocols
• Responsible for invoicing and tracking receivables.
• Supervising all lab staff including handling all onboarding and training needs.
• Communicating with PIs and research teams using the core regarding regular operations, billing, and emergency issues
• Responding promptly to all freezer alarms, contacting the PI, and communicating with appropriate facilities and operations staff
• Developing core policies

Administrative:

• Developing and communicating project status to the lab team and Faculty Directory.
• Maintaining tracking system to communicate current status of all projects
• Managing core finances including developing the annual budget, setting the rate, billing/invoicing, and tracking costs
• Working on process improvements for existing and new workflows
• Working with PIs and other staff to develop and update documents (e.g. procedures, work instructions, training instructions)
• Performing other administrative duties as needed

Safety:

• Maintaining safety, practicing safe work habits, and documenting and informing PI of all issues involving safety
• Adhering to all institutional environmental and health safety guidelines and policies
• Completing annual biohazard/universal precaution safety training, as appropriate

The Manager will also perform other duties as assigned, and will also be the main point person for ensuring freezer and lab space adheres to safety protocols and that all emergency back-up procedures are instituted. This includes coordinating with a 3rd party surveillance company and with the School security, facilities, maintenance and with any of the labs’ partners.

The Senior Lab Manager must be comfortable working with a variety of stakeholders, including faculty, School financial and operational leadership, and external vendors. They will also be trained on all assays performed by the Core. Strong organizational, technical, and communication skills are also critical, as is the aptitude to work independently with limited oversight.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or equivalent work experience required in chemistry or related field
• 5+ years of related experience in laboratory sciences and laboratory management required

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Master’s degree and/or PhD in a related field (such as chemistry) strongly preferred
• Experience working in a biological laboratory setting
• Experience with equipment oversight
• Experience beginning and completing all assignments with minimal supervision
• Financial management and budgeting experience
• Demonstrate the aptitude and capacity to adhere to laboratory standard operating procedures (SOP)
• Strong communication skills
• A desire to learn new techniques
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience working with a diverse team of scientists
• Strong candidates will also have experience identifying potential problems and troubleshooting solutions

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and goals

Physical Requirements

Some pushing, pulling, and lifting (i.e. – assisting with deliveries of lab supplies, moving boxes, handling samples, etc.)

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period.

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA – MA – Boston

Job Code

RS0157 Researcher III Natural Science

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values , our Principles of Citizenship , and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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