What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Manager I position at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard?
The mission of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard is to propel the understanding and treatment of disease. We apply our deep knowledge of human genetics to empower a revolution in biomedicine and accelerate the pace at which the world conquers disease. Through our partnerships with MIT, Harvard, and Harvard-affiliated hospitals, we’ve become a global hub of cutting-edge biomedical science.
In this position, you will work closely with affiliated PIs and their various teams that make up the CBTS program at the Broad Institute, to provide operational, logistical, and administrative support for several program PIs and their research groups at the Broad Institute, ensuring efficient, compliant, and safe lab operations in partnership with primary institutional staff.
Note: Primary lab support includes the Choudhary, Traverso, Liau, Woo, Khalil, Vallbh/Minikel, Deverman, and other CBTS labs as needed. Liu Lab and Center for Genetic Surgery (CGS) assistance will be solicited on an as-assigned basis from CBTS Program Director and Chief of Staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Oversee various lab tasks, including equipment maintenance (Repairs, calibrations, life-cycle tracking, service contracts, service visits, SOPs, etc), inventory support (ensuring commonly used and critical items are stocked and in respective places), freezer management (scraping them monthly, periodic defrost, support with space allocation)
* Work with lab’s financial lead to track and allocate costs for shared service contracts
* Work with lab researchers to ensure safety and compliance (performing weekly eyewash station testing, lab specific training and updating for general lab space, and enforcing PPE and training compliance as necessary)
* Assess, install, relocate, and maintain laboratory equipment; manage shared equipment calendars and access.
* Help with package and deliveries with the lab, notifying staff when temperature-sensitive deliveries from collaborators have been received and ensuring that packages are stored away properly at the end of the day if they haven’t been received by trainees in a timely manner
* Help with routine detection and risk-mitigation procedures, such as mycoplasma testing of TC rooms and coordinating cleanings and other sterilization procedures with Broad Facilities
* Develop, implement, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for start-up, shut-down, and safe use of lab instruments
* Maintain organized and efficient lab spaces; coordinate scheduled cleanouts of cold storage and benchtop equipment.
* Partner with PIs on strategic resource planning; identify opportunities for process improvement, balancing duties shared with lab personnel, and working with external teams at Broad to improve operational flow with specific workflows within the lab.
* Serve as primary liaison with vendors, facilities, and technical service providers.
* Collaborate with CBTS research operations manager and associated staff, and BITS to maintain computer systems, data storage, and scientific software (including Google Cloud services).
* Support secure management of physical (e.g., aliquots, cell lines) and digital (e.g., datasets) lab assets, ensuring proper tracking and discard procedures.
* Work with lab and proram staff to conduct and document routine safety inspections; ensure compliance with all EHS and institutional safety policies.
* Provide and document safety, compliance, and equipment training for new and current personnel.
* Support submission and maintenance of regulatory documentation (IRB protocols, MTAs, biosafety registrations, etc.), in collaboration with CBTS program staff and lab trainees
* Work with lab admin to coordinate safety and other crucial onboarding and offboarding procedures of staff, affiliates, and visiting scientists, including equipment and space training for designated area
* Provide training and troubleshooting for scientific instruments, laboratory software, and data workflows.
* Communicate effectively with scientific and administrative personnel; present operational updates during lab or program meetings.
* Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve operational issues, including occasional off-hours response to urgent lab matters.
* Perform other professional duties as needed to support smooth lab and program operations.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor’s degree in the life sciences, advanced degree a plus
* 4 years of progressively responsible experience in a professional environment, especially in an academic, non-profit, or research setting
* 2 years of experience working with and managing capital equipment, including maintenance, troubleshooting, SOPs, and related tasks
* Requires the acumen to handle difficult situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, mixing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands of the group
* Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, familiarity with basic software (Microsoft and Google Suite), and an aptitude to learn new applications quickly
* Self-motivated and flexible, with strong organizational skills and the ability to gather and organize data from a variety of sources
* Ability to deal with highly confidential information
* Strong work ethic and willingness to take ownership of wide-ranging responsibilities
* Anticipates and proactively addresses issues and applies project management skills to support driving initiatives
In this position, you will work closely with affiliated PIs and their various teams that make up the CBTS program at the Broad Institute, to provide operational, logistical, and administrative support for several program PIs and their research groups at the Broad Institute, ensuring efficient, compliant, and safe lab operations in partnership with primary institutional staff.
Note: Primary lab support includes the Choudhary, Traverso, Liau, Woo, Khalil, Vallbh/Minikel, Deverman, and other CBTS labs as needed. Liu Lab and Center for Genetic Surgery (CGS) assistance will be solicited on an as-assigned basis from CBTS Program Director and Chief of Staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Oversee various lab tasks, including equipment maintenance (Repairs, calibrations, life-cycle tracking, service contracts, service visits, SOPs, etc), inventory support (ensuring commonly used and critical items are stocked and in respective places), freezer management (scraping them monthly, periodic defrost, support with space allocation)
* Work with lab’s financial lead to track and allocate costs for shared service contracts
* Work with lab researchers to ensure safety and compliance (performing weekly eyewash station testing, lab specific training and updating for general lab space, and enforcing PPE and training compliance as necessary)
* Assess, install, relocate, and maintain laboratory equipment; manage shared equipment calendars and access.
* Help with package and deliveries with the lab, notifying staff when temperature-sensitive deliveries from collaborators have been received and ensuring that packages are stored away properly at the end of the day if they haven’t been received by trainees in a timely manner
* Help with routine detection and risk-mitigation procedures, such as mycoplasma testing of TC rooms and coordinating cleanings and other sterilization procedures with Broad Facilities
* Develop, implement, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for start-up, shut-down, and safe use of lab instruments
* Maintain organized and efficient lab spaces; coordinate scheduled cleanouts of cold storage and benchtop equipment.
* Partner with PIs on strategic resource planning; identify opportunities for process improvement, balancing duties shared with lab personnel, and working with external teams at Broad to improve operational flow with specific workflows within the lab.
* Serve as primary liaison with vendors, facilities, and technical service providers.
* Collaborate with CBTS research operations manager and associated staff, and BITS to maintain computer systems, data storage, and scientific software (including Google Cloud services).
* Support secure management of physical (e.g., aliquots, cell lines) and digital (e.g., datasets) lab assets, ensuring proper tracking and discard procedures.
* Work with lab and proram staff to conduct and document routine safety inspections; ensure compliance with all EHS and institutional safety policies.
* Provide and document safety, compliance, and equipment training for new and current personnel.
* Support submission and maintenance of regulatory documentation (IRB protocols, MTAs, biosafety registrations, etc.), in collaboration with CBTS program staff and lab trainees
* Work with lab admin to coordinate safety and other crucial onboarding and offboarding procedures of staff, affiliates, and visiting scientists, including equipment and space training for designated area
* Provide training and troubleshooting for scientific instruments, laboratory software, and data workflows.
* Communicate effectively with scientific and administrative personnel; present operational updates during lab or program meetings.
* Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve operational issues, including occasional off-hours response to urgent lab matters.
* Perform other professional duties as needed to support smooth lab and program operations.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor’s degree in the life sciences, advanced degree a plus
* 4 years of progressively responsible experience in a professional environment, especially in an academic, non-profit, or research setting
* 2 years of experience working with and managing capital equipment, including maintenance, troubleshooting, SOPs, and related tasks
* Requires the acumen to handle difficult situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, mixing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands of the group
* Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, familiarity with basic software (Microsoft and Google Suite), and an aptitude to learn new applications quickly
* Self-motivated and flexible, with strong organizational skills and the ability to gather and organize data from a variety of sources
* Ability to deal with highly confidential information
* Strong work ethic and willingness to take ownership of wide-ranging responsibilities
* Anticipates and proactively addresses issues and applies project management skills to support driving initiatives