At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead lab operations and ensure high-quality support for groundbreaking research.
- Company: Avantor, a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a diverse, inclusive culture.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to making a real impact in science.
- Why this job: Shape the future of lab operations through innovation and digital transformation.
- Qualifications: Degree in Life Sciences and strong leadership experience in lab environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Research Services Manager for Lab Management is responsible for managing BAU Lab management operations on customer sites and leading the Laboratory Operations Manager.
Location: Cambridge, UK
Employment Type: Permanent
Due to an Internal Promotion, We're Hiring! An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and passionate leader to join our team as Laboratory Operations Manager in Cambridge. Following an internal promotion, we are looking for our next Lab Operations Manager to lead laboratory support services across a dynamic and innovative R&D environment. This role is ideal for someone with a strong scientific background, operational leadership experience, and a passion for driving service excellence, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.
About the Role
As the Laboratory Operations Manager, you will lead Lab Support Operations across R&D laboratories, ensuring the delivery of high-quality laboratory support services that enable scientists to focus on groundbreaking research. You will have overall responsibility for operational performance, stakeholder engagement, service innovation, and people leadership while ensuring compliance, safety, and business continuity across multiple laboratory environments. This position requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on leadership, with a strong focus on customer experience, operational excellence, and future-proofing laboratory services through innovation and digitalization.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Lab Support Operations across R&D laboratories.
- Ensure effective delivery of laboratory support services, stock management, and stores operations.
- Support extended working patterns and evolving business requirements.
- Ensure service continuity and operational excellence across laboratory environments.
- Manage service escalations and drive timely resolution of operational challenges.
- Act as the primary interface between laboratory users, customers, suppliers, and support functions.
- Lead customer meetings, governance reviews, and operational discussions.
- Build strong relationships with scientific, operational, and leadership stakeholders.
- Provide proactive communication and effective stakeholder management across all levels.
- Promote a customer-focused culture and continuously improve the user experience.
- Manage operational and financial processes, including cost journaling and cost centre cross-charging activities.
- Ensure resources are effectively managed to meet current and future business needs.
- Drive service performance through reporting, metrics, and data analysis.
- Identify trends and opportunities for service enhancements.
- Lead lean initiatives and process improvement projects.
- Evaluate and implement new tools, technologies, and innovative solutions.
- Champion digital transformation and AI-driven initiatives to improve productivity, efficiency, and customer experience.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development for direct reports.
- Create a high-performing and engaged team culture.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Promote a safe and secure working environment.
What We're Looking For
- Degree in Life Sciences or a related scientific discipline.
- Strong laboratory background with a solid understanding of R&D and laboratory operations.
- Proven experience leading operational teams within a laboratory, scientific, pharmaceutical, or research environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing customer relationships and stakeholder engagement.
- Strong people leadership and team development experience.
- Experience managing KPIs, service metrics, governance reviews, and operational performance.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing abilities.
- Proven ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to lead a critical laboratory support function within a world-class scientific environment. You will play a key role in shaping the future of laboratory operations through innovation, digitalization, and service excellence while leading a talented team dedicated to enabling scientific discovery. If you are a science-focused leader with a passion for operational excellence, innovation, and people development, we would love to hear from you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lab Operations Manager in London
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Avantor. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Avantor!
We think you need these skills to ace Lab Operations Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Avantor that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Avantor.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Avantor does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avantor
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Avantor. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Avantor's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Avantor. This shows your passion for the industry!
