Laboratory Manager, Material Discovery London, UK

Science is at the heart of everything we do at Google DeepMind. From the beginning, we took inspiration from science to build better algorithms, and now, we want to use our toolkit to accelerate scientific discovery. By bringing together specialists with backgrounds in machine learning, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology and more, we’re optimistic that we can build new methods that will push the boundaries of what is possible and help solve the biggest problems facing humanity.

Google DeepMind is establishing the Materials Discovery Laboratory, a state-of-the-art automated facility designed to bridge the gap between AI predictions and physical reality. This lab will serve as the engine of our materials research program, combining high-throughput synthesis and characterisation with advanced robotics to create a closed-loop discovery system.

We are seeking a hands-on Laboratory Manager with a strong scientific background to lead the operational rhythm of the Materials Discovery Lab. Unlike a traditional facilities manager role, this position requires a partner to the research team — a scientist by training who is also an exceptional organizational lead and can proactively remove operational bottlenecks. You will manage the complex technical and organizational logistics of a high-throughput automated materials discovery lab, ensuring that our lab staff have the resources, maintained equipment, and reliable infrastructure they need to leverage automation and scale their research.

Key responsibilities:

• Team & Operational Leadership: Lead the laboratory’s operational rhythm and the coordination of staff, managing the organizational logistics required to ensure the team has the capacity and resources to scale high-throughput discovery.
• Operational Continuity: Proactively manage daily workflow logistics, ensuring equipment availability and resolving blockers to maintain high-throughput research cycles.
• Equipment Lifecycle Management: Own the maintenance schedule for a diverse fleet of instruments from high-temperature furnaces and vacuum deposition systems to advanced characterisation equipment, managing vendor relationships and service contracts to minimize downtime.
• Resource & Inventory Strategy: Proactively manage the supply chain for critical research consumables, ensuring that experimental campaigns are supported by robust inventory levels.
• Lab Organisation: Implement and maintain high standards of laboratory organization, space planning, and equipment allocation to support a clean, efficient, and automated working environment.
• Safety & Compliance: Oversee the lab’s safety protocols and compliance (e.g., COSHH), fostering a safety-first culture that enables efficient and compliant research.

About You:

In order to set you up for success as a Laboratory Manager at Google DeepMind, we look for the following skills and experience:

• Research Background: Significant experience working in a research laboratory, with a clear understanding of experimental workflows and research needs. (PhD/MSc in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or equivalent practical experience).
• Lab Management Experience: Proven track record of setting up and managing operations in a complex scientific facility, ideally involving automated equipment or high-throughput workflows.
• Technical Aptitude: Ability to troubleshoot equipment issues and effectively communicate technical problems to specialist engineers and vendors.
• Organisational Excellence: Strong logistical skills with the ability to manage multiple service contracts, inventory streams, and operational schedules simultaneously.
• Proactive Problem Solver: A proactive mindset – you anticipate problems before they impact the science and take ownership of the lab's operational success.

In addition, the following would be an advantage:

• Experience in setting up new laboratory facilities or managing a lab relocation (“greenfield” projects).
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems and digital asset management tools.
• Basic programming skills (e.g., Python) or experience working closely with software/automation engineers to streamline operations.
• Experience negotiating complex service contracts and procurement deals with major scientific equipment vendors.

At Google DeepMind, we value diversity of experience, knowledge, backgrounds and perspectives and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.