Sustainable Lab Manager

The University is committed to delivering its core mission of delivering life-enhancing research, innovation and education in the most sustainable way possible. Our recently updated Sustainability Strategy set out our ambitious plans to reduce both the direct and indirect impacts of our activities and embed sustainability into our culture. The impact of the University’s research is significant, for example, our wet labs, which occupy just 7% of our non-residential estate, account for more than half (52%) of the University’s total carbon emissions. In 2018–19, operational costs for these labs exceeded £25 million, with carbon emissions totalling an estimated 63,000 tonnes CO2e.

The Sustainable Lab Manager will play a key role in reducing the environmental impact of our world class research, by:

• Increasing pro-environmental behaviour across the faculties through the ongoing management and development of LEAF.
• Embedding sustainability in the organisation's research culture by contributing to the development of organisational/faculty policies, procedures and standards.
• Identifying opportunities and delivering innovative initiatives and projects.
• Acting as a point of expertise and advising design teams and colleagues on best practice during the lab design and development of new and refurbished lab facilities ensuring efficient use of space and resources.

A key focus of this role is to work collaboratively with both environmental professionals in professional services and faculty colleagues to build a network of strong relationships to deliver tangible and continual improvements in the organisation's environmental performance, and to evaluate and share any learning from activities across the organisation.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Oversee the management and ongoing development of LEAF and ensure organisational targets are achieved: 100% enrollment of suitable labs by 2027, 100% certification to bronze by 2028, and 100% certification to silver by 2030.
• Manage the LEAF internal audit process and certification.
• Provide support to faculties through the development of guidance and other documentation, in person events and specialist advice.
• Contribute to the development of organisational/faculty policies, procedures and standards that support the implementation of best practice in lab-based research activities.
• Review and evaluate data and management information (for example expenditure, energy use, carbon emissions) to baseline performance, identify improvement opportunities and report on performance using KPIs.
• Develop, plan and prioritise a programme that improves laboratory efficiencies and helps to deliver the University’s environmental objectives.
• Develop business cases and undertake cost benefit analyses and make recommendations to senior colleagues and committees to obtain funding/approval for new projects.
• Work closely with colleagues across the faculties and EFM, both leading on and contributing to, the delivery projects and initiatives, ensuring that resources and finances are available.
• Delegate work and tasks to others within project teams and ensure work is completed to the required standard, within the agreed timescales and the allocated budgets.
• Act as a sustainability advocate on University development projects and engage with both design teams and clients/end users, ensuring that project specific sustainable lab design requirements and targets are developed, agreed and delivered.
• Provide advice and support on sustainable lab design, the sustainable operation of labs and the procurement of resource efficient equipment to both colleagues and project teams.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification:

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. You should use your application statement to provide evidence that you meet the following criteria. This section of the application form is limited to 4,000 characters (around 635 words). If this is too restrictive you can upload your statement as a Cover Letter attachment instead. Please do not upload a CV to your application as these will not be considered as part of the shortlisting process. Instead you should provide an application statement or cover letter.

Criteria Stage(s) assessed at:

• Relevant post A-level qualifications in a science subject (such as, but not limited to, biology or chemistry).
• Significant experience of working in a science, medicine and/or engineering research/teaching environment.
• Up to date knowledge of environmental and sustainability issues and best practice in HE and/or FE, NHS, Pharma or R Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date: 09/06/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, +44 114 222 2000