Lab Manager - Materials & Devices for Life Sciences Institute in Oxford

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we are on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, policy makers, and entrepreneurs to tackle humanity's greatest challenges in four transformative areas: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing CO₂, and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

This ambitious work demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you will join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society.

Welcome to the Institute of Materials & Devices for Life Sciences (MDLS). The vision for the MDLS at the Ellison Institute of Technology is to advance human health by scaling interdisciplinary science at the interface of chemistry, biology, and engineering. Led by Professor Hagan Bayley, it will house more than 100 researchers engaging in three interrelated endeavors: Nanopore Sensing and Sequencing, 3D Tissue Construction, and Device Engineering. The MDLS Institute will expand nanopore science to detect a wider range of biological molecules, including volatiles in human breath, while pioneering novel methods that integrate synthetic and living tissues into structures for organ repair. All research will be underpinned by the development of new devices capable of serving as powerful tools in clinical settings.

EIT is seeking an organised and experienced Laboratory Manager to lead operational, technical, and compliance functions for a rapidly expanding MDLS research laboratory. This pivotal role covers all aspects of facility management, safety compliance, workflow optimisation, and resource allocation, ensuring seamless support for cutting-edge scientific research. The successful candidate will drive rigorous quality assurance across Nanopore science, Tissue Construction, and device engineering, acting as the primary liaison between MDLS research teams and EIT facilities, procurement, quality, and H&S teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Facility Management: Oversee daily facilities of the laboratories, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to the quality standards specifically required for the MDLS Institute. Implement and enforce laboratory safety procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Manage training and mentoring of MDLS researchers to ensure compliance across all workflows and procedures. Monitor lab conditions, including temperature, humidity, and air quality, to meet operational specifications. Work closely with scientific leadership to adapt laboratory operations to support evolving needs.
• Equipment Management: Work with MDLS researchers and EIT procurement specialists to ensure the laboratory is properly maintained and organised. Oversee the set-up of laboratory facilities and ensure protocols are maintained, including cleanliness and accident reporting procedures. Maintain communication with research teams and establish a scheduling system for shared facility and equipment access.
• Operational Support: Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for relevant laboratory processes. Maintain an up-to-date library of specialist risk assessments and COSHH forms. Troubleshoot technical and operational issues in workflows. Optimise laboratory space and equipment usage to support a rapidly growing research team.
• Inventory and Supply Chain Management: Manage inventory levels for laboratory consumables, reagents, and critical supplies. Track and maintain proper documentation of inventory and ensure timely ordering of supplies.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Oversee compliance with relevant safety, regulatory, and quality standards. Implement and maintain quality control (QC) processes for relevant processing workflows. Participate in internal and external audits and inspections.

Requirements

• Educated to a minimum of BSc up to PhD in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience working in a laboratory environment, with a minimum of 2 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and quality management systems.
• Familiar with biosafety across tissue engineering/biological/chemistry research.

Key Attributes

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong organisational skills.
• In-depth knowledge of laboratory operations.
• Proficiency in laboratory management software and data tracking tools.
• Effective communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Benefits

• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Working Together - What It Involves

You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.