Head of Lab Systems & Operations

MARS Recruitment is hiring a Head of Lab Systems and Operations to join a growing and exciting research facility in Oxford, on a permanent basis. This role will be fully on-site and requires the successful candidate to come from both a science and engineering background, as this role has both IT and laboratory crossovers.

The Company: A research-driven organisation led by talented scientists and entrepreneurs, dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. This exciting new campus will feature a state-of-the-art R&D facility, specialised laboratories, oncology clinics and focus on bridging scientific discovery with real-world applications by integrating expertise from various fields, including biomedical science, engineering, and public health.

The Role: A key leadership role, the successful Head of Lab Systems and Operations will lead the design, implementation and maintenance of the laboratory IT infrastructure (including data systems, networks, and digital platforms). You will drive the engineering strategy, optimise lab processes fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with research leaders, IT, and external vendors to deliver scalable and future-ready lab technology and infrastructure solutions.
• Identify emerging lab technologies and IT innovations to enhance research capabilities and improve operational workflows.
• Ensure the maintenance, calibration, and lifecycle management of laboratory equipment and technology to guarantee maximum uptime and performance.
• Ensure laboratory systems meet all regulatory, health, safety, and data security standards.

Your Background:

• Degree qualified in relevant scientific and IT degree.
• Significant experience managing laboratory operations, engineering systems, and IT infrastructure in a research-intensive or technical environment.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic notebooks, cloud computing, data storage.
• Laboratory experience (wet-lab skills) and understanding of regulatory compliance (e.g., GLP, ISO standards) in laboratory environments.
• Proven skills in leadership and managing infrastructure projects.
• Understanding of laboratory technology, IT infrastructure, automation platforms, and engineering best practices.
• Experience with cybersecurity protocols and vendor relationships.

If you possess both Lab infrastructure or Lab Systems experience coupled with good IT knowledge, and this Head of Lab Systems and Operations is of interest, please send MARS Recruitment a copy of your CV accompanied with a covering letter.

MARS Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes applications from suitably qualified applicants regardless of race, colour, sex, marital status, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other protected status. Suitable candidates for the role will be contacted within 3 working days; unfortunately, if you haven’t heard back in this time your application has been unsuccessful.

MARS Recruitment is a specialist Engineering & IT recruiter working in partnership with companies across the UK and offers services of both an Employment Business (for Temporary/Contract roles) and an Employment Agency (for Permanent roles).