Laboratory Manager (Ref. LAB/26/14)

IRB Barcelona; Barcelona; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

IRB Barcelona seeks a dedicated Laboratory Manager to oversee the daily operation of the lab, including stock, consumables, and equipment maintenance, with budget control and project management responsibilities. The role is based in Dr.

Zorzano’s laboratory within the University of Barcelona’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine. The successful candidate will support financial reporting, liaise with IRB/Human Resources, and contribute to DNA purification and PCR assays as part

Qualifications

• FP Superior qualification or university degree in a scientific field.
• Proficiency in Excel for financial and inventory tracking.
• Knowledge of English, Catalan and Spanish.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Stock and consumables control, coordinating orders for reagents and supplies.
• Negotiate terms and resolve issues with scientific material suppliers.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, calibrations, and repairs with service teams.
• Manage project budgets and financial reporting for one or more research projects.
• Monitor expenses to ensure compliance with funding agency criteria.
• Liaise with IRB Grants Office, Finance/Purchasing and HR for purchases and reporting.
• Perform laboratory work including DNA purification and PCR assays.

Skills

English language

Catalan language

Spanish language

Administrative skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Proactivity

Education

FP Superior or university degree in a scientific field

Tools

Excel

Job description

IRB Barcelona is seeking a dedicated Laboratory Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for the operational management and maintenance of stock, consumables, and equipment as well as budget control and project management. In addition, this position will also maintain laboratory equipment, and the performance of some biological assays.

As part of a collaboration agreement, the successful candidate will be based in Dr. Zorzano’s laboratory within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, located in the Faculty of Biology at the University of Barcelona.

This position will be financed by the project "Development of Neuritin 1 as a Therapeutic Candidate for Obesity and Metabolic Liver Disease" financed by La Caixa Fundation with file numebr HR26-00218.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Stock and consumables control: Management of orders for reagents and daily laboratory materials, optimizing the group’s resources.
• Supplier relations: Negotiation of terms and resolution of issues with scientific material suppliers.
• Equipment maintenance: Coordination of calibrations, preventive maintenance, and repairs with technical services.
• Project financial management: Executive control of the budget allocated to one or more research projects (national and international).
• Support for financial reporting: Monitoring expenses to ensure they comply with the eligibility criteria of each funding agency.
• Coordination with IRB and UB Administration: Direct liaison with the IRB Grants Office, Finance/Purchasing, and HR departments to process purchases, funding, and administrative reporting through the institution’s internal channels and tools.
• Laboratory work based on DNA purification and PCR assays.

YOU HAVE

• FP Superior qualification or university degree in a scientific field (Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related areas). Versatility and ability to take on administrative and management responsibilities, as well as knowledge of the scientific and technical environment, will be particularly valued. Research experience will be considered an advantage, especially as it facilitates an understanding of the team’s needs.
• Internal management tools: Proficiency in advanced office software (Excel) for financial and inventory tracking.
• Knowledge of English, Catalan, and Spanish: Important for carrying out the required tasks.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail: Meticulousness in monitoring expenses and ensuring compliance with project reporting and justification deadlines.
• Proactivity and problem-solving skills: Ability to respond quickly and effectively to unforeseen issues related to both logistics and budget execution.

YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE

• Previous experience in academic research environments, ideally involving coordination or management responsibilities.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations: Familiarity with day-to-day laboratory activities, scientific equipment, and the dynamics of research groups.

WHAT WE OFFER:

To be a part a part of something meaningful: We are a biomedical research centre that tirelessly works to achieve a society free of diseases. Our mission is to carry out research of excellence to cure cancer and other diseases linked to ageing.

Good Working conditions: Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations under a full-time contract linked to the project "Development of Neuritin 1 as a Therapeutic Candidate for Obesity and Metabolic Liver Disease" financed by La Caixa Fundation with file numebr HR26-00218. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity/paternity leave and injuries at work.

Competitive salary: commensurate with experience and qualifications.

International Environment: we are home to nearly 500 researchers, technical and support staff from 45 countries.

Multidisciplinary Research: Research of excellence at the unique interface between biology, chemistry, and structural and computational biology.

Continuous Training: Transversal and general training is offered to our community (examples include research seminars, conferences, training in time management, scientific integrity, gender equality, health and safety, languages courses and emotional wellbeing).

Relocation & Visa Assistance: Trained staff provides support on visa paperwork, administrative requirements, and practical information on living and working in Barcelona, etc.

Social Life: We like to have fun. We promote several activities, like a Football League, an annual skiing trip, a Mountaineering Club, a Running Club and "Cool-off sessions", where members meet informally for drinks, snacks and scientific discussions.

Fairness: Our recruitment is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.

IRB BARCELONA endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and Open, Transparent, Merit-based recruitment promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.

On 9 December, 2014, IRB Barcelona was awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" logo. This recognition reflects the commitment of the Institute to the continuous improvement of its human resources policies in line with the Charter & Code. The Institute works to ensure fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.

Please check our Recruitment Policy.

Note: The strengths and weaknesses of the applications will be provided upon request.

ABOUT IRB BARCELONA,

Created in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) and the University of Barcelona, IRB Barcelona, a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence since the first call in 2011, has received the accreditation four consecutive times.

The institute is devoted to conducting research of excellence in biomedicine and to transferring results to clinical practice, thus improving people’s quality of life, while simultaneously promoting the training of outstanding researchers, technology transfer, and public communication of science. Its 27 laboratories and 9 core facilities address basic questions in biology and are oriented towards diseases such as cancer, metastasis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and rare conditions.

IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 500 members from 45 nationalities. It is located in the Barcelona Science Park. IRB Barcelona forms part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and the “Xarxa de Centres de Recerca de Catalunya” (CERCA).