Head of Laboratory Operations

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Contributory pension

38 days annual leave

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle and travel loan

Job summary

University of Oxford invites applications for the position of Head of Laboratory Operations within the Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine (IDRM). The role focuses on supporting cardiovascular development and regeneration projects, ensuring safe and efficient lab operations with on-site presence three days per week.

The appointed candidate will hold a PhD, demonstrate strong communication, hands-on lab skills, and experience with animal work, databases, and finance systems, as

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant scientific field is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven hands-on laboratory experience and animal work exposure.

Responsibilities

• Support daily research activities and laboratory operations.
• Ensure efficient lab functionality and safety compliance.
• Manage equipment, reagents and consumables; training staff as needed.
• Order and manage reagents and consumables and support ongoing research across the theme.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Hands-on lab experience

Animal work experience

Databases & spreadsheets

Finance systems knowledge

Health & safety knowledge

Education

PhD in a relevant scientific field

Tools

Laboratory data systems

Job description

Contract & job type: Fixed-term until 30/09/2029

About us:

At the Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) we integrate developmental biology and regenerative medicine across cardiovascular science, neuroscience, and immunology. This multidisciplinary environment fosters collaboration and innovation at the intersection of biology, medicine, and technology with the explicit aim of developing novel therapies for non-communicable birth defects and acquired diseases. The IDRM is part hosted from within the Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG) which undertakes discovery science reassembling physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue and systems level of organization. In so doing we provide a bridge to translational medicine, and interface between physical and life sciences. Both the IDRM and DPAG are committed not only to innovative research and the highest standard of teaching, but also to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Overview of the role and selection criteria:

We are seeking a Head of Laboratory Operations to support the cardiovascular development and regeneration group of Professor Paul Riley and the other research groups across the cardiovascular theme based on level 1 of the IDRM. We are looking for an experienced and detail-orientated individual to support daily research activities and laboratory operations. You will be responsible for ensuring efficient laboratory functionality, maintaining compliance with safety standards, managing equipment and resources, reagent and consumables ordering, inducting and training new and existing staff and supporting ongoing research, within programs across the theme. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant scientific field, have excellent verbal and written communication skills, proven hands-on laboratory experience and experience working with animals, an interest in the research focus of the IDRM and proven ability to work with databases, spreadsheets, finance systems and good knowledge of biological health and safety and best laboratory practice. This post is available from 1 st October 2026 for 36 months (in the first instance).

What we offer:

• Your wellbeing at work matters, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:
• Hybrid working (although the post-holder needs to be on site at least 3-days/week)
• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle and electric car loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 19 th October 2026, and will be face to face.

Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

DPAG's Statement of Inclusion:

We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio-economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. Our policies, practices and Respectful Behaviours Framework underpin this commitment.

£49,119 per annum. Grade 8