Lab Manager

Constructive Bio; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering biotechnology startup in Cambridge seeks a highly motivated Lab Manager. The candidate will manage laboratory operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance while collaborating with scientific teams to optimize workflows. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of synthetic genomics in an inclusive and innovative environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Employee share option plan

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private health insurance

Pension plan (matching up to 8%)

Qualifications

• Experienced in managing a molecular biology laboratory.
• Proficient in wet-lab molecular biology techniques.
• Strong desire to build a positive team culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily laboratory operations to maximise workflow efficiency.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and infrastructure.
• Coordinate logistics and shipping for biological samples.

Skills

Communication

Team Collaboration

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Education

BSc/MSc in Biology/Biochemistry/Bioengineering/Cell Biology

Job description

Who we are:

Life, Reimagined

Constructive Bio is a VC-backed biotechnology startup based in Whittlesford, Cambridge. Our unique technology turns living cells into biofactories, creating sustainable new materials and therapeutics. With full control of the genetic sequence and code, we are exploring chemical space previously unreached by natural biology.

Constructive Bio is a spinout from Professor Jason Chin's laboratory at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. Learn more about the Chin lab achievements here:https://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/ccsb/jason-chin/

We recently secured $58 million Series A fundraising. Read more here: https://www.constructive.bio/blog/news/constructive-bio-secures-58-million-in-series-a-financing

What we’re looking for:

We are seeking a highly motivated Lab Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will have experience as the manager of a molecular biology laboratory, a solid understanding of a wide range of wet-lab techniques, a self-starting proactive attitude, and a strong desire to contribute to a positive team culture. The successful candidate will work closely with our operations and scientific teams to oversee and directly contribute to the day-to-day operations within our laboratories, ensuring our scientific processes and equipment run smoothly, and helping optimise the efficiency and reliability of our workflows.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily laboratory operations to maximise workflow efficiency and adherence to standard operating procedures.

• Work with the leadership and operations teams to develop laboratory budgets.

• Maintain laboratory equipment and infrastructure, including leading the sourcing of new equipment, equipment repair, and management of instrument service contracts.

• Manage and provide technical guidance for a team of laboratory technicians for the preparation of reagent stocks, media, buffers and
  glassware, as well as ensuring effective organisation of our biological samples.

• Manage externally
  contracted services (different forms of DNA sequencing, protein characterisation, etc), evaluate vendor relationships and negotiate
  contracts to optimise cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards.

• Coordinate the logistics and shipping for inbound/outbound biological
  samples from our laboratories.

• Ensure waste disposal processes for our different activities are effective and compliant with external and internal regulations.

• Collaborate with our automation scientist and our broader scientific team to build and deploy
  high-throughput biology workflows using automation.

• Collaborate with our scientific team to facilitate and promote the recording of experimental data in electronic lab notebooks and LIMS

Requirements:

• BSc/MSc
  in relevant scientific discipline (Biology/ Biochemistry/ Bioengineering/ Cell Biology etc.).

• Reasonable experience of workingin a molecular biology laboratory.

• Familiarity with a broad range of wet-lab molecular biology techniques and their technical requirements.

• Strong work ethic and keen interest in building a positive and collaborative team culture.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively.

• Attention to detail, organisational skills, and desire to work in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable skills:

• Familiarity with instrumentation and workflows for high-throughput biology.

• Familiarity with
  health and safety standards and regulations relevant to molecular biology and GMO processes.

• Prior research experience working in an industry/start-up setting.

• Previous line management experience

What’s in it for you? Why work at Constructive Bio?

We are a small but rapidly growing team, with a vision to become the programmable biomolecules company and push the boundaries of what’s possible between biology and chemistry. As an early joiner, you will have a unique opportunity to help shape our trajectory and make real impact from day one.

We offer:

• Newly fitted dedicated site in Whittlesford near Cambridge – on-site parking and regular trains to Cambridge, London and Norwich

• Competitive salary

• Employee share option plan

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Private health insurance

• Pension plan (matching up to 8%)

• Collaborative and pioneering environment, at the leading edge of synthetic genomics and engineered translation

We want to build a team with trust and respect for each other and create a culture of collaboration, openness, curiosity, and scientific excellence.We are built on three principles:

• We imagine:We think big and plan our own path for success.

• We pioneer:We take action and grow together as one to break moulds.

• We deliver:We take ownership and work together to deliver excellence.

Constructive Bio is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.