Laboratory Manager (Imperial Incubator) - maternity cover

Imperial Enterprise; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

43 days annual leave

Season ticket loan

Pension scheme

Job summary

Imperial College London’s Imperial Incubator seeks a Laboratory Manager to oversee safe, day-to-day operations of shared labs and communal areas, supporting 20+ early-stage ventures at White City and Base One North Acton. You will conduct risk assessments, safety audits, supervisor induction, and act as on-site safety contact, ensuring equipment runs smoothly and compliance with quality standards.

This maternity-cover, 15-month role offers a sector-leading salary, generous leave (43 days), a

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Cat 2 laboratory.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for operational excellence and safety.
• Experience drafting policies and SOPs and enforcing compliance.

Responsibilities

• Carry out risk assessments, regular walk rounds, and safety audits.
• Liaise with suppliers and ensure shared equipment is functioning properly.
• Manage chemical and LN2 storage and lab waste streams.
• Lead lab safety meetings and investigate accidents and near misses.
• Induct new occupants and support tours and VIP visits; act as on-site safety contact.
• Manage the safe operation of shared equipment areas.

Skills

Lab safety

Communication

Stakeholder management

Quality standards

Job description

Laboratory Manager (Imperial Incubator) - maternity cover

Imperial is offering an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Manager to play a central role in managing the safe running and daily operational excellence of the shared laboratories, facilities and communal areas used by the Imperial Incubator’s more than 20 early-stage ventures.

Based at Imperial’s White City campus and Base One North Acton, this position will work with the Incubator Manager and be supported by the Laboratory and Community Support Assistant and Incubator team to enhance collaboration, deliver hands‑on day to day operations and community events to Imperial College spinouts and Incubator members. The role is key to ensuring a safe, efficient, and well‑maintained working environment across the ecosystem and may be called upon to support our other Lab Managers at other Imperial Incubator sites (currently Leap ARC Motherlabs, Hammersmith).

Part of the Enterprise Division which connects businesses, researchers and students with expertise, facilities, funding and support to turn cutting‑edge science and technology into real‑world impact and startups, this is a wonderful opportunity to work with and support early‑stage start‑ups developing deep science solutions to real world problems by supporting the wider entrepreneurial and incubation ecosystem within West Tech London.

What you would be doing

The role is varied with tasks ranging from carrying out risk assessments and regular ‘walk rounds’ and safety audits, liaising with suppliers, ensuring the shared equipment is functioning properly, managing chemical and LN2 storage, managing lab waste streams, events assistance, leading lab safety meetings and investigating accidents and near misses, induction of new occupants, supporting tours and VIP visits. You will act as the primary on‑site safety contact for all laboratory users, providing high‑quality customer service and operational support, and manage the safe operation of shared equipment areas.

You will also onboard and induct all new clients, helping them to learn how to use shared equipment and work safely. You will also be responsible for ensuring the equipment is maintained and serviced.

What we are looking for

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience working in a Cat 2 laboratory.


• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.


• A passion for operational excellence and safety.


• Track record of performing to identified Quality standards and of drafting policies and SOPs and enforcing their compliance.

What we can offer you

The opportunity to continue your career at a world‑leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.

• Benefit from a sector‑leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).


• Interest‑free season ticket loan schemes for travel.


• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing .

Further information

This is a full‑time, maternity cover contract for 15 months, fully on‑site at White City campus.

This is a temporary appointment to cover the duties of a member of staff whilst they are on maternity leave. The fixed term tenure given above may change should the member of staff exercise their right to return to work earlier or delay their return to work.

Interviews are currently planned for 7 th and 8 th December and the ideal start date will be February 2027

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert before the stated closing date, should we receive a high volume of applications. Please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top‑ten university where scientific imagination leads to world‑changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination, and creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our web pages .

Proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces community.

Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.