Laboratory Manager, Clinical Safety Lab

QPS Holdings, LLC; Groningen; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

QPS Netherlands B.V. is seeking a hands-on laboratory leader to manage daily clinical safety operations in Groningen. You will develop processes and supervise staff while ensuring compliance with QPS standards and Dutch regulations.

The role focuses on growing capabilities and delivering high-quality services for clinical trials. You will collaborate with site leadership, recruit and coach staff, and drive improvements across workflows and instrumentation to support study execution and client

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a regulated laboratory (clinical safety testing preferred).
• Proven people management experience with direct responsibility for staff.
• Knowledge of quality systems and Dutch regulations; GCP/ISO 15189 familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily clinical safety laboratory operations to ensure high-quality, compliant, and efficient services.
• Develop laboratory processes, systems, and workflows to support growth.
• Supervise and develop laboratory staff, including hiring, training, coaching and performance management.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory, quality, and safety requirements.
• Oversee instrumentation, maintenance, and new methods introduction.
• Coordinate planning and consumables to meet study and business needs.
• Review study protocols and ensure readiness and successful study execution.
• Resolve issues, drive improvements, and support client communication.

Skills

People management

Laboratory operations

Regulatory compliance

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences

Job description

Job Description

QPS Netherlands B.V. is part of QPS Holdings, a global CRO providing discovery, preclinical, and clinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Our new Clinical Safety Laboratory in Groningen provides hematology, biochemistry, and urinalysis testing to support clinical trials, patient safety, and data integrity.

We are looking for a hands-on laboratory professional with established experience managing staff to lead daily operations and help shape the laboratory's continued development. Working closely with site leadership, you will develop colleagues, improve workflows, and expand laboratory capabilities while maintaining quality and compliance with QPS global standards. If you enjoy leading people and helping a laboratory grow, we would like to hear from you.

What You Will Do

• Lead daily clinical safety laboratory operations to deliver high-quality, compliant, and efficient services.
• Develop laboratory processes, systems, and workflows to support continued growth.
• Supervise and develop laboratory staff, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory, quality, and safety requirements.
• Oversee instrumentation, maintenance, and the introduction of new methods and services.
• Coordinate laboratory planning and consumables to meet study and business needs.
• Review study protocols and work with study teams, project management, and site leadership to ensure laboratory readiness and successful study execution.
• Resolve operational and technical issues, drive improvements, and support responsive client communication.

Job Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Life Sciences or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant, hands-on experience in a regulated laboratory, ideally in clinical safety testing, a CRO, or a pharmaceutical setting.
• Proven people management experience with direct responsibility for laboratory staff, including work allocation, coaching, staff development, and performance management.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality systems and familiarity with GCP, ISO 15189, and applicable Dutch regulations.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with a clear, collaborative communication style.
• A hands-on approach and an interest in developing people and improving laboratory operations.
• Business-level English and at least B1-level Dutch.

Relevant experience includes hands-on work in a regulated laboratory plus direct staff management beyond an academic research setting. Experience helping establish a laboratory or improve existing operations is an advantage.

Why QPS Groningen?

Join a collaborative, science-driven team supporting clinical research for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. QPS combines the reach of a global CRO with the close working relationships of a local team, giving you the opportunity to shape a growing laboratory with support from experienced colleagues and direct communication with leadership. If you enjoy supporting people, improving processes, and helping a laboratory grow, we would like to hear from you.

Vaccination Protocol

At QPS, we are committed to maintaining a healthy and safe workplace. Our vaccination program, including Hepatitis B, supports that commitment. Participation may be required for some roles and voluntary or encouraged for others. By applying, you acknowledge your understanding of this policy as it relates to the position.