Laboratory Manager, Clinical Safety Lab

QPS; Groningen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

QPS Netherlands B.V. in Groningen seeks a hands-on Laboratory Operations Leader to oversee daily clinical safety testing services. You will guide staff, optimize workflows, and expand capabilities while ensuring quality and compliance with QPS global standards.

You will supervise laboratory personnel, manage training and performance, and collaborate with site leadership to plan studies, procure supplies, and implement new methods, ensuring readiness and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Life Sciences or related field.
• 3+ years in a regulated lab, ideally clinical safety testing in CRO/pharma.
• Proven people management with direct staff responsibility.
• Knowledge of quality systems and Dutch regulations (GCP, ISO 15189).

Responsibilities

• Lead daily clinical safety lab operations to deliver compliant services.
• Develop lab processes, systems, workflows to support growth.
• Supervise staff: hiring, training, coaching, performance management.
• Maintain regulatory, quality, safety compliance.
• Oversee instrumentation, maintenance, and new methods.
• Coordinate planning and consumables to meet study needs.
• Review study protocols with teams to ensure readiness.
• Resolve issues, drive improvements, and support client communication.

Skills

People management

Lab operations

Regulatory knowledge

GCP/ISO knowledge

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences

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.

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.