Laboratory Operations Manager

Department of Zoology; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 540,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International research environment

Individual salary setting

Stockholm University benefits

Job summary

The Department of Zoology at Stockholm University seeks a Lab Operations Manager (9 months) within the Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG) to optimize and standardize high‑throughput environmental DNA workflows. You will implement a comprehensive LIMS, SOPs, and QA systems, ensuring traceability from sample to data delivery.

You will lead automation initiatives, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and collaborate with researchers, staff, and external partners to maintain data quality and

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Experience designing, implementing, and validating LIMS and SOPs in research or industrial settings.
• Strong focus on QC/QA, traceability, and documentation in lab workflows.
• Proven ability to optimize high-throughput eDNA workflows and automation.
• Excellent collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Establish an integrated LIMS covering sample processing from collection to data delivery.
• Develop and document SOPs for the full laboratory workflow, including transport, extraction, and sequencing.
• Optimize scalable eDNA extraction, library prep, and sequencing workflows.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive automation and cost reductions while maintaining data quality.
• Implement QC/QA procedures, ensure traceability and robust documentation.
• Evaluate new technologies and methods for potential adoption.

Skills

LIMS development

SOP implementation

QC/QA processes

Molecular biology workflows

Laboratory automation

Project coordination

Education

Doctoral degree in a relevant field

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Data management systems

Job description

The Department of Zoology at Stockholm University includes ca. 80 employees, including researchers, PhD students, and administrative staff. Research is conducted in a variety of fields, including evolutionary biology, molecular and population genetics, genomics, conservation, and behaviour.
More information about us, please visit: Department of Zoology .

The Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG) is a research centre with world class facilities and expertise for generating and analyzing ancientDNA data. CPG consists of seven group leaders and c. 40 PhD students/postdocs/staff, and is jointly funded by the Swedish Museum of Natural History and the Departments of Geological Sciences, Zoology, and Archaeology at Stockholm University.
More information about us, please visit: The Centre for Palaeogenetics .

Main responsibilities

The Department of Zoology invites applications for a Lab Operations Manager (for 9-months) based within Dr. Tom van der Valk’s research group at the Centre for Palaeogenetics (CPG). The position is funded by a grant from the European Research Council.

The successful candidate will play a central role in optimizing and standardizing laboratory workflows for high-throughput environmental DNA (eDNA) extraction and sequencing. You will evaluate existing workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions that improve efficiency, reproducibility, throughput, and sample quality. This includes assessing opportunities for automation, improving laboratory organization, and reducing hands‑on time and reagent costs without compromising data quality.

A major responsibility of the role will be to establish an integrated and traceable laboratory system covering the entire sample‑processing workflow, from sample collection and registration through DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and data delivery. You will implement and maintain a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), develop standardized operating procedures (SOPs), and ensure accurate sample tracking, metadata collection, quality control, and full traceability throughout the workflow.

• Establish and implement a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for sample registration, metadata management, labeling, laboratory tracking, quality control, and sequencing data management.
• Develop and document Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering the complete laboratory workflow, from field sampling and sample transport to sequencing and data delivery.
• Optimize protocols for scalable, high-throughput environmental DNA (eDNA) extraction, library preparation, and sequencing.
• Evaluate and implement opportunities for increased efficiency and cost reduction through alternative reagents, reduced reaction volumes, automation, batch processing, and improved use of consumables.
• Establish quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) procedures, acceptance criteria, and documentation to ensure robust, reproducible, and traceable laboratory workflows.
• Evaluate, test, and implement new technologies for DNA extraction, sequencing, laboratory automation, and workflow optimization.

Qualification requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country, in a relevant subject area (e.g. Molecular biology, Cellular Biology, Biochemistry). Applicants must also have demonstrated experience developing and implementing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and laboratory quality management systems in a research and industrial environment.

The assessment of applicants will be based on the degree to which they possess the qualifications, experience, and personal capabilities required to establish and further develop scalable laboratory workflows.

Particular emphasis will be placed on:

• Extensive practical experience in molecular or cellular biology laboratory methods.
• Demonstrated experience developing, optimizing, standardizing, and troubleshooting laboratory workflows and protocols.
• Experience implementing and managing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or other laboratory data management systems.
• Experience developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), laboratory documentation, and quality management systems.
• A highly structured and detail-oriented approach to sample handling, documentation, quality control (QC), and quality assurance (QA).
• Experience identifying workflow bottlenecks and implementing solutions to improve laboratory efficiency, scalability, and reproducibility.
• Experience planning, executing, documenting, and delivering research or laboratory development projects.
• Ability to coordinate activities across multidisciplinary teams and collaborate effectively with researchers, laboratory staff, and external partners.
• Experience evaluating and implementing new laboratory methods, technologies, or automation solutions.
• Ability to review scientific literature and evaluate new methods and technologies for possible implementation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Advantageous:

• Experience supervising and training laboratory personnel or students.
• Experience working under ISO 17025, ISO 9001, GLP, GMP, or other quality management systems.
• Experience from both academic and private-sector research environments.

Personal suitability will be given considerable weight. The successful applicant should be proactive, solution-oriented, curious, and capable of working independently while contributing to a collaborative and multicultural working environment. The position requires strong organizational skills, accuracy and flexibility.

About the employment

This is a full-time employment, limited for 9 months. Start date as per agreement, but ideally before October 1st 2026. Stockholm University applies individual salary setting.

We offer

With us, you will experience the dynamic interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international environment and get favourable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good transport links to the city.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Type of employment Temporary position

Contract type Full time

Salary Individual salary setting

Number of positions 1

Full-time equivalent 100 %

City Stockholm

Country Sweden

Reference number SU FV-2483-26

Union representative

• ST/OFR ST/OFR, 08162000, [e-mail]
• Saco-S Saco-S, 08162000, [e-mail]
• Seko Seko, 0770457900, [e-mail]