Lab Manager Biotransformation & Engineering, Analytics, SIFBI

A*STAR RESEARCH ENTITIES; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned research institute in Singapore is seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee end-to-end operations and manage various responsibilities, including procurement and budget tracking. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Science or Engineering and at least 3 years of relevant experience. This position requires strong communication skills, ability to manage complex projects, and a commitment to safety and compliance. Join a collaborative environment where operational excellence is a priority.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in laboratory operations or asset management.
• Experience in procurement, tender support, and budget tracking.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and regulatory compliance.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to manage complex operational projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end laboratory operations across divisions.
• Coordinate laboratory space management initiatives.
• Lead asset governance and lifecycle management.
• Oversee laboratory safety and BCM responsibilities.
• Drive procurement and tender processes.
• Manage operational budget planning and tracking.
• Maintain documentation systems including SOPs and inventories.

Skills

Laboratory operations management

Procurement

Stakeholder management

Budget tracking

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Degree in Science, Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

• Provide end-to-end laboratory operations management to assigned divisions and platforms, ensuring continuity of research activities across daily operations, shared facilities and multi-division environments.
• Plan, coordinate and execute laboratory space management initiatives, including workflow optimisation, space consolidation, equipment clustering and major relocation exercises (e.g. Geneo), working closely with researchers, consultants and central stakeholders.
• Lead asset governance and lifecycle management, including annual asset verification, reconciliation, tagging, decommissioning and disposal, ensuring full compliance with institutional and audit requirements.
• Own laboratory safety, food safety and BCM responsibilities, serving as the primary point-of-contact for HSE matters, supporting audits, risk assessments, corrective actions and emergency preparedness.
• Drive end-to-end procurement and tender processes, including requirement scoping, tender/ITQ documentation, vendor evaluation, technical clarification, purchase consolidation, goods receipt and invoice resolution.
• Manage OOE and operational budget planning for multiple projects and platforms, ensuring accurate tracking, timely utilisation and alignment with funding conditions.
• Strengthen resource optimisation and cost efficiency, including equipment utilisation tracking, cost‑recovery coordination, freezer and infrastructure consolidation, and vendor negotiations.
• Maintain structured and accurate documentation systems, including SOPs, room data sheets, equipment inventories, chemical registers and operational records.
• Actively engage and coordinate with PIs, researchers, interns, vendors, finance, procurement and facilities teams, ensuring smooth execution of operational workflows and compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Represent assigned groups in institute‑level committees and taskforces (e.g. HSE, BCM, ERP change initiatives), contributing to cross‑division alignment and operational improvements.
• Support and drive process improvement and standardisation, including SOP development, workflow harmonisation and system adoption across divisions.
• Perform other operational or project‑based duties as assigned to support institute priorities.

Job Requirement

• Degree in Science, Engineering or related discipline (e.g. food science, chemical engineering, biology, biotechnology).
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in laboratory operations, research support, facility or asset management
  (candidates with strong experience may be considered for senior roles).
• Demonstrated experience in procurement, tender support, asset management, budget tracking and vendor coordination within a research or technical environment.
• Strong working knowledge of laboratory safety, chemical handling, food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder operational projects (e.g. relocations, audits, cross‑division integration).
• Highly organised, systematic and detail‑oriented, with strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Able to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver under tight timelines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and seniority levels.
• Comfortable supporting change management initiatives, including system rollouts and new operational models.

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.