Genomics Laboratory Manager

Chenega Professional Services Strategic Business Unit; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC. seeks a Genomics Laboratory Manager to oversee the Center for Genome Sciences laboratories, ensuring operational readiness and multi-omics research support.

You will manage daily genomic operations, training, and supply chains while maintaining regulatory compliance. You will lead NGS workflows on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms, supervise personnel, and coordinate with investigators and vendors to sustain mission readiness for DoD

Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• At least 10 years of direct biological research laboratory management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with next-generation sequencing workflows and genomic laboratory operations.
• Experience operating in BSL-2 laboratory environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of genomic, biosurveillance, and systems biology laboratories conducting multi-omics, NGS, and bioinformatics research.
• Perform and support NGS workflows using Illumina platforms and Oxford Nanopore platforms.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction, bioanalysis, quantitation, PCR/qPCR, and library preparation; quality control of RNA/DNA.
• Operate automated liquid handling and sample-processing equipment; manage nucleic acid purification from various samples.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for daily laboratory operations and mission readiness.
• Oversee maintenance, calibration, certification, troubleshooting, and emergency repair of specialized genomic equipment.
• Forecast, order, track, and store laboratory consumables and reagents; manage inventory in approved systems.
• Ensure compliance with DoD, CDC, biosafety, GLP, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain SOPs, risk assessments, and training records; coordinate with Biosafety Officer on deviations.
• Train personnel and rotational staff on safety, workflows, and SOPs.
• Conduct inspections and support decontamination, waste disposal, and contamination-control activities.
• Provide monthly status reports on operations, maintenance, procurement, and SOP updates.
• Coordinate with leadership, investigators, maintenance, vendors, and partners; travel CONUS/OCONUS as needed.
• Obtain and maintain Biological Personnel Reliability Program enrollment.

Skills

Genomics laboratory management

NGS workflows

Regulatory compliance

Biosafety (BSL-2)

Cross-functional leadership

Technical supervision

Education

MS in Molecular Biology / Microbiology / Genetics

Tools

Illumina sequencing platforms

Oxford Nanopore sequencing

Hamilton STAR

KingFisher

Qubit

NanoDrop

TapeStation

LIMS

Job description

Summary

Come join a company that strives for Extraordinary People and Exceptional Performance! Chenega Services and Federal Solutions, LLC., a Chenega Professional Services’ company, is looking for a Genomics Laboratory Manager oversees the logistical, operational, safety, and technical readiness of the Center for Genome Sciences laboratories. This key personnel role manages daily genomic, biosurveillance, and systems biology laboratory operations; supports next-generation sequencing and multi-omics research; maintains regulatory and biosafety compliance; trains personnel; coordinates equipment maintenance and scientific supply chains; and supports Principal Investigators in the execution of sequencing protocols supporting Department of Defense biosurveillance and medical countermeasure missions.

Our company offers employees the opportunity to join a team where there is a robust employee benefits program, management engagement, quality leadership, an atmosphere of teamwork, recognition for performance, and promotion opportunities. We actively strive to channel our highly engaged employee’s knowledge, critical thinking, and determination to innovate scalable solutions for our clients.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of genomic, biosurveillance, and systems biology laboratories conducting multi-omics, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics research on high-consequence pathogens.


• Perform and support NGS workflows using Illumina platforms, including iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq, NextSeq 2000, and NovaSeq 6000, and Oxford Nanopore platforms, including MinION and GridION.


• Perform nucleic acid extraction, bioanalysis, quantitation, conventional PCR and qPCR, manual and automated library preparation, and RNA/DNA quality control using NanoDrop, Qubit, and Agilent TapeStation systems.


• Operate and support automated liquid handling and sample-processing equipment, including Hamilton STAR and KingFisher systems; purify nucleic acids from inactivated viral cultures, animal tissues, and human blood samples; and assist with nucleic acid-based assay design and execution.


• Serve as the primary point of contact for daily laboratory operations and maintain mission readiness of laboratory facilities.


• Oversee maintenance, calibration, certification, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and emergency repair of specialized genomic equipment, automated liquid handlers, and biosafety cabinets in coordination with Government personnel and vendors.


• Forecast, order, receive, track, and properly store laboratory consumables, library preparation kits, reagents, temperature-sensitive materials, and specialized supplies; maintain inventory records in approved systems such as DMLSS, GFEBS, or LIMS and manage freezer alarm response protocols.


• Ensure compliance with applicable DoD, CDC, institutional, Select Agent, biosafety, biosecurity, chemical hygiene, hazardous waste, GLP, and well-documented study requirements.


• Maintain and revise SOPs, risk assessments, chemical hygiene plans, capture forms, equipment documentation, sample-processing records, protocol records, and other laboratory documentation; document deviations and implement corrective actions in coordination with the Biosafety Officer.


• Train and track training of new personnel and rotational staff on laboratory safety, equipment use, genomic workflows, SOP compliance, and documentation requirements.


• Conduct laboratory inspections and support decontamination, cleaning, waste disposal, and contamination-control activities for laboratory spaces, benches, and biosafety cabinets.


• Provide monthly status reports covering operational status, equipment downtime, procurement bottlenecks, completed maintenance, critical inventory, pending orders, and SOP updates.


• Maintain laboratory records, LIMS activities, inventory tracking, data management, and DoD/Federal procurement processes to ensure continuity and shared resource availability.


• Coordinate with Center for Genome Sciences leadership, Principal Investigators, internal maintenance personnel, external vendors, and partners; present work and attend meetings and training.


• Cross-train and provide technical support to other Molecular Biology Division areas as needed and travel CONUS or OCONUS approximately one to two times per year when required.


• Obtain and maintain Biological Personnel Reliability Program enrollment in accordance with contract and regulatory requirements.


• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, or a closely related field.


• At least 10 years of direct biological research laboratory management experience.


• Demonstrated experience managing a biological research laboratory and laboratory personnel, consistent with the Scientist 3 labor category.


• Demonstrated experience with next-generation sequencing workflows and genomic laboratory operations.


• Experience operating in BSL-2 laboratory environments.


• Demonstrated ability to conduct and support independent research, document results, and communicate findings through technical reports, presentations, and/or peer-reviewed publications.


• Experience maintaining laboratory SOPs, records, equipment readiness, inventory, safety, and regulatory compliance.


• Ability to obtain and maintain BPRP enrollment and comply with applicable biosafety and biosecurity requirements.


• Ability to travel CONUS or OCONUS approximately one to two times per year, as required.


• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in BSL-3 and/or BSL-4 high-containment environments.


• Experience with Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms and automated liquid handling systems.


• Experience with DMLSS, GFEBS, localized LIMS, and DoD/Federal procurement processes.


• Experience with DoD, CDC, Select Agent, GLP, or well-documented study compliance requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of molecular biology, genomics, NGS workflows, nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, library preparation, and RNA/DNA quality control.


• Knowledge of laboratory biosafety, biosecurity, chemical hygiene, hazardous waste management, contamination control, and regulated documentation.


• Strong laboratory operations, personnel training, equipment management, inventory control, procurement, and vendor coordination skills.


• Ability to independently plan and accomplish goals, exercise professional judgment, manage competing priorities, and maintain mission readiness.


• Strong written and oral communication skills, including preparation of technical reports, SOPs, presentations, and training materials.


• Ability to work collaboratively with Principal Investigators, scientific personnel, Government stakeholders, maintenance teams, vendors, and external partners.

Estimated Salary/Wage

USD $85,000.00/Yr. Up to USD $100,000.00/Yr.