Lab Coordinator

Candel Therapeutics, Inc.; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Candel Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Lab Coordinator to ensure the smooth, compliant daily operation of our Needham, MA laboratory environment.

You will coordinate logistics, manage inventory, and support equipment maintenance to enable scientists to focus on advancing cancer immunotherapies. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, proactive, and capable of building strong cross-functional relationships with Research, Translational Medicine, Analytical Development, Manufacturing,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field.
• 2–5 years in lab operations within biotechnology/pharma or research.
• Experience with inventory, purchasing, and vendor coordination.
• Experience in a regulated laboratory environment is preferred.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily lab operations to ensure an organized, efficient, and compliant laboratory environment.
• Manage laboratory inventory, including ordering, receiving, stocking, and tracking laboratory supplies, reagents, and consumables.
• Maintain relationships with laboratory vendors and coordinate deliveries, equipment servicing, and maintenance schedules.
• Oversee laboratory equipment records, calibration schedules, preventative maintenance, and service documentation.
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing biological samples, shipments, and chain-of-custody documentation as appropriate.
• Maintain laboratory organization, storage areas, and shared workspaces to support operational excellence.
• Assist with laboratory onboarding by coordinating workstation setup, PPE, access, and laboratory orientation for new employees.
• Support laboratory safety initiatives by maintaining safety supplies, coordinating inspections, and partnering with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) programs.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, logs, and records in accordance with company procedures.
• Coordinate waste removal, laboratory housekeeping vendors, and facility support activities.
• Assist with laboratory scheduling, conference room coordination, and shared equipment reservations.
• Partner closely with Research, Translational Medicine, Analytical Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Facilities teams to ensure laboratory readiness.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, organization, and operational efficiency.
• Support special projects and additional operational initiatives as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project coordination

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or related life sciences

Tools

Excel

Inventory management systems

Purchasing systems

Job description

Lab Coordinator

Location: Onsite, Needham, MA

Salary: $88k-$100k

Why WorkWithUs?

At Candel, our people drive our success. We value diversity, collaboration, and bold thinking in a supportive, mission-driven environment. Like a team, we show up for each other and stay focused on making a difference for patients and families. Our leadership is transparent and empowering, and our culture is built on trust, flexibility, and accountability, encouraging ownership and innovation every day.

Our Science: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies

Candel is a clinical-stage biopharma company developing off-the-shelf, multimodal immunotherapies that stimulate personalized, systemic anti-tumor responses. Our platforms use genetically modified adenovirus and HSV constructs. With positive Phase 3 results for our lead candidate, it’s an exciting time to join us and help bring transformative cancer treatments to patients. Learn more: www.candeltx.com

Position Summary

The Lab Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient day-to-day operation of Candel's laboratory environment. This individual serves as the central point of coordination for laboratory operations, helping scientists remain focused on research by managing laboratory logistics, inventory, equipment coordination, vendor relationships, sample management, and facility organization.

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys creating order in a fast-moving environment. They anticipate needs before they become problems, build strong relationships across scientific teams, and take pride in ensuring laboratories operate efficiently every day. This individual is highly organized, resourceful, proactive, and committed to supporting the scientists whose work advances innovative cancer therapies.

What You’ll Own

• Coordinate daily laboratory operations to ensure an organized, efficient, and compliant laboratory environment.
• Manage laboratory inventory, including ordering, receiving, stocking, and tracking laboratory supplies, reagents, and consumables.
• Maintain relationships with laboratory vendors and coordinate deliveries, equipment servicing, and maintenance schedules.
• Oversee laboratory equipment records, calibration schedules, preventative maintenance, and service documentation.
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing biological samples, shipments, and chain-of-custody documentation as appropriate.
• Maintain laboratory organization, storage areas, and shared workspaces to support operational excellence.
• Assist with laboratory onboarding by coordinating workstation setup, PPE, access, and laboratory orientation for new employees.
• Support laboratory safety initiatives by maintaining safety supplies, coordinating inspections, and partnering with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) programs.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, logs, and records in accordance with company procedures.
• Coordinate waste removal, laboratory housekeeping vendors, and facility support activities.
• Assist with laboratory scheduling, conference room coordination, and shared equipment reservations.
• Partner closely with Research, Translational Medicine, Analytical Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Facilities teams to ensure laboratory readiness.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, organization, and operational efficiency.
• Support special projects and additional operational initiatives as assigned.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or related scientific discipline preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience supporting laboratory operations within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or research environments.
• Experience coordinating laboratory inventory, purchasing, or laboratory operations.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment management and vendor coordination.
• Experience working within a regulated laboratory environment is preferred.
• Experience using inventory management or purchasing systems is a plus.
• Exceptional organizational and project coordination skills.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent follow-through.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative mindset with a customer-service approach toward internal scientific teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Comfortable learning new laboratory inventory or management systems.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while supporting multiple cross-functional teams.

NOTE: All applicants must be authorized to work in the US and do not require sponsorship. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship of any kind at this time.