Lab Manager

The University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 40,409 - 60,613; Full time

Job summary

The University of Georgia is seeking a Lab Manager for the Brain Food Lab in Athens to oversee data management, study coordination, and supervisory duties. You will handle data entry, cleaning, storage, and coding pipelines, and coordinate recruitment and MRI logistics for pediatric studies.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and experience with data analysis and possibly neuroimaging; supervision of students and regulatory compliance are key facets of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Experience with programming and data analysis in R, Python, Bash, and/or MATLAB; familiarity with scripting and data pipelines.
• Experience working with youth participants or in pediatric research.
• Familiarity with neuroimaging (MRI/fMRI) studies.
• Knowledge of obesity-related research or neurocognitive testing is a bonus.
• Experience supervising and training undergraduate and graduate students.

Responsibilities

• Oversee data management, organization, cleaning, and coding pipelines for behavioral, questionnaire, and imaging data.
• Coordinate participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, and MRI scanning logistics for pediatric studies.
• Mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate research assistants; provide training on study procedures and data handling.
• Assist the PI with grant reports, progress summaries, and contributions to manuscripts.
• Manage lab operations, inventory, budgeting, and compliance with IRB protocols.

Skills

Programming & Data Analysis

Pediatric Research

Neuroimaging (MRI/fMRI)

Obesity/Neurocognitive Testing

Supervising Students

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Lab Manager

Posting Number: S14318P
Working Title: Lab Manager
Department: FACS-Nutritional Sciences
Posting Type: External
Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP
Employment Type: Employee
Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time: Full Time
Additional Schedule Information: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Advertised Salary: $40,409 - $60,613
Posting Date: 11/06/2025
Open until filled: Yes
Proposed Starting Date: 01/01/2026
Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with programming and data analysis in R, Python, Bash, and/or MATLAB and familiarity with scripting, and/or data pipelines is preferred.
• Experience working with youth participants or in pediatric research is preferred.
• Familiarity with neuroimaging (MRI/fMRI) studies is preferred.
• Knowledge of obesity-related research or neurocognitive testing is a bonus.
• Experience supervising and training undergraduate and graduate students is preferred.

Position Summary

The Laboratory Manager position is a full-time role within the Brain Food Lab at the University of Georgia, directed by Dr. Shana Adise, PhD, focusing on neurocognitive development, obesity, and related outcomes in youth. The primary responsibilities of the Lab Manager are multifaceted, serving as the operational and technical backbone of the lab. Key duties include data management and analysis (overseeing entry, cleaning, storage, and coding pipelines) and study coordination (managing participant recruitment, scheduling, and MRI scanning logistics). Additionally, the Lab Manager is responsible for supervision and training of research assistants, handling daily lab operations (inventory and ordering), managing regulatory compliance (IRB protocols), and providing general administrative and research support to the PI, such as assisting with grant reports.

Data Management & Analysis

• Oversee the secure storage, organization, and cleaning of all behavioral, questionnaire, and imaging data.
• Manage data entry processes and computational workflows.
• Assist in coding pipelines to ensure reproducible research practices.
• Assist the Principal Investigator (PI) with statistical analyses to support ongoing projects.

Percentage of time: 25%

Study Coordination

• Lead efforts in participant recruitment, screening, and scheduling for all ongoing studies, specifically working with youth participants in pediatric research.
• Coordinate all MRI scanning logistics and collaborate closely with imaging cores to ensure seamless data acquisition.
• Serve as the primary communication liaison with study participants and collaborators.

Percentage of time: 25%

Supervision & Training

• Actively mentor and supervise a team of undergraduate and graduate research assistants.
• Provide training on all study procedures, standardized data handling, and quality control measures to maintain data integrity.

Percentage of time: 15%

Administrative & Research Support

• Assist the PI with the preparation and editing of grant reports, progress summaries, and contributions to scientific manuscripts.
• Participate in lab meetings, contributing actively to discussions on experimental design, data interpretation, and strategic project planning.

Percentage of time: 15%

Lab Operations

• Manage and maintain lab inventory, including the ordering of supplies and materials, while adhering to budget guidelines.
• Ensure that all lab equipment is functioning optimally and coordinate necessary repairs or updates.
• Safely transport scientific equipment, materials, and/or data between research facilities and other designated locations to support experimental and operational needs.

Percentage of time: 10%

Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee the maintenance of all IRB (Institutional Review Board) protocols, including managing amendments and annual renewals.
• Ensure the research team’s strict adherence to all ethical research standards, university policies, and federal regulations.

Percentage of time: 10%

Physical Demands

• Some degree of physical activity, including lifting, to conduct programs (e.g., handling supplies and demonstration materials, audio/visual equipment, etc.).
• Standing and/or sitting for various lengths of time.
• Driving as needed to perform job duties.

Driving Responsibility

Yes

Position of Trust

Yes

Financial Resources

Yes

P-Card Requirement

No

Direct Interaction with Children

Yes

Security Access

Yes

Credit Check Requirement

Required

Background Investigation

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including criminal background check, confirmation of credentials, and satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for high-risk positions.

Recruitment Contact

Name: Shana Adise
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]