Lab Manager (9601C), Innovative Genomics Institute #89155

University of California; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 96,432,000 - 110,208,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Lab Manager for the Innovative Genomics Institute to oversee wet lab operations, maintain safety standards, and manage equipment and supplies. The role collaborates with PIs and researchers across projects and includes fieldwork support where needed.

The position emphasizes strong molecular biology skills, inventory tracking, and leadership to coordinate multi-project lab activities within a dynamic, safety-conscious environment.

Qualifications

• Proficient in core molecular biology techniques including gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA extraction (phenol-chloroform), PCR, and microbial culturing.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and enforce lab safety protocols and write and maintain SOPs.
• Experience tracking and managing laboratory inventory (including samples) and data across multiple projects over time.
• Ability to lead, delegate, and coordinate independent tasks in a collaborative lab environment.

Responsibilities

• Point of contact for all wet lab functions, manage the higher level organization of the lab, and coordinate dynamic space requirements.
• Manage communications across Slack, email, and other mediums; coordinate budgetary responsibilities and ensure grant expenditure control.
• Monitor inventory of reagents and consumables; order supplies and equipment; coordinate service requests and payments to vendors.
• Write and implement SOPs and BUAs; ensure safety standards are observed and chemical waste is disposed of properly.
• Support or lead research projects and carry out lab tasks, including techniques like nucleic acid extraction and preparing solutions.
• Assist with fieldwork preparation, execution, and storage of field equipment.

Skills

Molecular biology

Gel electrophoresis

DNA/RNA extraction

PCR

Microbial culturing

Lab safety

Inventory management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences

Job description

Lab Manager (9601C), Innovative Genomics Institute #89155

At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

The Innovative Genomics Institute is a joint effort between the Bay Area's leading scientific research institutions, UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, with affiliates at UC Davis, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Gladstone Institutes, and other institutions. The IGIs diverse group of leading scientists have powerful interdisciplinary expertise. They conduct world-class research, driven by the real possibility of using genome engineering to treat human diseases, end hunger, and respond to climate change.

In addition to our scientific efforts, the IGI is committed to advancing public understanding of genome engineering, providing resources for the broader community, and guiding the ethical use of these technologies.

Position Summary

The Lab Manager manages wet lab operations in close collaboration with the PIs and researchers. This position maintains a safe laboratory environment through personnel onboarding and enforcement of safety standards in line with UC Berkeley requirements, coordinates wet lab logistics, and procures equipment and supplies for both daily operations and specific research needs while ensuring grant expenditure control. Additionally, the Lab Manager provides broader lab management and supports researchers performing wet lab techniques and fieldwork.

Responsibilities

• Point of contact for all wet lab functions, manage the higher level organization of the lab, and coordinate dynamic space requirements.

Broad Logistics

• Managing communications across different mediums (slack, email), executing lab operations and logistics.
• This includes, for example, coordinating with the Research Administrator on budgetary responsibilities and ensuring grant expenditure control.

Inventory and Procurement

• Monitor inventory of laboratory reagents and consumables and keep track of supplies needed.
• Order supplies and equipment, as needed. Coordinate service requests and ensure payment of vendors/suppliers.
• Oversee expenditures and ensure fiscal responsibility.

Lab Safety Coordinator

• Writing and implementing SOPs and BUAs, ensuring university safety standards are being observed, and chemical waste is being properly disposed of.
• Interacting with EHS for lab business.
• Provides personnel training, enforcement and training of safety standards in accordance with UC Berkeley requirements.

Research Assignment

• Flexibility to support or lead a research project and carry out laboratory tasks as needed.
• This may include techniques such as phenol-chloroform nucleic acid extraction, preparing routine solutions or custom formulations for specific experiments such as ongoing bioreactor experiments, and other molecular biology or microbiology protocols as well as support for computational research.

Fieldwork Support

• Assist with fieldwork, including preparation, execution, and storage of field equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Proficient in core molecular biology techniques, including gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA extraction (e.g., phenol-chloroform), PCR, and microbial culturing.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and enforce lab safety protocols, write and maintain SOPs.
• Experience tracking and managing laboratory inventory (including samples inventory), equipment, and data across multiple research projects over extended periods.
• Ability to lead, delegate, and coordinate independent tasks in a collaborative lab environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) environment, including use of anaerobic chambers and biological safety cabinets.

Education / Training

• Bachelors of Science in Natural Sciences and/or equivalent training or experience. (Required)

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly pay that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $33.66, Step 1.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.