Lab Operations Manager: Mouse Colony & Research Support

Caltech; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute seeking a Lab Manager to oversee administrative, operational, and research support for a laboratory. Responsibilities include mouse colony oversight, regulatory compliance, procurement, budgeting, and safety.

The role requires training and supervising personnel, providing technical guidance in animal handling and research techniques, and supporting experimental design and execution to advance the lab's objectives.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in research laboratory operations, including cell biology, mouse genetics, and lab administration.
• Advanced knowledge of molecular and cellular biology techniques to support research objectives and operations.
• Experience with laboratory procurement, budgeting, and financial administration using institutional systems and vendor management.
• Thorough knowledge of animal research regulations and safety requirements, supporting OLAR/EH&S inspections and reporting.
• Experience training and guiding laboratory personnel in animal handling, procedures, and compliance activities.
• Ability to manage laboratory resources, maintain records, coordinate priorities, and support efficient operations in a research environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate administrative, operational, and research support functions of a laboratory.
• Manage and oversee the laboratory mouse colony, breeding, genotyping, records, and compliance with animal care regulations.
• Train, supervise, and provide guidance to research personnel in animal handling, cell line development, tissue collection, and histology.
• Administer and maintain laboratory inventories (plasmids, cell lines, enzymes, antibodies, chemicals) with proper storage and tracking.
• Coordinate procurement activities, equipment maintenance, vendor interactions, and service contracts; evaluate purchasing options.
• Monitor expenditures, reconcile P-Card transactions, track grant-funded purchases, and maintain financial records.
• Serve as Laboratory Safety Officer, implementing safety procedures and required trainings; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with staff to support experimental design, execution, and troubleshooting as needed.

Skills

Laboratory management

Animal handling training

Procurement & budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Staff training

Financial recordkeeping

Education

MS in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or related life sciences

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute seeking a Lab Manager to oversee administrative, operational, and research support for a laboratory. Responsibilities include mouse colony oversight, regulatory compliance, procurement, budgeting, and safety.

The role requires training and supervising personnel, providing technical guidance in animal handling and research techniques, and supporting experimental design and execution to advance the lab's objectives.