Lab Operations Specialist

RefinedScience; South Dakota; On-site; USD 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance

401(K) Plan

HSA Spending Accounts

Job summary

RefinedScience is seeking a Laboratory Operations Specialist to support day-to-day lab infrastructure and an active research pipeline in a startup environment. The role splits roughly 60% lab operations/compliance and 40% hands-on scientific work, offering exposure to cutting-edge -omics projects.

The ideal candidate has a BS or MS in a life sciences field with 2–5 years of relevant lab experience, hands-on molecular biology skills, and strong organizational abilities in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or related life sciences field.
• 2–5 years of relevant laboratory experience (academic, industry, or internship acceptable).
• Hands-on experience with standard molecular/cell biology techniques (PCR, pipetting, cell culture).
• Familiarity with lab safety and biosafety practices (BSL-1/BSL-2).
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a startup.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement, maintenance, decontamination, calibration, and repair of all lab equipment.
• Oversee inventory and supply chain logistics for lab consumables and reagents.
• Maintain physical sample storage and manage the biorepository database.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, local, state, and federal safety regulations (OSHA and biosafety).
• Oversee lab safety protocols, hazardous waste disposal, and general lab hygiene standards.
• Serve as contact for safety audits and inspections.
• Conduct hands-on in vitro research supporting pipeline programs, focusing on -omics studies.
• Support scientists in executing complex, multi-day experiments with liquid handlers and lab automation.
• Document and archive experimental protocols, data, analyses, and conclusions per SOPs.

Skills

Molecular biology

PCR

Pipetting

Laboratory safety

Organization

Prioritization

Education

BS or MS in Biology/Life Sciences

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Laboratory Operations Specialist

At RefinedScience, our mission is to advance care by bringing together the best science, data and minds – disease by disease, patient by patient, cell by cell to discover pathways to life beyond disease.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Laboratory Operations Specialist to support both the day-to-day operational infrastructure of our lab and our scientific research pipeline. This role is roughly split between lab operations/compliance (~60%) and hands-on scientific project contribution (~40%), making it ideal for someone who enjoys variety and wants exposure to cutting-edge -omics research in a startup environment. The ideal candidate is a BS or MS graduate in a life sciences field with 2-5 years of relevant laboratory experience.

KEY ACTIVITIES

• Manage procurement, maintenance, decontamination, calibration, and repair of all laboratory equipment
• Oversee inventory and supply chain logistics for lab consumables and reagents
• Maintain physical sample storage and manage the biorepository database
• Ensure all laboratory activities comply with institutional, local, state, and federal safety regulations, including OSHA and biosafety guidelines
• Oversee lab safety protocols, hazardous waste disposal procedures, and general laboratory hygiene standards
• Serve as a point of contact for safety audits and inspections
• Conduct hands-on in vitro research supporting ongoing pipeline programs, with a strong focus on -omics studies (e.g., genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics)
• Support scientists in executing complex, multi-day experiments, including setup and operation of liquid/fluid handlers and other lab automation equipment
• Document and archive experimental protocols, data, analyses, and conclusions in accordance with established SOPs and data integrity standards

MUST HAVES

• BS or MS in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related life sciences field
• 2-5 years of relevant laboratory experience (academic, industry, or internship experience considered)
• Hands-on experience with standard molecular/cell biology techniques (e.g., PCR, pipetting, cell culture)
• Familiarity with lab safety and biosafety practices (e.g., BSL-1/BSL-2)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced startup environment

NICE TO HAVES

• Experience with -omics workflows (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics)
• Experience operating liquid handlers or lab automation systems
• Experience with laboratory inventory management systems (LIMS) or biorepository databases
• Experience carrying out tasks in a GLP setting
• Prior experience in a startup or small-team lab setting

WHY YOU’LL LOVE REFINED SCIENCE

Team + Values

At RefinedScience, we seamlessly integrate top-tier clinical and biological data with expert knowledge to provide unparalleled insights. We maximize patient impact with these unique insights by optimizing clinical trial probability of success and time to actionable results. We work across biopharma and we are a trusted partner in achieving better results, faster - working together to unlock strategic advantage.

Our Values

• Act with Purpose - We believe in rigor through deliberate and thoughtful actions
• Be Curious - Curiosity is the spark that ignites innovation and growth
• Take Ownership - True ownership leads to pride and commitment in the work we do
• Invest in Relationships - Building strong connections is the foundation for effective collaboration and trust for long term success
• Embrace Agility - We celebrate agile thinking, resilience, and adaptability

WHAT WE OFFER

• The target salary range is $65,000 to $76,000 annually.
• Base pay offered may vary within the posted range based on several factors, including but not limited to education, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Life, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (none is 100% covered)
• HSA Spending Accounts
• 22 Vacation days
• 10 Paid Holidays and Sick Time (120 hours per year)
• 401(K) Plan