Laboratory Manager

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah, collaborating with Huntsman Cancer Institute, seeks an experienced Research Laboratory Manager to oversee operations and mentor staff while engaging in hands-on experimental work in a dynamic academic setting.

The role emphasizes organizing lab systems, coordinating resources, and maintaining rigorous, reproducible research across molecular biology, biochemistry, and imaging. A strong team culture is valued.

Qualifications

• Experience managing or coordinating an academic biomedical research laboratory.
• Experience supervising technicians, students, or laboratory personnel.
• Expertise in molecular cloning, protein biochemistry, cancer cell signaling, fluorescence imaging, quantitative cell-based assays, or proteomic sample preparation.
• Experience maintaining laboratory inventories, equipment, safety documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Familiarity with research-data organization and electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, or closely related field.
• Approximately 3–5 years of relevant laboratory experience, or a master's degree with related experience.
• Substantial experience with mammalian cell culture and standard molecular/biochemical techniques.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing day-to-day laboratory operations, including purchasing, inventory, organization, equipment maintenance, and vendor coordination.
• Maintaining laboratory records, protocols, reagent collections, plasmid inventories, cell-line stocks, and other shared resources.
• Developing and maintaining SOPs and ensuring compliance with institutional safety and research requirements.
• Training and mentoring laboratory personnel in experimental methods, recordkeeping, safe practices, and shared equipment use.
• Coordinating onboarding and daily activities of research staff, students, and other laboratory members.
• Performing and supporting experiments in mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, protein biochemistry, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy, and proteomic sample prep.
• Assisting laboratory members with experimental design, troubleshooting, and implementing new methods.
• Coordinating projects and sample transfers with core facilities and external collaborators.
• Helping maintain research timelines, organize meetings, and monitor progress across ongoing projects.
• Contributing to figures, protocols, manuscripts, presentations, and grant-related materials as appropriate.
• Fostering a rigorous, supportive, collaborative, and well-organized laboratory environment.

Skills

Laboratory management

Mentoring

Experiment design

Project coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field

Master's degree or higher (preferred)

Tools

ELN familiarity

Mammalian cell culture techniques

Job description

Laboratory Manager

Job Summary

The Andersen Laboratory at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah is seeking an experienced, highly organized Research Laboratory Manager. Our laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate cancer cell signaling, with research spanning molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, proteomics, and imaging.

This is a full-time, benefited, on-site position intended for an experienced scientist who enjoys combining laboratory operations, mentorship, and hands‑on experimental research. We especially welcome applicants interested in building a long‑term career in academic research and providing scientific and organizational continuity within a collaborative laboratory.

Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve – which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming – with impact worldwide.

In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute's mission and this position.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing day‑to‑day laboratory operations, including purchasing, inventory, organization, equipment maintenance, and vendor coordination
• Maintaining laboratory records, protocols, reagent collections, plasmid inventories, cell‑line stocks, and other shared research resources
• Developing and maintaining standard operating procedures and ensuring compliance with institutional safety and research requirements
• Training and mentoring laboratory personnel in experimental methods, recordkeeping, safe laboratory practices, and the use of shared equipment
• Coordinating onboarding and daily activities of research staff, students, and other laboratory members
• Performing and supporting experiments in areas such as mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, protein biochemistry, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy, and preparation of samples for proteomic analysis
• Assisting laboratory members with experimental design, troubleshooting, and implementation of new methods
• Coordinating projects and sample transfers with institutional core facilities and external collaborators
• Helping maintain research timelines, organize laboratory meetings, and monitor progress across ongoing projects
• Contributing to the preparation of figures, protocols, manuscripts, presentations, and grant‑related materials as appropriate
• Fostering a rigorous, supportive, collaborative, and well‑organized laboratory environment

The balance between laboratory management and hands‑on research may be tailored somewhat to the experience and interests of the successful candidate.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related workexperience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following joblevels:

Manager, Laboratory Services: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Previous experience managing or coordinating an academic biomedical research laboratory
• Experience supervising or training technicians, students, or other laboratory personnel
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: molecular cloning, protein biochemistry, cancer cell signaling, fluorescence imaging, quantitative cell‑based assays, or proteomic sample preparation
• Experience maintaining laboratory inventories, equipment, safety documentation, and standard operating procedures
• Familiarity with research‑data organization and electronic laboratory notebooks
• Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, or a closely related field
• At least ~3-5 years of relevant laboratory experience, or a master's degree with relevant experience afterward.
• Substantial experience with mammalian cell culture and standard molecular or biochemical techniques
• Demonstrated ability to organize laboratory operations and manage multiple priorities
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to rigorous, reproducible research
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research team

A PhD is welcome but is not required. Scientific maturity, reliability, organizational ability, and relevant laboratory experience will be weighted heavily.

Job Details

• Requisition Number: PRN46578B
• Full Time or Part Time?: Full Time
• Work Schedule Summary: Full‑time; primarily on site
• Department: 02552 - HCI Joshua Andersen Lab
• Location: Campus
• Pay Rate Range: 65000 - 75000
• Close Date: 01/22/2027