Laboratory Manager, Energy Sciences

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a dynamic Lab Manager to support the Energy Sciences directorates. The role covers day-to-day lab operations, cross-functional safety programs, budgeting, and coordination with PIs and leadership in a high-visibility research environment.

The position requires onsite work and a strong background in facilities, operations, and safety within a research or teaching setting. Collaboration with ESH, Facilities, and other departments is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience.
• Understanding of academic research facility needs.
• Experience managing facilities, operations, maintenance, space, and equipment administration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of division laboratories and coordinate with PI labs, scientists, postdocs and students.
• Develop strategic plans for future laboratory needs with PIs and department leadership.
• Administer and prepare complex budgets with multiple funding sources.
• Develop and direct lab-specific safety programs and work planning and control processes with the ESH coordinator.

Skills

Budget management

Laboratory management

Safety compliance

Communication skills

Project coordination

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a dynamic Lab Manager to support the Energy Sciences directorates at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. SLAC’s Energy Sciences Directorate includes five scientific divisions. From studying chemical reactions that happen in femtosecond timescale to advancing society’s energy technology, the Energy Sciences Directorate’s research addresses an enormous range of critical scientific challenges. SLAC’s distinguished history, world-class experimental facilities, close ties to Stanford University and connections to Silicon Valley provide the background for our work and success.

Position Overview

We are looking for a dynamic Lab Manager to support the Energy Sciences directorates at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. SLAC’s Energy Sciences Directorate includes five scientific divisions. From studying chemical reactions that happen in femtosecond timescale to advancing society’s energy technology, the Energy Sciences Directorate’s research addresses an enormous range of critical scientific challenges. SLAC’s distinguished history, world-class experimental facilities, close ties to Stanford University and connections to Silicon Valley provide the background for our work and success.

This multi-faceted role involves management of dynamic, multiple PI labs and substantial cross-functional interaction with Environment, Safety and Health (ESH), Facilities, and other departments.

Please note given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.

Your Specific Responsibilities Include

• Ensure day-to-day functioning of the Division laboratories, working in close coordination with division leadership and a multi-disciplinary group of PIs, scientists, postdocs, and students.
• Participate in creating strategic plans for future laboratory needs in consultation with PIs and department leadership. Consult and collaborate with PIs and department leadership to plan and allocate lab space for current and future and research needs.
• Administer and prepare complex budgets that include multiple funding sources.
• Work closely with the ESH coordinator to develop and direct lab-specific safety programs and work planning and control (WPC) processes, including access policies, orientation training programs, and other operational protocols.
• Provide laboratory orientation training to workers.
• Assist laboratory workers and ESH coordinator in the development of experiment-specific standard operating procedures (SOP) that address hazards and controls. Verify researcher knowledge of, and adherence to, experimental SOPs.
• Release work in accordance with SLAC Work Planning and Control guidelines, and hazard specific ESH requirements.
• Coordinate with the ESH coordinator, ESH, and workers to properly manage chemicals, hazardous or radioactive materials, and waste streams. May perform routine inspections in conjunction with designated lab waste custodians.
• In conjunction with PIs and/or equipment managers, develop and oversee administration of equipment-specific training and protocols, including specialized equipment training, protocols for standard use and advanced techniques.
• Working with the Procurement Gatekeeper, provide oversight for laboratory procurement of equipment, hazardous materials, and services from outside vendors. Ensure adherence to SLAC policies, including requirements for particularly hazardous substances, chemicals of concern, and use-restricted chemicals.
• Ensure proper maintenance of laboratory equipment, hazard control ventilation systems, and emergency equipment, including coordination with internal facilities groups and/or external vendor contracts for maintenance and repair.
• Perform inspections and walkthroughs to assess success of laboratory policies and practices and solicit feedback from laboratory workers.
• Coordinate laboratory moves, upgrades, or renovations as needed with the building manager.

Expected pay range for this position is $120, 000 - $150,000 per annum

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Understanding of academic research facility needs.
• General background in a discipline related to the work of specific lab(s).
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple large budgets.
• Knowledge and experience in managing facilities, operations, maintenance, space, and equipment administration in a research or teaching setting.
• Excellent communication and customer services skills.
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects in a complex and technical environment.
• Familiarity with health and safety compliance regulations.

Responsibilities

Core Duties

• Oversee the operation and management of assigned research and teaching facilities.
• Participate in creating strategic plans for future laboratory needs in consultation with faculty and department leadership. Consult and collaborate with faculty and department leadership to plan and allocate lab space for current and future teaching and research needs.
• Plan and determine equipment needs, authorize purchase of equipment including capital improvements, and manage installation of equipment and instruments in collaboration with facilities services staff. Evaluate and strategically determine equipment upgrade/replacement options and other alternatives in lieu of repair based on latest technological advances and current and future needs. Negotiate, select, and monitor complex equipment service contracts and warranties with vendors.
• Design and implement plans for renovations of equipment and/or facilities; manage complex laboratory moves in collaboration with facilities services staff.
• Administer and prepare complex budgets that include multiple funding sources.
• Oversee and administer health and safety programs and ensure safety compliance; liaison with school and/or university health and safety office as appropriate.
• Direct work of other staff including supervision, hiring, promotions, and terminations; determine staffing needs, and ensure efficient utilization of staff.

Minimum Education And Experience

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Understanding of academic research facility needs.
• General background in a discipline related to the work of specific lab(s).
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple large budgets.
• Knowledge and experience in managing facilities, operations, maintenance, space, and equipment administration in a research or teaching setting.
• Excellent communication and customer services skills.
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects in a complex and technical environment.
• Familiarity with health and safety compliance regulations.