Laboratory Manager III

csusystem; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 64,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Moving stipend negotiable

Job summary

Colorado State University’s Department of Clinical Sciences seeks a Research Associate III to supervise the LCMOT laboratory, manage staff, ensure regulatory compliance, and coordinate budgets and reporting.

The role includes training students and researchers, conducting in vivo experiments, handling animals, and maintaining SOPs and data records in a collaborative, high-standard environment.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or higher in a related field with 5+ years of lab management experience.
• Experience with GLP/IACUC compliance.
• Strong hands-on experience with cell culture and animal handling.
• Ability to manage budgets and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Expands, maintains, and preserves human and animal cell lines using sterile techniques.
• Conducts animal handling, administration of test formulations, anesthesia, surgery, and tissue collection for studies.
• Performs tumor/device implantation and imaging using microCT and IVIS with image analysis.
• Oversees budgets, personel, training, SOPs, and ensures regulatory compliance.

Skills

Laboratory supervision

IACUC compliance

Cell culture techniques

Small-animal handling

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in related field

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

IVIS imaging

MicroCT

Imaging analysis software

Job description

Position Summary:

The Department of Clinical Sciences mission is to assure the health and productivity of animals to meet societal needs through high quality educational programs for professional veterinary medical students, graduate veterinarians, and the public through a faculty and veterinary medical center of excellence, and to advance and disseminate comparative biomedical knowledge in an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Laboratory of Comparative Musculoskeletal Oncology and Trauma (LCMOT) resides within the Flint Animal Cancer Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. LCMOT primary mission is to develop, secure funding and execute high quality hypothesis-driven research to benefit humans and animals at risk of limb loss due to tumor, trauma or infection. This Research Associate III position serves as the laboratory supervisor and manager. This includes laboratory staffing, training, quality control and developing and implementing laboratory processes, daily operations, SOPs, supervision of undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral students and visiting scientists. This position is responsible for budget generation, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol development and renewal, biosafety and animal handling training and records maintenance, invoice management, final report generation and data analysis.

Essential Job Duties:

• Expands, maintains, and preserves human and animal primary and immortalized cell lines using sterile and biosafety-compliant techniques.
• Conducts laboratory animal handling, administration of test formulations (SC, IM, PO, IP, IV), anesthesia, surgery, necropsy, and blood/tissue collection for research studies.
• Performs tumor/device implantation and infection models in rodents and conducts small-animal imaging using microCT and IVIS, including image analysis
• Prepares reagents, buffers, and media; calculates concentrations; records observations; and develops and maintains SOPs.
• Records, organizes, analyzes, and statistically evaluates experimental data and determines appropriate presentation methods.
• Supervises and trains laboratory staff, students, and visiting scientists while ensuring quality, productivity, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversees GLP operations and ensures compliance with IACUC, IBC, biosafety, and hazardous waste regulations.
• Manages laboratory budgets, cost centers, quotes, invoicing, and financial reporting for internal and external investigators.
• Oversees laboratory and shared equipment operations, including purchasing, maintenance, vendor selection, and experimental scheduling.
• Serves as the primary liaison for internal and external collaborators, facilitating resource use, communication, and participation in operational and scientific meetings.

Conditions of Employment:

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).

Supervision:

Supervises activities of hourly employees, undergraduate and graduate students, post doctoral students, visiting scientists and Lab Tech I in the LCMOT.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Applicants must have at least one of the following post-baccalaureates (or equivalent) experience level: B.A./B.S. in a related field with 5 or more years of experience
• OR Master's degree with 2 years of experience.
• OR PhD with no experience may also be appointed to this position if appropriate.

Salary Range:

$63,860-$94,760

Full Consideration Date:

The posting will remain open until filled. To ensure full consideration, August 24, 2026 at 11:59PM (MT).

Salary and Stipend:

Moving stipend may be negotiated for the successful candidate.

Employee Benefits:

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

Background Check Policy Statement:

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. T