Laboratory Manager- Wilson Lab

hhmi; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 34,440,000 - 44,083,000; Part time

Job summary

Harvard Medical School's Wilson lab in the Department of Neurobiology in Boston, MA is seeking a Part-time Laboratory Manager to handle the lab's operational, administrative, and organizational backbone. You will oversee procurement, inventory, vendor relationships, digital tools, and documentation, and you will train new lab members on workflows.

The position is budgeted for 20 hours/week, with a possibility of 30 hours, primarily in person with some remote work.

Qualifications

• BA/BS or equivalent degree.
• Experience with detail-oriented tasks requiring high accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using digital tools to track detailed or technical content.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing, receiving, and shipping for the lab.
• Maintain stocks of lab supplies and lead strategic supply planning.
• Maintain and update the organization of shared supplies and equipment.
• Keep software licenses and service contracts current.
• Handle billing questions and problems with the institutional finance office.
• Manage vendor communications, including registering new vendors and securing quotes.
• Make routine strategic procurement decisions, such as selecting a vendor from a short list of regular suppliers.
• Process reimbursements.
• Supervise and manage the lab's digital communication tools (Google Calendars, Google Sheets, Slack, GitHub).
• Keep the lab Wiki up to date as policies and procedures evolve.
• Manage regulatory compliance tasks (importation and safety permits).
• Track asset inventory.
• Train new lab members to understand and use the lab's workflows.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Communication skills

Mentoring/training

Team leadership

Education

BA/BS or equivalent

Tools

Google Calendar

Google Sheets

Slack

GitHub

Job description

Primary Work Address: Dept. of Genetics, Boston, MA, 02115

We have an opportunity for a Part time Laboratory Manager to join the Wilson lab at Harvard Medical School, Boston MA.

Dr. Rachel Wilson's lab, based in the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, studies how the brain performs neural computations at the level of network connectivity, synapses, and ion channels. The team currently focuses on the neural basis of navigation behavior in Drosophila , combining electrophysiology and optical physiology in behaving flies with brain-wide 'connectomics' and computational modeling. The goal is a mechanistic understanding of how flies use sensory cues, internal states, and memory to guide navigation. Learn more about the lab at https://wilson.hms.harvard.edu

As Lab Manager, you will handle the operational, administrative, and organizational backbone of the lab. Previous experience working in a lab is valued, but prior hands-on science experience is not necessary. We're looking for someone who is meticulous, communicative, and has excellent executive function, so that the lab's supplies, systems, compliance, and communication tools run smoothly and predictably. You will be the person the lab depends on to keep procurement, inventory, vendor relationships, digital tools, and documentation organized and up to date, and to train incoming lab members on all these workflows.

This position is budgeted for 20 hours/week, though we are open to a highly qualified candidate who prefers 30 hours/week instead. The role will be primarily in person; however, some daily responsibilities could be handled remotely. We anticipate the role will require 2-3 days/week on-site. If a candidate prefers to work on-site exclusively, that is also possible.

What we provide:

• A flexible schedule, with hybrid work possible.
• Direct training and mentorship from the Principal Investigator and senior staff.
• Access to the vibrant scientific community of Harvard Medical School and the broader Boston biomedical research community.
• This position offers an opportunity to join a strong team of friendly, collegial scientists working at the forefront of modern neuroscience research.
• We value honesty, consistency, energy, and commitment to life-long learning.

What you'll do:

• Manage purchasing, receiving, and shipping for the lab.
• Maintain stocks of lab supplies and lead strategic supply planning.
• Maintain and update the organization of shared supplies and equipment.
• Keep software licenses and service contracts current and up to date.
• Handle billing questions and problems in coordination with the institutional finance office.
• Manage vendor communications, including registering new vendors and securing quotes.
• Make routine strategic procurement decisions, such as selecting a vendor from a short list of regular suppliers.
• Process reimbursements.
• Supervise and manage the lab's digital communication tools, including Google Calendars, Google Sheets, Slack channels, and GitHub repositories.
• Keep the lab Wiki up to date as policies and procedures evolve.
• Manage regulatory compliance tasks, including procuring importation and safety permits.
• Track asset inventory.
• Train new lab members to understand and use the lab's workflows across all of the above areas.

What you bring:

• BA, BS, or equivalent degree.
• Experience with detail-oriented tasks requiring consistent, high accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using digital tools to track detailed or technical content.
• Prior experience managing small groups (e.g., co-leading a club or team).
• Documented ability to create and maintain an organizational system.
• A track record of taking initiative to identify and solve emerging problems.
• Demonstrated skills and interest in training, mentoring, and/or informal education (e.g., tutoring, volunteering, onboarding new club members, training new employees).
• Prior lab experience, workplace administrative experience, programming skills, experience with agentic AI workflows, and/or basic knowledge of biology (especially of fruit flies and neuroscience) are all a plus, but none are required.

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with rea