Laboratory Manager- Wilson Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); United States; On-site; USD 78,000 - 98,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid schedule

Direct mentorship from PI and senior *

Access to Harvard Medical School andHH

Job summary

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) invites applications for a Part-time Laboratory Manager to join the Wilson lab at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. This role focuses on the operational backbone of the lab, ensuring procurement, inventory, and documentation run smoothly.

The ideal candidate is meticulous, communicative, and capable of training new lab members, with flexibility for 20 hours per week (30 hours possible). Most duties are in person with some remote work possible.

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.
• Prior experience managing small groups.
• Ability to create and maintain an organizational system.
• Initiative to identify and solve problems.
• Experience in training, mentoring, or onboarding new members.
• Lab experience or related administrative experience is a plus.

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 and up to date.
• Handle billing questions and problems with the institutional finance office.
• Manage vendor communications and obtain quotes.
• Make routine procurement decisions from regular suppliers.
• Process reimbursements.
• Supervise and manage the lab's digital tools (Calendars, Sheets, Slack, GitHub).
• Keep the lab Wiki up to date with policies and procedures.
• Manage regulatory compliance tasks and import/safety permits.
• Track asset inventory.
• Train new lab members on workflows.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Communication

Digital tools

Team leadership

Organization

Initiative

Training

Education

Bachelor's degree 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 reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

Hiring Pay Range $78,320.00 - $97,900.00

Pay Type: Annual

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We use E‑Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever‑evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long‑term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time.

Why HHMI

To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results‑driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community. To find more information about us and the steps we're taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization, visit our About Us page.