Laboratory Operations Manager

CU Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and retirement plans

Tuition assistance for you and depend

ECO Pass for local transit

Job summary

BioServe Space Technologies at CU Boulder seeks a Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee lab operations and provide project support for biomedical experiments aboard the ISS. You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, payload developers, and students to plan, execute, and document spaceflight research missions.

The role entails managing lab workflows, safety compliance, and equipment maintenance while training personnel and coordinating with EH&S and IBC teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Experience operating microscopy systems and standard biological laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrated organizational, project coordination, and laboratory management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Oversee liquid nitrogen storage management and laboratory operations.
• Coordinate inventory and procurement of lab supplies and flight hardware.
• Manage calibration and preventive maintenance of equipment.
• Conduct weekly safety inspections and address corrective actions.
• Support EH&S and IBC compliance and documentation.
• Train staff and students in lab procedures and sterile technique.
• Assist with mammalian and stem cell culture and microscopy operations.
• Develop and follow lab and experimental protocols for ground-based and spaceflight studies.
• Document literature reviews to support experimental design and protocols.
• Coordinate payload implementation activities and ground testing like EVT.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project coordination

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/biomedical sciences/engineering

Tools

Microscopy systems

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Requisition Number: 73963

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: Research Faculty

Schedule: Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 19-Aug-2026

Date Posted: 05-Aug-2026

Job Summary

BioServe Space Technologies, a space life sciences research center within the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, has an immediate opening for a Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee laboratory operations and provide project support for biomedical research experiments and facilities flown aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The Laboratory Operations Manager works closely with BioServe's multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, payload developers, integration specialists, safety personnel, operations staff, and undergraduate and graduate students to successfully develop and execute spaceflight research missions.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

BioServe Space Technologies is a Center within the Ann and HJ Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences department at CU Boulder. Since its inception in 1987, BioServe has designed, built, and flown hundreds of microgravity life science research experiments and hardware on over 75 spaceflight missions. BioServe has a full suite of spaceflight-certified hardware available for use by its customers and partners. Past partners include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Universities, NIH, NASA-funded and other government agency researchers. BioServe is a full-service, turn-key organization that enables its customers and partners to focus solely on research while BioServe manages all other activities required to successfully fly experiments in microgravity.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Liquid nitrogen storage management
• Laboratory operations, organization, and workflow
• Inventory management for laboratory supplies, chemicals, and flight hardware
• Procurement of laboratory supplies, equipment, and general-use consumables
• Receiving and processing laboratory shipments
• Maintenance of chemical inventories and laboratory records
• Scheduling and tracking calibration and preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Weekly laboratory safety inspections and corrective actions
• Support of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) compliance and documentation
• Training staff and students in laboratory procedures, sterile technique, cell culture, laboratory equipment operation, and flight hardware preparation
• Mammalian and stem cell culture support
• Microscopy operation and image acquisition
• Basic cell culture analyses and documentation
• Material compatibility testing with biological samples
• Preparation, sterile assembly, and testing of BioServe spaceflight hardware
• Development and execution of laboratory and experimental protocols for both ground-based and spaceflight investigations
• Literature reviews supporting experimental design and protocol development
• Support for payload implementation activities, including documentation of experiment requirements, identification of flight and ground hardware, and coordination of ground testing activities such as feasibility testing and Experiment Verification Testing (EVT) to ensure mission success
• Develop and follow engineering and laboratory procedures utilizing BioServe's procedure process

What You Should Know

This appointment will not support the sponsorship of an H-1B or J-1 visa.

The estimated start date is September 1, 2026.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this full-time position is $85,000 - $115,000 annually.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be genuine. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Experience operating microscopy systems and standard biological laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrated organizational, project coordination, and laboratory management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience supporting biomedical research for spaceflight or other highly regulated research environments.
• Experience with spaceflight hardware assembly, payload integration, or flight hardware processing.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety regulations, biosafety compliance, and quality management systems.
• Experience training laboratory personnel and students.
• Project management experience supporting multidisciplinary scientific or engineering teams.