Laboratory Operations Manager

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

BioServe Space Technologies, a center within the CU Boulder aerospace engineering sciences department, seeks a Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee laboratory operations and provide project support for biomedical research experiments aboard the ISS.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to develop and execute spaceflight research missions, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficient lab workflows in a demanding, spaceflight–oriented environment.

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

• 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 EH&S and IBC compliance and documentation.
• Training staff and students in laboratory procedures, sterile technique, cell culture, 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 ground-based and spaceflight investigations.
• Literature reviews supporting experimental design and protocol development.
• Support for payload implementation activities, including documentation of experiment requirements and coordination of ground testing activities.

Skills

Microscopy operation

Lab management

Project coordination

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

Job description

Job Summary

BioServe Space Technologies, a space life sciences research centerwithin the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace EngineeringSciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, has an immediateopening for a Laboratory Operations Manager to overseelaboratory operations and provide project support for biomedicalresearch experiments and facilities flown aboard the InternationalSpace Station (ISS).

The Laboratory Operations Manager works closely with BioServe'smultidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, payloaddevelopers, integration specialists, safety personnel, operationsstaff, and undergraduate and graduate students to successfullydevelop and execute spaceflight research missions.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

BioServe Space Technologies is a Center within the Ann and HJ SmeadAerospace Engineering Sciences department at CU Boulder. Since itsinception in 1987, BioServe has designed, built, and flown hundredsof microgravity life science research experiments and hardware onover 75 spaceflight missions. BioServe has a full suite ofspaceflight-certified hardware available for use by its customersand partners. Past partners include pharmaceutical andbiotechnology companies, Universities, NIH, NASA-funded and othergovernment agency researchers. BioServe is a full-service, turn-keyorganization that enables its customers and partners to focussolely on research while BioServe manages all other activitiesrequired 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, andflight hardware
• Procurement of laboratory supplies, equipment, and general-useconsumables
• Receiving and processing laboratory shipments
• Maintenance of chemical inventories and laboratory records
• Scheduling and tracking calibration and preventive maintenanceof laboratory equipment
• Weekly laboratory safety inspections and correctiveactions
• Support of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) andInstitutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) compliance anddocumentation
• Training staff and students in laboratory procedures, steriletechnique, cell culture, laboratory equipment operation, and flighthardware 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 BioServespaceflight hardware
• Development and execution of laboratory and experimentalprotocols for both ground-based and spaceflight investigations
• Literature reviews supporting experimental design and protocoldevelopment
• Support for payload implementation activities, includingdocumentation of experiment requirements, identification of flightand ground hardware, and coordination of ground testing activitiessuch as feasibility testing and Experiment Verification Testing(EVT) to ensure mission success
• Develop and follow engineering and laboratory proceduresutilizing 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 arecommitted to supporting the holistic health and well-being of ouremployees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuitionassistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for localtransit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulderoffers an inspiring academic community and access to world-classoutdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs throughthe 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 biologicallaboratory equipment.
• Demonstrated organizational, project coordination, andlaboratory management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strongattention to detail.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience supporting biomedical research for spaceflight orother highly regulated research environments.
• Experience with spaceflight hardware assembly, payloadintegration, or flight hardware processing.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety regulations, biosafetycompliance, and quality management systems.
• Experience training laboratory personnel and students.
• Project management experience supporting multidisciplinaryscientific or engineering teams.