Laboratory Operations Manager

Aerial Talent LLC.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Aerial Talent LLC. in Cambridge, MA is seeking a highly organized Lab Operations Manager to lead daily lab operations in a small, collaborative biotech setting. The role ensures a safe, efficient, and well-maintained laboratory environment.

Responsibilities include overseeing inventory, equipment maintenance, safety compliance, ELN documentation, and vendor coordination while supporting researchers and reporting to the Associate Director, Preclinical Research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Biochemistry, or closely related field.
• Experience leading or supporting lab operations in a research or clinical setting.
• Hands-on lab skills and sterile technique (BL2) with good pipetting ability.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for managing multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with scientists, vendors, and management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day organization and cleanliness of the lab, including common areas and storage.
• Coordinate maintenance, calibration, and repair of essential equipment; manage service contracts and vendors.
• Manage lab inventory, reagents, consumables, and procurement; ensure critical reagents are in stock.
• Lead safety compliance, liaise with Lab Safety Contractor, and train staff on safety protocols.
• Provide bench support to researchers, including buffer prep, media prep, and basic techniques (roughly <20% of workload).

Skills

Lab management

Pipetting

Communication

Organization

Education

BS/BA in Biology or Biochemistry

Tools

ELN systems

Inventory management software

Job description

A stealth-mode biotech with an innovative approach to antibody-based therapeutics seeking a highly organized individual to join our small, collaborative company as a full-time Lab Operations Manager. This role is critical to the daily function and success of our research and development operations, ensuring a safe, efficient, and well-maintained laboratory environment.

Location

Cambridge, MA

Schedule

M-F onsite during core business hours. In addition, as needed after hours in an emergency situation (e.g. vital equipment failure).

Job Type

Direct hire, full-time

Opportunity Highlights

• End-to-end ownership of research lab operations
• Drive improvements to lab systems, workflows, and infrastructure
• Broad impact spanning research support, facilities, inventory, and EHS
• Reports to Associate Director, Preclinical Research

Company Highlights

• Founded and backed by a blue-chip investor
• Innovative approach to antibody-based therapeutics
• Multiple therapeutic programs in pipeline
• Collaborative, friendly environment with opportunity for mentorship

Key Responsibilities

• Laboratory Operations: Oversee the day-to-day organization and cleanliness of the laboratory, including common areas, equipment, and storage. Implement and maintain efficient systems for inventory, sample tracking, and documentation, including use of established ELN and registry systems.
• Equipment Management: Coordinate the maintenance, calibration, and repair of essential laboratory equipment (e.g., centrifuges, incubators, thermal cyclers, microscopes). Manage service contracts and vendor communications.
• Inventory and Ordering: Manage all laboratory supplies, reagents, and consumables. Track stock levels, generate purchase orders, and receive/verify deliveries. Ensure critical reagents are always available.
• Safety and Compliance: Act as the primary point of contact for lab safety while working with a Lab Safety Contractor as needed. Ensure the lab operates in compliance with all relevant safety regulations (e.g., chemical storage, waste disposal, biosafety). Manage lab safety and waste disposal vendors. Maintain necessary safety data sheets (SDS) and train new staff on safety protocols.
• Nominal Bench Support for Research Staff: Provide technical support and assistance to research scientists, which includes preparing buffers, media, and performing basic laboratory techniques such as cell line maintenance, mycoplasma testing, reagent lot testing, test article aliquoting, and similar tasks. This is roughly estimated to account <20% of the workload.

Required Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field.
• Lab Management Experience: Previous experience supporting or leading lab operations for a research or clinical laboratory.
• Laboratory Skills: Demonstrated hands-on experience in a research or clinical laboratory setting, including proficiency with standard lab equipment and techniques, particularly a high level of pipetting experience and sterile technique (BL2).
• Organizational Acumen: A proven, high level of organization and attention to detail is mandatory, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and implement systematic processes.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with scientists, vendors, and management.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience with hands-on laboratory work in a small company or start-up environment strongly preferred.
• Experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, &/or cell biology techniques preferred.
• Familiarity with inventory management software and electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems preferred.