Manager, NGS Lab

Predicine; Hayward, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Predicine seeks an experienced Manager/Senior Manager, NGS Lab to lead day-to-day wet-lab operations, staff development, and cross-functional collaboration. You will oversee sample prep, sequencing, QC, and overall lab performance across multiple NGS assays, ensuring timely, compliant execution.

The role requires strong NGS technical expertise, people leadership, and operational management to scale laboratory operations and maintain audit readiness onsite in Hayward, CA.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of relevant molecular biology/NGS laboratory experience with leadership.
• Experience in CLIA/CAP-regulated molecular diagnostics or NGS labs is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NGS workflows and QC processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily wet-lab operations, including sample accessioning, nucleic acid extraction, library prep, sequencing and QC.
• Manage scheduling, staffing, batching, equipment, and priorities to meet timelines and throughput targets.
• Coach, train, and develop staff; ensure proper staffing, competency, and workload distribution.
• Monitor performance metrics, investigate deviations, support CAPA and reprocessing decisions.
• Ensure SOPs, quality requirements, GLP and regulatory readiness; support audits and inspections.
• Provide technical leadership and troubleshoot NGS workflows, reagents, and processes.
• Drive continuous improvement and transfer new assays from R&D to operations.

Skills

NGS workflows

Laboratory management

Troubleshooting

Multitasking in fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or PhD

Tools

Illumina NovaSeq

LIMS/BioLIMS

Laboratory automation

CAPA

Job description

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Manager, NGS Lab

Full Time Hayward, CA, US

8 days ago Requisition ID: 1102

Job Summary:

Predicine is seeking an experienced Lab Manager / Senior Manager, NGS Laboratory Operations to lead day-to-day wet laboratory operations and support the continued growth of our NGS programs. This role manages laboratory personnel, workflows, scheduling, quality, productivity, and operational performance across multiple NGS assays and projects. The ideal candidate combines strong NGS technical expertise, people leadership, and operational management skills to ensure high-quality, efficient, and timely laboratory execution — from sample accessioning and library preparation through sequencing and QC — while partnering cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Bioinformatics, Clinical/Project Management, and Supply Chain to keep laboratory operations scalable, compliant, and audit-ready.

Key Responsibilities & Time Allocation

% of Time

Responsibility

30% Daily Lab Operations Management — Lead daily wet-lab operations, including sample accessioning, sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, target enrichment, sequencing, and QC; manage scheduling, staffing, batching, equipment, and priorities to meet project timelines and TAT requirements.

20% People Leadership & Staff Development — Manage, coach, train, and develop laboratory staff; ensure appropriate staffing, training, competency, and workload distribution.

15% Performance Monitoring & Quality Investigation — Monitor laboratory performance (throughput, TAT, QC failure rates, repeat/reprocessing rates, productivity, equipment utilization); review QC results and investigate sample failures, operational errors, and deviations; support root-cause analysis, CAPA, and reprocessing decisions.

10% Compliance & Regulatory Readiness — Ensure laboratory activities follow approved SOPs, quality requirements, Good Laboratory Practices, and applicable regulatory standards; maintain laboratory readiness for internal audits, client audits, and regulatory inspections.

10% Technical Leadership & Troubleshooting — Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting for NGS workflows, equipment, reagents, and laboratory processes.

10% Continuous Improvement & Assay Transfer — Drive continuous improvement in laboratory quality, efficiency, capacity, automation, and scalability; support implementation and transfer of new assays and workflows from R&D into routine laboratory operations.

5% Cross-Functional Partnership & Risk Communication — Partner with Quality, R&D, Bioinformatics, Clinical/Project Management, Automation, BioLIMS/LIMS, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams; identify operational risks, resource needs, and capacity constraints and communicate them to leadership.

Education

Minimum

Preferred

Level Bachelor's degree Master's degree or PhD

Field of Study Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related field Same fields

Experience

Minimum

Preferred

Work Experience 5+ years of relevant molecular biology/NGS laboratory experience (additional experience expected for the Senior Manager level); demonstrated laboratory leadership or people-management experience Experience in a CLIA/CAP-regulated molecular diagnostics or NGS laboratory

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of NGS workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and QC
• Experience managing laboratory workflow, staffing, priorities, and turnaround time in a production, clinical, diagnostic, CRO, or high-throughput laboratory environment
• Strong troubleshooting, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with liquid biopsy, plasma/cfDNA, tissue/FFPE, RNA, MRD, WES/WGS, or oncology NGS workflows
• Experience with Illumina NovaSeq X/X Plus or other high-throughput sequencing platforms
• Experience with laboratory automation, liquid handlers, and LIMS/BioLIMS
• Experience with assay validation, technology transfer, CAPA, audits, and regulatory inspections
• Demonstrated experience scaling laboratory operations and improving workflow efficiency

Additional Notes

• The position may be filled at either the Lab Manager or Senior Manager level, depending on the candidate's experience, technical expertise, leadership scope, and demonstrated ability to manage complex NGS laboratory operations
• This is primarily an onsite laboratory leadership position and may require schedule flexibility to support operational needs

Join Us

At Predicine, you won't just manage a lab — you'll lead the operational engine behind cancer diagnostics that clinicians and patients depend on. If you're a hands-on leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and ensuring every sample tells an accurate story, we want to hear from you.

Predicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.