OPS Lab Technician / Lab Manager

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 27,552 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida'S CASBR is seeking a bench scientist and center operations leader to manage day-to-day workflows from sample intake to delivered data. You will balance hands-on science with center leadership, ensuring smooth operation and timely results for collaborative research projects.

The role combines tissue prep, data analysis, and team coordination, offering growth in leadership, method optimization, and QC within a cutting-edge imaging laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related scientific field.
• Master's degree in a related field is preferred.
• Hands-on mass spectrometry experience and familiarity with MSI are expected.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day operations of the Center, ensuring projects move from intake to delivered data.
• Coordinate technician workflow, balance throughput and deadlines.
• Drive method optimization and troubleshooting to improve data quality and reproducibility.
• Establish QC and safety practices and keep the lab audit-ready.

Skills

Mass spectrometry experience

Data analysis

Project coordination

Supervising technical staff

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or related field

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

Bruker timsTOF flex

HTX sprayers

SciLS

Metaboscape

Job description

At the University of Florida, we are a people of purpose. We're committed to challenging convention and ourselves. We see things not as they are, but as they could be. And we strive for a greater impact: one measured in people helped...

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related scientific field.

Job Description:

The Center for Applied Spatial Biology Research (CASBR) prepares and analyzes samples for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), a technique that overlays spatial location onto mass spectra to reveal where molecules live inside tissue. That capability is opening new windows into cancer biology, neurodegenerative disease, and developmental biology for research teams across the university.

We're looking for one person to be both a bench scientist and the operational leader who keeps the center running. If you want to master cutting-edge instrumentation and own how a collaborative research center works, this is a rare chance to do both. Develop elite technical expertise and build real leadership experience while owning your work and using cutting-edge science in this unique dual-faceted role.

The Day-to-Day Work

This role is split roughly half hands-on science and half running the center:

• At the Bench: Section tissue on a cryostat, prep samples (enzyme digestion/matrix application via HTX sprayers), load and monitor Bruker timsTOF flex runs, and analyze data in SciLS, packing results in Metaboscape so collaborators can make use of them.
• Running the Center: Direct sample workflow end to end, prioritize across projects and technicians, serve as the primary liaison with collaborators, support QC and reagent prep, maintain a clean and compliant lab, and help coordinate project billing.

Key Responsibilities

• Ownership of day-to-day operations of the Center, ensuring that every project moves predictably from sample intake to delivered data packet.
• Coordination of the technician team's workflow, assigning and prioritizing work to balance throughput, quality, and competing collaborator deadlines.
• Drive method optimization and troubleshooting that measurably improves data quality, turnaround, or reproducibility.
• Establish and help enforce dependable QC and safety practices that keep results reliable and the lab audit-ready.

$20-25 per hour, commensurate with education and experience

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related scientific field

Preferred:

The ideal candidate will have:

• A master's degree in a related field
• Hands-on experience with mass spectrometry, MSI, proteomics, metabolomics, or related analytical techniques
• Cryosectioning, tissue prep, or histology experience
• Familiarity with Bruker instrumentation, SciLS, Metaboscape, or similar platforms
• Demonstrated success in juggling multiple projects and competing priorities in a collaborative setting
• Experience supervising, coordinating, or directing technical staff
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Curiosity, rigor, and reliability are top qualities in the ideal candidate.