QMEL Manager

University of New Hampshire; United States; On-site; USD 44,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of New Hampshire's Quantitative Marine Ecology Lab (QMEL) invites applications for a Lab Manager to oversee daily operations and coordinate research projects. The role provides administrative and technical support to a team of graduate students, undergraduates, and collaborators, with growth opportunities across marine ecology and data science.

Qualifications include a biology/ecology-related degree, strong organization and communication skills, and experience in a research

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science or related field.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing or working in a research lab or field environment.
• Proficiency with data management tools (Excel, Google Drive, R or Python preferred).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate logistics for ongoing fieldwork, including permits, equipment prep and data collection.
• Oversee and maintain laboratory equipment and computing resources.
• Support data management, cleaning, and archiving of large ecological datasets.
• Contribute to lab SOPs, safety guidelines, and protocols.
• Assist with coding and analyses (R and/or Python).
• Manage day-to-day lab operations, purchasing, inventory and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Organize and run weekly lab meetings and track project progress.
• Mentor new students and coordinate collaborations.
• Assist with grant reporting and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Google Drive

R

Python

Job description

The Quantitative Marine Ecology Lab (QMEL), led by Dr. Easton White, is seeking a highly organized and motivated Lab Manager to oversee daily operations, coordinate research projects, and provide administrative and technical support to a dynamic team of graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and collaborators. The Lab Manager will play a central role in ensuring the success of research initiatives in marine ecology, data science, and environmental monitoring. This is a full-time position with opportunities for professional growth, collaboration across multiple research projects, and contributions to cutting-edge ecological science.

Duties/Responsibilities

Research and Technical Support

• Coordinate logistics for ongoing fieldwork (e.g., oyster farms, salt marshes, coastal sampling) including permitting, equipment preparation, and data collection.
• Oversee and maintain laboratory equipment, field gear, and computing resources.
• Support data management, cleaning, and archiving of large ecological datasets.
• Contribute to development of lab protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety guidelines.
• Assist with coding, statistical analyses, and reproducible workflows (primarily in R).

Lab Operations and Coordination

• Manage day-to-day operations of QMEL, including purchasing, inventory, and scheduling.
• Maintain compliance with university safety standards, IACUC/IRB protocols, and other regulatory requirements.
• Organize and run weekly lab meetings, track action items and project progress.
• Serve as primary point of contact for internal and external collaborators.
• Help onboard and mentor new students, ensuring alignment with lab culture and research practices.

Administrative and Grant Support

• Track lab budgets, expenditures, and reimbursements.
• Assist with grant reporting, including assembling progress reports, metrics, and supporting documentation.
• Support manuscript preparation (e.g., formatting references, figures, and supplementary materials).
• Coordinate outreach and science communication activities, including website updates and social media.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience: Required

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing or working in a research lab or field environment.
• Proficiency with data management tools (Excel, Google Drive, R or Python preferred).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in ecology, biology, environmental data science, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative methods, coding (R, Python), or GIS.
• Familiarity with ecological fieldwork in marine/coastal systems.
• Prior experience with grant management, project coordination, or supervising students.
• Comfort with outreach, science communication, and/or website management.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Compensation Pay Range

$43,710.00 - $77,920.00

Location

Durham