Research Laboratory Operation Manager - 141985

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Job summary

UC San Diego's Ophthalmology department at the Shiley Eye Institute is seeking a Research Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee multiple basic science labs and ensure safety and compliance. The role manages daily activities, supervises staff, and coordinates with facilities on infrastructure needs.

Reporting to the Operations Director, you will standardize lab procedures, assist with grant writing, and support training across labs, including Daneman Lab.

Qualifications

• Nine (9) years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus five (5) years of related experience/training.
• Advanced knowledge of a wide variety of specialized laboratory equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of necessary lab safety procedures and requirements, as well as chemical disposal guidelines.
• Strong leadership and supervision capabilities for complex lab environments.
• Experience with tissue culture and laboratory assays (PCR, Western Blot, IHC).

Responsibilities

• Oversee management of basic science research facilities within multiple labs.
• Serve as Lab Manager to the Research Director and the department’s largest laboratory.
• Act as primary safety officer ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
• Coordinate with Facilities Management on lab space changes and infrastructure needs.
• Provide technical training to students and postdoctoral fellows and supervise lab staff.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related area

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Advanced knowledge of specialized laboratory equipment

Job description

Payroll Title: LAB RSCH SUPV 2

Department: OPHTHALMOLOGY

Hiring Pay Scale: $98,150.00 - $147,800.00 / Yr.

Worksite: Shiley Eye Institute

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: Uncovered

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: 8 hrs/day, Monday-Friday

#141985 Research Laboratory Operation Manager

Filing Deadline: Mon 11/9/2026

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/28/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Institute, UC San Diego is the only academic eye center in the region offering the most advanced treatments across all areas of eye care. Our world class clinicians, surgeons, scientists and staff are dedicated to excellence, and providing the best possible patient care to prevent, treat and cure eye diseases.

Our research is at the forefront of developing new methods for diagnosis and treatments of eye diseases and disorders. In addition to educating the leaders of tomorrow, we are committed to serving the San Diego and global community.

Under general supervision of the Operations Director, the Research Laboratory Operations Manager will oversee the management of basic science research facilities within the Department of Ophthalmology, including the Viterbi, Jacobs, and Hamilton laboratory spaces. This role will serve as Lab Manager to the Research Director and the department's largest laboratory (the Daneman Lab), with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Principal Investigator of the Daneman Lab, who provides programmatic and scientific direction to the unit and to the Operations Manager. This role will act as primary safety officer for the department, responsible for compliance with UC San Diego safety regulations, and will ensure laboratory activities are performed in accordance with best practices, including instrument operation, general safety protocols, and results documentation.

Works with the Principal Investigator of the Daneman Lab to oversee daily activities and staff, including execution of research projects and provision of instructional support to lab personnel. Serves as supervisor for lab personnel within the Daneman Lab. Creates an inclusive and welcoming laboratory environment and cultivates a culture of continuous process improvement by recommending changes to department and laboratory policies and procedures.

Serves as a department-wide resource and training lead for incoming lab managers across all department laboratories (including Viterbi, Jacobs, and Hamilton), providing onboarding support, ongoing guidance, and serving on interview committees as needed. Develops and standardizes lab procedures and protocols and ensures appropriate documentation practices are maintained across labs. Assists with grant writing in support of the Daneman Lab and, as capacity allows other department labs. Communicates department-wide laboratory updates, including scheduled shutdowns and related operational notices.

Represents the department in laboratory inventory audits. Manages equipment purchasing for all labs within the department. Oversees placement and organization of equipment in shared spaces, including corridors and the freezer farm. Trains department personnel on the use of shared laboratory equipment. Coordinates with the logistics team on the receipt and setup of incoming equipment.

Serves as the department's laboratory safety officer, acting as the primary representative for all safety audits and inspections. Maintains oversight of departmental chemical inventory and ensures proper storage practices, including appropriate anchoring and containment, in accordance with UC San Diego safety standards.

Assists individual labs in coordinating with Facilities Management on laboratory space changes, modifications, and related infrastructure needs.

Provides technical training to doctoral students, M.D. and Ph.D. postdoctoral fellows, and laboratory technicians. Receives assignments in the form of objectives, with defined goals and latitude in determining the process for achieving them. Oversees the activities and staff of a laboratory, including supervision of research and instructional associates and laboratory support staff across a large, multi-lab environment. Supervises the development and execution of major or multidisciplinary research projects, as well as instructional and experimental design. Recommends changes to department policies and practices and identifies and responds to operational risks. Additional duties as assigned by department leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Nine (9) years of related experience, education/training, OR an Bachelor’s degree in related area plus five (5) years of related experience/training.
• Advanced knowledge of a wide variety of specialized laboratory equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of necessary lab safety procedures and requirements, as well as chemical disposal guidelines.
• Focus of knowledge and skills dependent on area of specialty (laboratory research or instructional / experimental design). Advanced and highly specific knowledge and expertise associated with conducting and reporting on scientific research experiments and findings.
• Solid leadership skills associated with planning work assignments, establishing priorities, scheduling instructional space, and ensuring completion of multiple projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff.
• Solid knowledge of data acquisition and analysis techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of research discipline or instructional design to collaborate effectively with faculty and function as a resource to research and instructional associates.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills to effectively supervise all levels of staff.
• Strong abilities to conduct and report on scientific experiments and findings.
• Proficiency with Medical Terminology.
• Knowledge of clinical research.
• Demonstrated ability to respond and adapt to new and changing situation.
• Experience with tissue culture and various laboratory assays (e.g., PCR, Western Blot, immunohistochemistry).
• Demonstrated ability to find original and effective solutions to problems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Healthcare professional experience.
• Knowledge of UC San Diego mission, policies and procedures.
• Demonstration of intellectual productivity through prior authorship or co-authorship in significant scientific publications.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $81,600 - $147,800 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $39.08 - $70.79

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

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