Research Operations Manager

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Research Operations Manager to join the Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility. You will lead facility operations, ensure GMP compliance, oversee equipment lifecycle, and coordinate with vendors and internal teams to keep manufacturing on schedule.

You will supervise four staff, manage calibrations, preventive maintenance, and capital projects, while training teammates to build internal capability and ensure uninterrupted product supply

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of general research experience.
• Experience with GMP manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of metrology, calibration and preventative maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee facility operations and environmental controls (ISO 7/GMP).
• Coordinate with UNC Real Estate/Facilities to schedule maintenance and repairs.
• Manage equipment lifecycle, calibrations, preventative maintenance, and replacements.

Skills

MS Office

GMP knowledge

Metrology

HVAC

IQ/OQ/PQ

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Information

• Department: Lineberger Compr Cancer Center-426801
• Career Area: Facilities and Skilled Trades
• Posting Open Date: 08/26/2026
• Application Deadline: 09/09/2026
• Open Until Filled: No
• Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
• Working Title: Research Operations Manager
• Appointment Type: EHRA Non-Faculty
• Position Number: 20044154
• Vacancy ID: NF0009982
• Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent
• FTE: 1
• Hours per week: 40
• Position Location: North Carolina, US
• Hiring Range: Dependent on education/experience
• Proposed Start Date: 09/14/2026

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Cap­h­il­l offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.

Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary

UNC's Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility is looking for a qualified Research Operations Manager to join their team to support the work of developing and producing human cellular therapy products for patients receiving adoptive cell therapy for the treatment of cancer. The Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility manufactures human cellular therapy products under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Research Operations Manager role supports the operation of the 31,542 sq ft, two floor manufacturing facility that includes 14 ISO 7 cleanrooms totaling roughly 17,500 sq ft. This role maintains continuous oversight of temperature, humidity, and room pressures to ensure all spaces remain within ISO 7 GMP specifications, providing 24/7 monitoring and rapid response to any environmental excursions that could jeopardize room accessibility, product integrity, or human patient treatments. This role serves as a key liaison with UNC Real Estate and Development Facilities to coordinate building maintenance, repairs, and construction activities, ensuring work is scheduled without disrupting manufacturing operations. The Research Operations Manager must be knowledgeable in HVAC and building systems to guide third party service providers, operate the Building Electronic Management System, and communicate alarms or troubleshooting needs. They work closely with manufacturing and quality teams to enforce room requirements, document impacts, and segregate affected areas when necessary. The role also includes investigating and resolving building issues with vendors, managing capital projects related to facility systems and equipment, tracking equipment lifecycles, planning replacements, and evaluating new equipment purchases. Additionally, the Facility Manager trains and mentors other team members, building internal capability for equipment maintenance and calibration to reduce reliance on external providers. They will be responsible for the equipment lifecycle from onboarding, calibration, preventative maintenance, and decommissioning.

The Research Operations Manager role requires a person who understands Installation, Operational, and Process Qualification activities that must occur during the implementation of equipment used onsite, how those activities can impact the manufacturing process, and all related safety compliance measures. The role will be required to interact with vendors on a daily basis scheduling activities, reviewing technical reports for acceptance, managing supply logistics, and ensuring equipment is maintained on a schedule to complete all calibrations and preventative maintenance. This role is responsible for responding to equipment issues and facility problems, investigating root causes, developing a corrective action plan, having it approved, and putting it into place, while also supporting space planning to ensure operational continuity.

This role needs to understand purchasing systems at the university as they will submit for purchase orders and quotes to have work performed at the facility. They will oversee any building work and ensure work is completed per quotes. The person must be able to work independently with little oversight and multi-task a number of ongoing activities. Additionally, the role must respond to equipment/ facility issues quickly to have them resolved so as to not impact products for a patient.

This role will oversee 4 staff members as they execute qualification activities, manage equipment, and support external vendors. This role will plan and schedule their work accordingly as well as develop and educate them.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree and two years of general research experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices and how they are utilized in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of metrology, calibration and preventative maintenance of equipment
• Knowledge of HVAC systems for GMP cleanrooms
• Knowledge around the Installation, Operation, and Process Qualification process for equipment and systems.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Five years' experience working and supporting a GMP manufacturing facility as a Metrology or HVAC Technician.
• Five years of leadership experience working and developing other employees.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Quick Link

https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/324480

Posting Contact Information

• Department Contact Name and Title: Vanessa Perry, Human Resources Consultant
• Department Contact Telephone or Email: [e-mail]
• Office of Human Resources Contact Information: If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail] Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.