Senior Manager, Research Laboratory Operations

BioSpace; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 136,000 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

Jazz Pharmaceuticals in Durham, NC seeks a Senior Manager, Research Laboratory Operations to lead the on-site facility and partner on key drug discovery projects. Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, Oncology, this role blends operations leadership with hands-on scientific contribution to advance the pipeline.

The ideal candidate will manage daily lab operations, ensure safety and compliance, oversee equipment and budget, and contribute to assay development, cell culture, data

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Oncology, or related field.
• Proven track record leading a research lab in pharma/biotech.
• Hands-on screening platforms and biochemical assays experience required.
• Background in oncology research preferred but not required.
• Strong organizational and communication skills in a matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee Durham research lab operations and safety.
• Manage equipment, procurement, calibration, and inventory.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and biosafety guidelines.
• Oversee budget, vendor management, and spend tracking.
• Collaborate with facilities, EH&S, procurement, and R&D project teams.
• Contribute to in vitro pipeline work focusing on assays and screening.
• Support cell culture work, mechanism studies, and biomarker analyses.
• Document protocols and data in ELN; communicate findings internally.
• Present data and support manuscripts or conference abstracts.

Skills

Lab leadership

Screening platforms

Biochemical assays

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific communication

Education

MS or PhD in biology/biochemistry/oncology

Job description

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases — often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines, including leading therapies for sleep disorders and epilepsy, and a growing portfolio of cancer treatments. Our patient-focused and science-driven approach powers pioneering research and development advancements across our robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics in oncology and neuroscience. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with research and development laboratories, manufacturing facilities and employees in multiple countries committed to serving patients worldwide. Please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com for more information.

Brief Description

We are seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and motivated Senior Manager, Research Laboratory Operations to lead our research laboratory in Durham, NC, and actively participate as a hands‑on scientific partner on key research projects. Reporting directly to the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Oncology, this dual-function role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth, safe, and compliant daily operation of our research facility while directly contributing scientific expertise to advance our pipeline.

The ideal candidate will seamlessly blend strong laboratory operations leadership with a solid background in drug discovery, specifically offering hands‑on experience in screening methodologies, biochemical assays, and cell culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Research Laboratory Operations & Management (approx. 60%)
• Laboratory Management: Oversee the daily operations of the Durham research lab, maintaining an efficient, highly organized, safe, and fully functional environment for the scientific team.
• Equipment & Inventory: Manage the procurement, maintenance, decontamination, calibration, and repair of all laboratory equipment (including biosafety cabinets, live cell imaging systems, liquid handlers, and other analytical instruments). Oversee inventory and supply chain for lab consumables, reagents, and specialized materials.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure all laboratory activities comply with institutional, local, state, and federal safety regulations (including OSHA and biosafety guidelines). Oversee lab safety protocols, hazardous waste disposal, and general laboratory hygiene.
• Budget & Vendor Management: Manage laboratory spending, assist in tracking the operational budget, process purchase approvals, and coordinate with external vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with facilities management, EH&S, procurement, and R&D project management to coordinate space planning, equipment utilization, and continuous operational improvements.
• Scientific Project Contribution (approx. 40%)
• Assay Development & Execution: Support ongoing pipeline programs by conducting hands‑on in vitro research, with a strong focus on screening platforms and biochemical assays.
• Experimental Support: Manage cell cultures of cancer and normal cell lines; execute mechanism of action, target validation, and biomarker studies for therapeutic candidates.
• Data & Documentation: Document and archive experimental protocols, raw data, analyses, and conclusions according to established laboratory procedures and electronic lab notebook (ELN) standards.
• Scientific Communication: Actively participate in the communication of research findings, presenting data in internal project team meetings, contributing to conference abstracts, and supporting the preparation of manuscripts for publication.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (Qualifications)

• Education: MS or PhD (or equivalent practical experience) in Biology, Biochemistry, Oncology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Industry Experience: Proven track record of successfully managing a research laboratory within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Technical Skills: Hands‑on experience running, troubleshooting, and supporting screening platforms and biochemical assays is highly preferred. Competency in mammalian cell culture and standard molecular biology techniques is required.
• Therapeutic Area: Previous background or experience in oncology research is preferred, but not required.
• Leadership & Organization: Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with a positive, hands‑on approach to the role. Demonstrated success working in a matrixed, cross‑functional environment.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Requires the ability to perform routine laboratory work, stand or sit at a biosafety cabinet or lab bench for extended periods, and utilize computer systems.
• May occasionally lift objects up to 25 pounds.
• This is a full‑time, laboratory‑based, on‑site role in our Durham, NC facility.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

FOR US BASED CANDIDATES ONLY

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices and we strive to provide employees with total compensation packages that are market competitive. For this role, the full and complete base pay range is: $136,000.00 - $204,000.00 Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, and other pertinent factors. The goal is to ensure fair and competitive compensation aligned with the candidate's expertise and contributions, within the established pay framework and our Total Compensation philosophy. Internal equity considerations will also influence individual base pay decisions. This range will be reviewed on a regular basis. At Jazz, your base pay is only one part of your total compensation package. The successful candidate may also be eligible for a discretionary annual cash bonus or incentive compensation (depending on the role), in accordance with the terms of the Company's Global Cash Bonus Plan or Incentive Compensation Plan, as well as discretionary equity grants in accordance with Jazz's Long Term Equity Incentive Plan. The successful candidate will also be eligible to participate in various benefits offerings, including, but not limited to, medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k retirement savings plan, and flexible paid vacation. For more information on our benefits offerings please click here: https://careers.jazzpharma.com/benefits.html.