Senior Research Laboratory Coordinator

University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Georgia in Athens seeks a Senior Research Laboratory Coordinator to provide high-level leadership for interdisciplinary fungal biology laboratories jointly supported by Microbiology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. The role oversees shared facilities, safety, budgeting, and inventory while supporting multiple principal investigators, researchers, and students.

The successful candidate will develop operating procedures, train staff, and troubleshoot experimental methods,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced technical expertise in fungal cultivation, molecular techniques, genomics, and related methodologies.
• Coordinate onboarding, technical training, and continuing education for laboratory personnel.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory procedures, protocols, and best practices for multiple labs.
• Manage laboratory resources, equipment, space utilization, and specialized culture collections.
• Monitor lab workflows and troubleshoot operational issues to minimize disruptions to research activities.

Skills

Fungal biology

Laboratory operations

Budgeting & purchasing

Training & mentoring

Communication & data management

Safety & compliance

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Number S16026P

Working Title Senior Research Laboratory Coordinator

Department Franklin-Microbiology

About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full‑time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of the University of Georgia's learning environment, advancing new knowledge, research, scholarship and creative output by faculty, students, and staff in more than 80-degree programs across 40+ units.

College/Unit/Department website https://franklin.uga.edu

Posting Type External

Retirement Plan TRS or ORP

Employment Type Employee

Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time Full Time

Work Schedule

Additional Schedule Information M-F, 8am-5pm; Evening or weekend work may be required

Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience

Posting Date 11/05/2026

Open until filled No

Closing Date 11/11/2026

Proposed Starting Date 12/07/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Location of Vacancy Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR [e-mail].

USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title Lab Coord-Life Science III

FLSA Exempt

FTE 1.0

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

Position Summary

The Senior Research Laboratory Coordinator provides high-level scientific, operational, and technical leadership for interdisciplinary fungal biology research laboratories jointly supported by the Departments of Microbiology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Serving as the primary administrator and technical expert for shared laboratory facilities, this position is responsible for managing complex research operations, coordinating specialized instrumentation and laboratory resources, and ensuring the effective utilization of shared research infrastructure that supports multiple principal investigators, research personnel, and trainees.

The Senior Research Laboratory Coordinator oversees laboratory compliance, safety programs, equipment acquisition and maintenance, budget monitoring, inventory management, and research support activities involving fungal genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genomics, and related disciplines. The position independently develops and implements laboratory operating procedures, provides advanced technical consultation and training to faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students, and serves as a key resource in troubleshooting experimental methods and laboratory systems.

Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Senior Research Laboratory Coordinator facilitates collaboration across research groups, evaluates and implements new technologies and laboratory processes, and contributes to the development of research infrastructure that advances the department's strategic research objectives. This position plays a critical leadership role in maintaining a safe, compliant, efficient, and innovative research environment that supports externally funded research programs and promotes excellence in fungal biology research and education.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of fungal biology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, shared research facilities, instrumentation, safety, compliance, and sponsored research environments.
• Laboratory management and advanced scientific techniques.
• Equipment operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Project management, budgeting, purchasing, and inventory control.
• Training, mentoring, and developing laboratory personnel.
• Written and verbal communication, documentation, and data management.
• Independently manage complex shared research laboratories and resources.
• Develop and implement laboratory policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Prioritize competing demands and support multiple research programs.
• Analyze problems, recommend solutions, and implement process improvements.
• Build collaborative relationships across departments and research teams.

Physical Demands

Sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling; spending long periods of time at a computer. Working in lab environment

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

No

Is this a Position of Trust?

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

No

Does this position have P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)

Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Research Duties

• Provide advanced technical expertise in fungal cultivation, strain maintenance, molecular techniques, microscopy, genomics, proteomics, and other specialized methodologies relevant to fungal biology research.
• Assist with the design, optimization, and implementation of experimental protocols and research methodologies.
• Perform and oversee complex laboratory procedures, data collection, and quality control measures to ensure research integrity and reproducibility.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, equipment, and techniques and recommend implementation to enhance research capabilities.

Percentage of time 60

Research Operations and Laboratory Management

• Coordinate and oversee daily operations of multiple fungal biology research laboratories, ensuring research activities are conducted efficiently, safely, and in compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory procedures, protocols, and best practices to support complex research programs focused on fungal genetics, physiology, molecular biology, ecology, and host‑pathogen interactions.
• Manage laboratory resources, equipment, space utilization, and specialized fungal culture collections to support the research needs of multiple principal investigators and research teams.
• Monitor laboratory workflows and troubleshoot operational issues to minimize disruptions to research activities.

Percentage of time 20

Personnel Supervision and Training

• Provide functional supervision and mentorship to research staff, laboratory technicians, graduate students and undergraduate student assistants.
• Coordinate onboarding, technical training, and continuing education for laboratory personnel.
• Assess staff performance, establish work priorities and support professional development activities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and productive research environment across shared laboratory facilities.

Percentage of time 10

Communicating with supervisor regularly and in a timely fashion with regarding research and laboratories

Percentage of time 5

Other duties as assigned

Percentage of time 5