Lab manager

Job Details

We are seeking a proactive Lab Manager to oversee the daily operations of our laboratories. This role is pivotal in ensuring our laboratories run efficiently, enabling our multidisciplinary teams to focus on cutting-edge science. The successful candidate will coordinate lab support staff, manage resources and equipment, and play a key role in lab operations.

The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and have exceptional organisation skills. In return, the successful candidate will be embedded within a dynamic, sociable team with flexible working hours. This position will be based at our brand new, custom designed facilities at the Moubray Building in the Edinburgh Technopole business park where there are regular bus links to the city centre, free on-site parking, multiple nature trails, and an on-site cafe – the perfect setting to meet colleagues over a coffee in view of the Pentland Hills.

Key responsibilities

The candidate will :

• Oversee the daily management and smooth running of laboratories across the company, acting as the main point of contact for all day-to-day issues such as equipment repairs and stock management.
• Line-manage lab support personnel who are responsible for critical lab operations tasks such as preparation of media and agar plates, stocking the labs with consumables, sterilisation of lab equipment and dealing with waste streams.
• Work closely with the Health & Safety and Quality Managers to ensure laboratory compliance.
• Ensure maintenance of essential laboratory reagents, consumables and critical supplies.
• Assist with procurement for laboratory operations.
• Organise the weekly cleaning rota, ensuring all tasks are completed.
• Organise and audit regular laboratory deep cleans.
• Maintain key freezer databases and temperature monitoring systems
• Manage laboratory equipment maintenance, calibration and servicing schedules.
• Chair weekly lab operations meeting as well as recording and distributing minutes.
• Support onboarding and training of new staff in lab operations protocols and safe working practices.
• Coordinate waste disposal procedures in line with environmental standards.
• Liaise with facilities management and external contractors as required.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and sustainability.
• Participate in audits and inspections related to quality, H&S and regulatory compliance.

Essential skills:

• Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to proactively and independently solve problems.
• The candidate must be able to multitask, have excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
• Previous line management experience.

Other desirable skills include:

• Degree (BSc or equivalent) in a life sciences or chemical discipline.
• Experience managing scientific laboratories in a CRO/CDMO, academic or industrial setting.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety regulations, risk assessments and COSHH requirements.
• Experience of working under a Quality Management System (SOP’s, RA’s etc).

Additional Information

Position: Laboratory Manager
Closing date: Friday the 6^{th of} June, 2025
Location: Roslin, Midlothian
Hours: Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week
Work pattern: Days
Duration: Permanent
Pension: Available
Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience + inclusion in profit sharing scheme, health expenses cover, life insurance and employee benefits and rewards platform with access to range of deals and discounts