Lab Manager - Chicago

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HHMI is focused on supporting and moving science forward in a variety of different ways ranging from conducting basic biomedical research, empowering educators, inspiring students, developing the next generation of scientists – even stretching into film and media production.  Our Headquarters is in the greater Washington, DC metro area and is home to over 300 employees with expertise in investments, communications, digital production, biomedical sciences, and everything in between.  The work housed here supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation.  As HHMI scientists continue to push boundaries in laboratories and classrooms, you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.

An exciting opportunity is available for a Laboratory Manager to join the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) laboratory of Dr. Jack W. Szostak at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. We are seeking a proactive, organized individual for a group studying the origins of life. In this position you can expect to collaborate with the Investigator as well as laboratory members, administrative personnel and others to implement and achieve scientific objectives. The position is full-time (40 hours/week). There is an opportunity for direct involvement in research.

In this role, the Laboratory Manager will supervise and perform technical and administrative tasks in a large laboratory, coordinate equipment maintenance, and insure adequate supplies for experimental needs. They will assist the Investigator in personnel management and manage lab safety programs to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. The manager will assist in laboratory space and facilities planning; make recommendations for changes; and maintain inventory of laboratory furniture, equipment, and supplies.

To learn more about what we do, please visit us at the Szostak Lab for a summary of the lab's activities.

To apply for this position, click on the link below. Please submit a cover letter Attn: Chia-Chia Lu, and three references, along with your resume/CV.

What we provide:

• A competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and welfare benefits
• The opportunity to learn new scientific approaches expand your knowledge and skills
• Hands-on training and mentorship

What you’ll do:

• Purchase and manage lab supply inventory
• Work closely with PI and researchers to identify short and long-term laboratory needs
• Equipment acquisition process, including: acquire quotes with negotiated pricing, write equipment justification statements
• Negotiate equipment service contracts
• Act as a liaison between service engineers and researchers for scheduling repair and preventative maintenance services
• Coordinate laboratory safety protocols to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations including chemical safety hygiene, radiation safety, and radioactivity permit applications/renewal
• Work with lab members and center faculty manager to optimize laboratory space usage

• Assist in grant management including pre-award and post-award
• Manage laboratory budgets and finance reports from different sponsors and entities
• Prepare and maintain collaborative, material and data transfer agreements across different institutions

• Work with program coordinator to apply and maintain visa status for all international scholars
• Work with program coordinator from Harvard University to ensure graduate students are on track with their program requirements
• Organize weekly laboratory meeting
• Arrange travel logistics for investigator, lab members and visiting scientists
• Maintain lab website and manage lab data archive database
• Coordinate lab social activities to promote a positive and collaborative work environment
• Coordinate equipment demo or special training sections for members when needed
• Advise Investigator of administrative issues, as well as short and long-term laboratory needs. Help identify possible solutions.
• Train/orient new lab members in accurate laboratory procedures and conduct; assist with enrolling in safety training programs.
• Act as a liaison between Investigator and various administrative offices at MGH and HHMI.
• Ensure available funds are effectively and appropriately utilized.
• Coordinate day-to-day lab operations including maintaining inventory of laboratory equipment, ensuring equipment is in good working order, and coordinating activities to evaluate new technologies.

What you bring:

• B.A. /B.S. in Chemistry. Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.) preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in laboratory research, including supervising or training others.
• Operational knowledge of NMR and Mass Spectrometry a plus.
• Knowledge of grant funding.
• Strong digital literacy, including proficiency in Word, Excel, electronic calendar software and Internet search tools. Proficiency with PowerPoint a plus.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and electronic).
• Detail oriented with ability to learn tasks independently within scope of responsibility.
• Must demonstrate excellent judgment and interpersonal skills working in a multifaceted, fast-paced environment.
• Flexible and able to respond well to changes in routine.
• Ability to supervise, update and maintain lab website a plus.
• Possess excellent time management and organizational skills; able to prioritize and balance multiple tasks or projects with competing deadlines.

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more. 

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer