Lab Research Manager
Job Summary
The Lab Manager is responsible for managing the research lab operations through organizing and delegating subordinate research associates and laboratory staff to support research projects. Manages administrative and laboratory procedures and activities, including contract and grants proposals, budget operations. Contributes to research projects including authorship, or co-authorship.
The Lab Manager oversees the scientific, technical, and operational functions of a multi-project, multi-PI wet laboratory focused on infectious diseases. Receives objectives from faculty leadership and exercises independent judgment to determine the methods, priorities, staffing, and resources needed to meet them. Achieves research objectives primarily through the coordinated work of research staff by planning workloads, setting priorities, establishing performance expectations, and ensuring accountability for quality, safety, and timelines across concurrent studies. Serves as technical authority for high-throughput molecular workflows including qPCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation, DNA extraction.
Leads the development, validation, and laboratory-wide implementation of experimental methods, workflows, and operational standards. Establishes consistent documentation, data integrity, and quality control practices using electronic laboratory notebooks (Benchling) and sample tracking systems (Sample DB); integrates routine performance monitoring and analytics into laboratory operations; and implements continuous improvements to enhance reproducibility, efficiency, and reliability.
The Lab Manager functions as the primary operational liaison among investigators, laboratory staff, collaborators, and institutional partners. Oversees the activities and staff of the laboratory including supervision of staff research associates, visiting scholars, and new laboratory trainees (e.g., postdoctoral fellows). Anticipates operational and technical risks, implements mitigation strategies within established policies, and recommends changes to laboratory procedures, systems, and infrastructure. Oversees shared laboratory space, equipment, and physical organization of the space; coordinates procurement and vendor relationships; and aligns operational plans, budgets, and timelines with program goals. Contributes to scientific deliverables, including protocols, reports, and presentations, and supports grant- and publication-aligned milestones.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. The salary range for this position is $98,300 - $210,300 (Annual Rate). To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html Department Description The Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at UCSF is an internationally recognized global leader in clinical care, research and education. With its home-base located at ZSFG, the Division has been ranked as the top facility in the country for AIDS care for over ten years. The Division's work is featured frequently in the media, and it is often visited by international, national, state and local dignitaries and delegations. The Division consists of approximately 36 faculty members and 140 academic and staff employees. It is the largest Division of the Department of Medicine at ZSFG, with a total expenditure budget of approximately $45 million dollars. Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences field
- Minimum 7 years of experience planning, executing, and troubleshooting complex molecular biology workflows, including qPCR, NGS library preparation, DNA isolation, and optimization for low-input or inhibitor-rich samples
- Minimum 5 years of supervisory or lead experience directing laboratory staff, setting priorities, assigning workloads, ensuring quality standards, and managing performance
- Experience (5+ years) integrating run-level quality control metrics (e.g., qPCR metric performance, fragment size analysis, library yield thresholds) into workflow decisions, performance monitoring, and go/no-go determinations
- Demonstrated experience (5+ years) developing, standardizing, and implementing laboratory SOPs, documentation standards, QC practices, and training programs to ensure reproducibility and compliance across staff and collaborators
- Experience (5+ years) translating research objectives and program goals into operational staffing plans, resource allocations, workflow sequencing, and laboratory timelines, supporting multiple investigators and multi-project laboratories
- Academic knowledge and skills dependent on area of specialty (laboratory research or instructional / experimental design). Advanced and highly specific knowledge and expertise associated with conducting and reporting on scientific research experiments and findings
- Advanced knowledge of necessary lab safety procedures and requirements, as well as chemical or biological disposal guidelines
- Advanced knowledge of a wide variety of specialized laboratory equipment
- Leadership skills in employee supervision and HR administration to effectively lead and motivate others. Conflict resolution skills to resolve personnel issues and counsel assigned staff to develop cooperative working relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a complex, challenging environment. Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility, anticipates and effectively handles change
- Ability to organize division operations in an efficient and effective manner through improving processes, procedures, and systems
- Advanced knowledge of research discipline or instructional design to collaborate effectively with faculty and function as a resource to research and instructional associates
- Proven analytical abilities and problem solving skills to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify options for resolution. Demonstrates sound judgement
- Advanced interpersonal communication skills to effectively supervise staff
- Advanced interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff
-
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in life sciences field
- Post-doctoral training in related area
- 10+ years experience in research, laboratory management, or multi-project operations in a research or clinical laboratory environment. Pref
- Experience (3+ years) designing and delivering staff training programs, skills assessments, and cross-training
- Experience coordinating multi-site or multi-institutional collaborations, including harmonizing metadata schemas, identifiers, documentation standards, and submission requirements
- Experience validating or implementing laboratory automation platforms (e.g., liquid-handling systems, automated NGS library prep instruments) and leading lab-wide adoption
- Experience participating in or preparing for regulatory inspections, biosafety audits, EH&S reviews, or compliance assessments, including documentation control and corrective action follow-through
- Basic scripting capability (R or Python) to summarize QC metrics, automate reporting, or support compatibility with downstream analysis pipelines
About UCSF The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells. Pride Values UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Job Code and Payroll Title 6826 LAB RSCH MGR 1 Job Category Supervisory / Management Bargaining Unit 99 - Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit) Location San Francisco, CA Additional Shift Details M-F; 8AM- 5PM; Flexible 4 Days Onsite |
University of California - San Francisco Campus and Health
Feb 26, 2026