View Vacancy -- Laboratory Manager LMS - 2019

The MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences is a leading international research institute at the Hammersmith Campus of Imperial College London. It has a multidisciplinary approach and hosts outstanding experimental and computational programmes in basic and applied life sciences as well as in clinical research. The Institute aims to carry out pioneering research, train and mentor the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists, and facilitate translation from fundamental research findings towards better diagnosis and treatment. 

Overall purpose:

The post-holder will act as a Lab Manager and Research Assistant, providing support for developing new and ongoing projects within the group. The post-holder will oversee the general running of the lab and liaise with other groups and contractors to facilitate research.

Main Duties/ Key Responsibilities:

LAB MANAGER

You will manage the day-to-day running of the laboratory, undertaking any tasks required to facilitate the group’s research.

• To order consumables and reagents as required for the group, keep track of stock levels within the lab.
• Identify operational strengths and weaknesses as well as risks to the groups work, taking a proactive approach in enlisting the appropriate parties to deliver change and improve resilience whilst minimising risks to the group’s work.
• To enforce compliance to lab standards, policies and procedures as required.
• To drive best practice in the laboratory environment, within your group as well as amongst other users.
• Identify new technologies and apparatus that may be of benefit to the groups research, organising demonstrations and training by technical experts where required.
• To contribute to grant proposals, preparing cost breakdowns and justifications of resource as well as ethics and safety reviews to adequately reflect the group heads research vision.
• To prepare, review and monitor budgets, making revisions as and when any changes in the lab’s work occur.
• To develop an in depth understanding of Imperial College and MRC procedures and policies- where they align, where they clash and how to navigate problems most effectively to further the interests of the lab and wider fly facility.
• To be the Safety Supervisor of the group (e.g. arranging safety courses for new members, training new staff on health and safety policies/containment levels and ensuring a safe working environment).
• To take responsibility for Health & Safety trainings and inductions of new lab members, contractors and visitors.
• To take responsibility for Health & Safety documentation, record keeping and compliance  (e.g filling decontamination certificates, permit to work forms, risk assessments, maternity assessments and COSHH forms).
• To organise and manage the shipment of biological research materials from lab to lab, ensuring that appropriate safety measures are in place and that shipments are compliant with local customs regulations.To prepare project registration forms detailing GMO and biological agents as per College requirements.
• To establish and manage service contracts on any relevant equipment, writing service specifications for PPM and breakdown activities as required.
• To monitor the status of biological incubators and –80ºC freezers, as well as to be a contact person in case of fault or alarm. To communicate alarms to users, providing remote assistance to ensure experimental work is safeguarded.

ANIMAL WORK

• To manage mouse colonies: breeding and genotyping, accurate record keeping of both.
• To develop a working understanding of personal and project licence terms in order to comply with research governance standards.
• To generate Home Office returns documents and satisfy internal reporting requirements annually.
• To oversee the delivery of high value transgenic animal model generation projects, liasing with the suppliers, transgenics facility, group head and end user to ensure a mutually agreeable outcome.

RESEARCH SUPPORT / RESPONSIBILITIES OUTSIDE THE GROUP

• To participate in research group meetings and present results as required, and to attend internal/ external seminars at the Institute.
• To prepare reagents, solutions and media as required.
• To manage and organise the communal facilities with other Lab Managers.
• To organise floor users forum, to share knowledge, drive standards up and tackle common issues whilst boosting interaction with staff in professional services and encouraging collaboration.
• To communicate effectively with all groups on the floor by disseminating information about shared rooms and equipment.
• To represent the group at safety supervisor meetings and raise any concerns on their behalf.
• To co-ordinate and deliver public engagements events, representing the group, Institute and college in delivering insightful, interactive and audience appropriate information about our science and why it matters. ·
• To supervise student jobs within the communal lab area. ·
• To represent the group at safety supervisor meetings and raise any concerns on their behalf.
• Communicate with other stakeholders within the building regarding shared concerns and work collectively to tackle any challenges that arise.

Working relationships:  

• The post-holder will work closely with and be directly responsible to the Group Head.
• To understand and liaise with internal administrative functions such as Procurement, H&S, Estates, Security and Lab Services
• The post-holder will develop effective working relationships with the students and post-doctoral researchers.
• The post holder will work alongside the research office/grants administrator on funding applications and material transfer agreements as required.
• The lab manager must be able to build rapport quickly and cultivate working relationships with sales representatives and contractors in order to best serve the lab.
• The post-holder will be able manage relationships with external stakeholders working to resolve complaints and problems amicably, ensuring groups interests are protected and ongoing working relationships are not damaged.

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

Essential:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in an appropriate scientific subject (e.g. biology, biochemistry)

Previous work experience required:

Essential:

• Proven laboratory experience using a variety of biochemical and molecular biology techniques

Desirable:

• Lab management experience (e.g. maintaining databases, ordering, liaising with sales representatives and contractors for maintenance/repair of equipment, liaising with internal departments such as Procurement, H&S, Estates, Security and Lab Services)
• Organisation/planning of meetings or other relevant experience

Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• Ability to organise time effectively, prioritise and work to deadlines
• Ability to accurately document work, and to clearly write up technical reports and protocols
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Office)

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Capacity to work independently, as well as collaboratively with other group members
• Accurate record keeping and reporting of data
• Strong attention to detail and focus on high-quality work
• Evidence of efficient time management and multi-tasking
• Ability and willingness to acquire new skills

Desirable:

• Flexibility about working hours on occasion as required