Laboratory Manager

General Summary/Purpose

The Laboratory Manager will provide supervision and technical assistance to research study staff on all aspects of study operations, including recruitment and intervention implementation, data collection, data management, and analysis with a high level of independence and minimal supervision. He/she will manage large basic science laboratory that uses animal models of neuropathic pain, cancer pain and spinal cord injury.He/she will helpmaintaining animal colonies, equipment in an operational state, setup and maintenance of surgical workstations with monitoring equipment, coordinating schedule of experiments, supervising technical personnel, and training new personnel on experimental procedures and regulations.

Scientific responsibilities include performingcomplex and routine experiments, develops and implements assays, protocols and operating procedures. Specifically, these include performingexperimental procedures on animals (rodent), performing biochemical assays, processing tissue for histopathology, and performing image analysis. Also assist in analysis of physiological data, generation of graphs, and statistical analysis. Uses independent judgement for making decisions on the execution of experimental protocols and on operation of laboratories and troubleshoots technical problems.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the overall operation of large laboratory and core facilities used by PI and PI’s collaborators. Includes maintaining operation of surgical workstations, anesthesia machines, ventilators, and physiological monitoring equipment. Also includes core histology equipment such as microtomes, cryostat, microscopes, and imaging systems, etc.
• Work as an integral member of a team of scientists focused on neuroscience, cancer biology, pain and nerve injury. Contribute intellectually to design of diverse physiological experiments. Work with investigators in developing new surgical animal models for complex physiological experiments and performing literature searches. Provide advice on how to refine experimental procedures related to studies on animals. Oversee data compilation and create and refine spreadsheet templates. Assist in performing data analysis, basic statistical operations, and creating graphs
• Supervises, orients, trains, and develops staff of assigned laboratories. Train laboratory staff on how to utilize animal models and to perform animal surgery, physiological monitoring, and data collection on them. Assure quality assurance in the performance of surgical and experimental procedures. Set up new biochemical assays and help train personnel in performing these assays. Update computers with new software.
• Plans, coordinates staffing patterns to effectively and efficiently support the department. Insures training and compliance of anyone working in the laboratory. Participates in the specification, design, implementation, and modification of projects related to assigned labs. Prepares test plan data to ensure quality and integrity. Oversees and participates in study record management and data collection. Assist with preparation of technical reports, manuscripts, abstracts, invention disclosures, presentations, and funding applications. Performs complex and routine testing; following both established and new protocols.
• Manage expenditures of sponsored and non-sponsored accounts. Have fiscal responsibility for particular budgets for core laboratory functions
• Responsible for compliance and audit preparation of assigned laboratory area for ACUC, IRB, Coordinates and maintains all regulatory binders, logs and audits. Responsible for biosafety compliance for multiple research laboratories.
• Coordinate efficient use of laboratory space and sharing of equipment among the personnel by arranging bench space, surgical space, computer workstations, and desk space in accordance with changes in staffing and laboratory needs.Operation, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment related to this specialty.
• Order supplies using SAP. Maintain laboratory in good order, stocks of core supplies used in common by multiple investigators.Ordering of supplies and acquisition of equipment and procurement of service contracts.Coordinate major equipment purchase and installation with vendor. Maintain and repair equipment when possible, or coordinate external servicing of equipment.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and log usage of controlled drug substances. Coordinate shipping of animals; oversee that mouse colonies are being properly managed by staff.
• Ensure that packaging of biological specimens for overnight shipping is in accordance with federal rules and regulations. Order radioactive materials; assure handling, disposal and safety procedures are in accordance with regulations; assure that inventory logs are kept accurately by staff.
• Support and training for staff, students, residents and others. Serve as a resource for investigators and collaborators. Organize, and lead assigned meetings. Attendance in meetings (including national), as required.
• Point-of-contact in Emergency Preparedness Plan for all departmental research labs. In case of disaster, responsible for assuring that laboratory animals continue to receive proper care and treatment, that biological samples are kept frozen and safe, and that equipment is kept secure. Respond to calls from security and facilities management concerning power outages, plumbing and sewage problems, and alarms on freezers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, neuroscience, pharmacology or related field.
• 5 years related laboratory experience.
• Proven technical knowledge and laboratory experience.
• Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in working with experimental animal models
• Experience using animal behavioral testing techniques related to pain, cancer research, addiction, cell culture, western blot, real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry, Ca2+ imaging and other cell imaging techniques.
• Master's degree, with related graduate research

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High level of organizational skills. Experience in managing laboratory research projects and supervising personnel.
• Knowledge of physiology, neuroscience, pain or cancer biology. Experience with standard laboratory practices, animal anesthesia, surgery and postoperative care procedures, and animal care and use regulations.
• Knowledge of biosafety, radioactive materials, and controlled substance regulations.
• Ability to operate and maintain laboratory equipment in a specialty lab.
• Computer competency is required. Strong analytical background is highly desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and training skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work with many different faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians.
• Ability to make independent judgments and to act on decisions on a regular basis.
• Ability to work on own initiative and with limited direction. Ability to prioritize own work and to multi-task.
• Ability to use SAP for ordering and managing expenditures.
• Experience coordinating, conducting and managing studies.
• Supervise laboratory professionals such as Laboratory Technologists/Technicians.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods. Occasionally required to traverse throughout the laboratory or to retrieve equipment, supplies, or specimens from other locations on campus. The employee is required to operate computer keyboard, laboratory instruments, and small laboratory tools such as pipettes, cutting instruments, glass tubes, dishes, and/or slides. Constantly repositions self to perform duties at laboratory work stations, gathering specimens, and loading equipment.
• Prolonged vision requirements including viewing computer screen, paper reports/documents, charts and results. Visual acuity is required to distinguish fine gradation of color or structure and closely examine specimens (including via a microscope).
• Laboratory environment - Exposure to toxins and infectious agents exist, but potential for personal injury or harm is minimized if established safety and health precautions are followed. Must refer to and are expected to comply with procedure manuals, follow proper laboratory protocols and safety policy/procedures, and be familiar with material data safety sheets in assigned work areas. Able to read and understand all Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) guidelines applicable to assigned work area. Working in laboratory where there may be discomforts due to odors, noise, temperature fluctuations, and working around lab equipment. Research areas may include animal, human, human products, DNA, and radiation protocols. Use of personal protective equipment may be advised or required.
• May transport equipment and supplies usually less than 40 pounds from one area to another (in the laboratory or on campus (EX: paper supply box, laboratory equipment, animal feed). May be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with proper training, or precautions/lifting aides (example: supply boxes or Formalin cubes). In some areas work space is limited.
• Staff may be required to complete annual competency review, and must insure compliance with Johns Hopkins Policy, Laboratory Policy & Procedure, Health, Safety & Environment regulations, and all applicable privacy & confidentiality laws/practices.
• Many department laboratories operate 24/7 with schedules on day, evening, or night shift. Rotating schedules which may include weekend work and holiday assignment. (Overtime possible when authorized/needed to meet business and patient needs).

Classified Title:Laboratory Manager
Working Title: Laboratory Manager ​​​​​
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MD
Starting Salary Range:$52,495-$72,210; commensurate with experience
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, 37.5 hours/week
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: 04-MD:School of Medicine Campus
Department name: 10002717-SOM Ane Research
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office atjhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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