Lab Manager

Date: Jun ‎15, ‎2022
Location: Saudi Arabia
Company: King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
Position Summary

The Center for Desert Agriculture in KAUST is seeking a dynamic and self-
motivated person to lead the CDA lab operations team. The position requires
insight into research operations and ability to work either independently or
collaboratively with affiliated principal investigators, researchers and
laboratory staff. The Lab Manager plays an integral role in overseeing
laboratory operations by leading the Lab support team and ensuring operational
and scientific support to the researchers. The position holder ensures that
the laboratories and laboratory equipment are well maintained and upgraded as
per research needs and complying with safety protocols.

Major Responsibilities

• To manage day-to-day CDA laboratory operations.


• Oversee lab organization, resource management, and technical support and safety matters for all laboratories working within the center.


• Management of data and workflows related to lab operations and maintenance of a digital database for record keeping.


• Supervise and mentor the lab support team and establish a workflow of lab duties by allocation of tasks and responsibilities.


• Regularly meet with faculty to exchange the requirements and updates on lab operations.


• Collaborate with researchers to plan and analyze research work and respective requirements.


• Investigate lab operation problems to determine the cause and effect of such a problem and find prompt and effective solutions in consultation with the relevant PIs and/or staff.


• Oversee the laboratory assets; proposal preparation, purchase, installation, commissioning and maintenance schedules.


• Ensure regular maintenance and upgrades of laboratory resources according to CDA requirements and demands.


• Evaluate need of general research and ensure optimized supply of consumables and reagents.


• Oversees, assesses and prioritizes the maintenance needs of the equipment and standardized operating procedures.


• Manage scheduling of support personnel and research equipment to maximize work productivity.


• Compile all necessary safety documentation, and oversee documentation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).


• Communicate laboratory updates with researchers and faculty during central meetings.


• Maintain safety training records and compliance for all lab users and conduct regular self-inspections in accordance with institutional guidelines.


• Work closely with the Research Safety Team, lab support team and other support departments at KAUST to ensure safe and un-interrupted laboratory operations.


• Provide laboratory orientation training to new lab users and encourage "Good Lab Practices" (GLP) by effective communication and through introducing new and encouraging initiatives.

Competencies

• Effective management skills for leading a team of support staff and meeting deadlines


• Excellent communication, inter-personal and conflict resolution skills.


• Strong organizational skills with the capacity to prioritize and do multi-tasking.


• Capable of working independently with problem-solving skills, while maintaining close interaction with Faculty, researchers, and lab staff.


• Experienced, and reliable in maintaining laboratory assets on both a regular and non-regular basis.


• Ability to work collaboratively and foster a cooperative work environment.


• Efficient presentation and communication skills with a large audience.


• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Biological or Environmental Science (preferably Masters)


• ‎5 to ‎7 years of relevant work experience.


• Proficiency in all forms of communication, along with solid time management, teamwork and organizational skills