Manager, Laboratory Operations

The Mindspan Institute is a new non-profit research institute in Cambridge, MA, aimed at building novel tools to analyze the human brain, and scaling them to study its molecules and wiring. We interpret how they contribute to brain functions and dysfunctions, and share our tools and discoveries as freely as possible, to advance human health.

We are seeking an experienced, thoughtful, highly organized Manager, Laboratory Operations, to oversee the operational, regulatory, and logistical functions of Mindspan's lab space. You will be the person our scientists depend on to keep the labs safe, compliant, stocked, and running smoothly, so the science team can move fast.

This is a founding role. Our labs are being set up now, so you will help build the systems you run: how space is shared, how supplies are ordered and received, how equipment is installed and maintained, how the space is kept safe and comfortable, and how new lab members are trained before they start work.

You report to the Director of Operations and work closely with the heads of our research teams, consultants, building facilities personnel, and outside vendors.

What you'll do

Lab space, purchasing, and logistics

• Assist with use planning and organization of shared laboratory space.

• Manage organization and purchasing of common laboratory consumables.

• Assist with quotes, service contracts, and purchase orders in our procurement system (Prendio).

• Receive shipments, ensuring they arrive complete and undamaged.

• Handle shipping for the lab, maintaining proper training for dry ice and hazardous and biohazardous materials shipping.

Equipment, inventory, and samples

• Manage equipment installation, maintenance, and repair.

• Oversee liquid nitrogen and gas cylinder inventory.

• Track equipment assets and chemical inventory, and conduct annual audits.

• Oversee sample management.

Safety and compliance

• Oversee and enforce proper hazardous, biohazardous, and sharps waste management; serve as the primary liaison with our outside Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) consultants.

• Assist with compliance requirements for the use of lasers.

• Assist with compliance requirements for the use of animals.

• Coordinate safety and regulatory training for new lab members before they are given lab access, and ensure proper handling and disposal of laboratory materials when lab members leave.

• Lead periodic lab inspections and manage corrective actions when needed.

People, access, and systems

• Liaise and coordinate with facilities and housekeeping as needed.

• Serve as backup for lab access-control management.

• Assist with user onboarding and proper use of the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN).

• Maintain SOPs.

• Create systems and processes to help streamline all of the above, to facilitate science and maximize compliance.

• Occasionally help with emergencies, including outside normal hours, related to equipment failures or safety issues.

Required qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in biology, bioengineering, or neuroscience, or equivalent experience.

• At least five years of experience in a biology or bioengineering research laboratory, including at least three years managing lab operations, ideally in a multidisciplinary, bioengineering, or neuroscience environment.

• Working knowledge of biosafety, chemical safety, and hazardous waste regulations and general lab safety practices, and experience writing related protocols.

• Working knowledge of animal regulatory, safety, welfare, and compliance requirements, and experience writing related protocols.

• Experience with purchasing, receiving, and inventory systems, and with managing vendors and service contracts.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience supporting laser safety programs.

• Familiarity with common laboratory equipment, including the ability to troubleshoot and coordinate repairs.

• Experience with electronic lab notebooks, asset-tracking tools, or procurement platforms such as Prendio.

• Experience helping set up a new lab or research facility.

What we're looking for

You have a strong detail orientation and exceptional organizational, planning, interpersonal, and communication skills. You can work independently, prioritize, and manage the day-to-day operations of a growing research group. Self-motivation, commitment to high quality standards, and a service-oriented mindset are all key. You have good judgment - balancing flexibility and focus, action and planning, speed and thoughtfulness - as appropriate. You are open to giving and receiving feedback, constructively and thoughtfully, to advance scientific missions and personal growth.

The role is based in active wet-lab and equipment spaces. It involves regular work with chemicals, biological materials, liquid nitrogen, compressed gases, and laser equipment, with appropriate training and protective equipment. You should be able to move around the lab throughout the day and receive, lift, and move supplies and shipments.

This is an in-person job at 399 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA. Occasional evening or weekend availability is required for urgent or emergency situations.

Culture we're building

The disorders of the brain affect over 1,000,000,000 people around the world - Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke - and other conditions - none of which can be cured. We operate with a sense of urgency, even as we look to understand the brain at its most fundamental levels.

We are hypercollaborative, and focused on impact over short-term markers of productivity. Creativity and failure are the stepping stones to scale, and working together with “strong opinions, weakly held” is our style.

We solve real engineering problems the best way we can: inventing fast when we have to, and using good existing solutions where they exist. We believe hard problems only yield to many disciplines working together, so collaboration is required, not optional.

We expect people to explore the unknown, which means making mistakes daily, owning them, and learning from them to improve and excel.

We are recruiting a team of scientists and engineers who exemplify all these values.

What we offer

The chance to build the lab operations of a new research institute from the ground up, alongside some of the most adventurous scientists in the field. You will get to contribute to addressing one of the most important unmet medical needs of our time, as part of the initial team. As Mindspan grows, we expect this role to grow with it. We are excited to invest in someone who wants to take on increasing responsibility over time.

Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and family benefits, and a matching retirement contribution.

Competitive salary ($130,000–$150,000), depending on experience.

The Mindspan Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a collaborative and scientifically rigorous environment for everyone who works here.