Lab Manager (Fungi & Soil)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The laboratory manager oversees day-to-day laboratory operations and supports CAER’s fungal, microbial, soil analysis, and applied research programs. The role bridges laboratory management, technical research, field-to-lab workflows, and coordination of multidisciplinary teams. The laboratory manager supervises technician staff, volunteers, interns, and coordinates with researchers and external collaborators to maintain safe, organized, and scientifically rigorous laboratory operations. 

Working with the Scientific Director, translating approved research designs and project priorities into laboratory work plans & implementing them, staffing assignments, production schedules, and analytical workflows; communicating progress, resource needs, and risks to deadlines.

As a young and growing organization, CAER is seeking someone comfortable with a dynamic work environment that blends hands-on implementation of scientific procedures with leading edge research & development activities, and excited to be a part of a developing field with great potential to effect positive worldly change.

Role details: Salaried, exempt, based on full-time, 40-hour workweek. M-F generally but schedule can be discussed.

Compensation: $45/hr, with medical, dental, vision benefits, sick leave, vacation accrual PTO. 

Timeline : Applications accepted on rolling basis until position is filled. Expected start date: November 1.

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Core Responsibilities

Fungal & Microbial Lab Oversight

• Fungal inoculum production: Plan and oversee fungal (and microbial) inoculum production for field remediation projects and laboratory experiments. Supervise the fungal laboratory technician; coordinate production volumes, schedules, supplies, quality checks, storage, and delivery to meet project deadlines. 
• Assist with development and execution of experiments involving fungi, microbes, plants, and biological remediation systems.
• Support projects involving arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), mycoremediation, microbial ecology, and other biological treatment approaches.
• Maintain appropriate culture conditions, laboratory records, and experimental documentation.
• Support preparation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of biological experiments.
• Establish and maintain quality assurance and quality control procedures for fungal cultures and inoculum produced or used by CAER, including identity verification where appropriate, contamination checks, batch traceability, and documented criteria for use.
• Mycorrhizal workflows: Perform or oversee mycorrhizal spore extraction and associated microscopy, counting, and documentation, as required by project protocols.
• Molecular workflows: Perform or coordinate DNA extraction and PCR from soil and microbial samples as needed, including appropriate controls, contamination prevention, and documentation.

Soil Analysis & Environmental Testing

• Support CAER’s soil analysis and environmental testing, including sample preparation, analytical workflows, documentation, and data management.
• Soil sample processing and analysis: Coordinate and oversee processing and analysis of soil samples across concurrent projects, including pH, soil texture, and XRF screening for metal concentrations. Assign and oversee work by technicians, interns, and other trained personnel; verify adherence to methods and quality control requirements.
• Support operation, maintenance, and appropriate use of laboratory and analytical equipment including XRF, pH meters, and other instruments
• Maintain sample identification, chain-of-custody, experimental, and analytical records.
• Contribute to development and refinement of analytical procedures and laboratory workflows.Manage sample intake for our internal and external programs, 
• External laboratory coordination: Manage sample intake, storage, preservation, chain of custody, applicable holding times, and shipment or transfer to external laboratories; track receipt of results and resolve missing or inconsistent information.
• Data review and handoff: Ensure analytical results are accurately linked to sample identifiers and experimental metadata. Review data for completeness, transcription errors, and quality control issues, and deliver organized datasets with documented methods, units, and any limitations to the Scientific Director and designated research partners.

Research Team Coordination

• Coordinate multidisciplinary research teams composed of individuals with diverse levels and areas of expertise, from technical staff and interns to graduate and doctoral researchers.
• Help translate research objectives into organized experimental plans, workflows, schedules, and documentation.
• Coordinate laboratory access, equipment use, supplies, experimental timelines, and shared research resources.
• Support researchers in maintaining consistent experimental methods, records, and laboratory practices.
• Facilitate communication between research, laboratory, field, and administrative personnel.
• Support collaborative projects spanning fungal biology, soil science, environmental science, environmental engineering, ecological restoration, microbial ecology, and bioremediation.

Laboratory Safety & Operations

• Maintain safe, organized, and functional laboratory spaces.
• Support implementation and maintenance of laboratory Environmental Health & Safety procedures and protocols.
• Assist with chemical, biological, and equipment safety practices appropriate to laboratory activities.
• Identify operational and safety issues and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.
• Support onboarding and training of staff, interns, volunteers, and researchers in laboratory procedures and safety expectations.
• Maintain chemical inventory and safety data sheets (SDS).
• Manage proper disposal of laboratory waste. 

SOPs, Documentation & Quality Practices

• Support development, review, implementation, and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Help establish consistent laboratory workflows and documentation practices.
• Maintain laboratory records, experimental notes, equipment documentation, inventories, and other operational records.
• Assist staff and volunteers with appropriate documentation, record keeping, data entry, and laboratory note-taking.
• Support organization and maintenance of research documentation to improve reproducibility and institutional knowledge.

Supplies, Equipment & Laboratory Infrastructure

• Monitor laboratory supplies, consumables, reagents, and equipment needs.
• Coordinate ordering and procurement of laboratory materials and supplies.
• Maintain inventory systems and ensure essential materials are available for ongoing projects within budget
• Support routine maintenance, cleaning, troubleshooting, and organization of laboratory equipment.
• Help identify equipment and infrastructure needs as CAER’s research programs develop.

Staff, Volunteer & Intern Support

• Provide technical and operational support to staff, volunteers, interns, and visiting researchers.
• Help non-scientific personnel understand and complete laboratory documentation, record keeping, and project-support tasks.
• Train and mentor less-experienced personnel in appropriate laboratory practices and workflows.
• Promote a collaborative laboratory culture centered on safety, organization, scientific rigor, and ecological responsibility.

Qualifications & Education

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of laboratory practices, scientific methods, and research workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with personnel with varying levels of technical and scientific experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety, accurate documentation, and reproducible scientific practices.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and follow technical procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Proficiency with common laboratory documentation, inventory, data management, and record-keeping practices.
• Ability to troubleshoot laboratory, experimental, and operational issues and identify appropriate solutions.

Preferred Technical Skills

Strong experience in at least one of these areas:

• Experience with fungal cultivation, microbiological techniques, or microbial ecology.
• Experience working with soil, environmental samples, or contaminated materials.
• Familiarity with remediation in a technical capacity.
• Experience with environmental analytical methods and laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs and laboratory protocols.
• Experience coordinating research projects involving multiple disciplines or levels of expertise.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices, chemical and biological safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience training, supervising, or mentoring interns, volunteers, technicians, or students.
• Proficiency with scientific data collection, documentation, and analysis.

Professional Skills

• Technical communication and scientific writing
• Research planning and experimental organization
• Project and team coordination
• Laboratory organization and resource management
• Problem solving and troubleshooting
• Documentation and record keeping
• Effective data management 
• Training and mentorship
• Collaboration across technical and non-technical teams
• Adaptability in interdisciplinary and developing research environments

Education Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, environmental science, environmental engineering, soil science, ecology, chemistry, or a related scientific or technical field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant laboratory experience.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or advanced coursework in a relevant scientific, environmental, engineering, or biological discipline.
• Additional training or coursework in microbiology, mycology, soil science, environmental engineering, ecological restoration, environmental chemistry, or related fields.

Experience Requirements

Required:

• 2+ years of laboratory, research, environmental, biological, or related technical experience.
• Experience working in a laboratory or research environment with responsibility for maintaining organized workflows, documentation, and equipment.
• Experience working collaboratively with individuals from different technical or professional backgrounds.

Preferred:

• Experience managing or coordinating laboratory operations, research projects, or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with fungal or microbial research, soil analysis, environmental testing, or ecological remediation.
• Experience developing, implementing, or maintaining laboratory SOPs.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students, interns, volunteers, or technical personnel.
• Experience coordinating laboratory procurement, inventory, equipment maintenance, or safety procedures.
• Experience working on applied research projects involving environmental contamination, remediation, ecological restoration, or nature-based solutions.

Position Scope

The Laboratory Manager serves as a central technical and organizational resource within CAER, helping translate research concepts into safe, reproducible, and well-documented laboratory workflows. The position combines laboratory operations with hands-on scientific support, research coordination, and mentorship of personnel working across CAER's ecological remediation programs.

Role details: Salaried, exempt, based on full-time, 40-hour workweek. M-F generally but schedule can be discussed.

Compensation: $45/hr, with medical, dental, vision benefits, sick leave, vacation accrual PTO. 

Timeline: Applications accepted on rolling basis until position is filled. Expected start date: November 1.

\nCompany Description

The Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation (CAER) is a nonprofit organization advancing science-based, community-centered approaches to remediating contaminated land using ecological methods, including fungi, plants, and soil biology. Our work bridges rigorous environmental science, ecological restoration, remediation and environmental justice, with active projects across urban post-industrial, and post-fire landscapes.

Company Description

The Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation (CAER) is a nonprofit organization advancing science-based, community-centered approaches to remediating contaminated land using ecological methods, including fungi, plants, and soil biology. Our work bridges rigorous environmental science, ecological restoration, remediation and environmental justice, with active projects across urban post-industrial, and post-fire landscapes.