Lab Manager

The Opportunity The Laboratory Manager will oversee daily operations and support research activities across the Bernhardt and Wright research groups at Cornell University. This role will lead the setup and management of laboratory infrastructure following the labs' relocation from Duke University to Cornell. Responsibilities include coordinating laboratory operations, managing administrative and logistical functions, and maintaining laboratory spaces and systems. The position works closely with faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff to ensure a safe, organized, and productive research environment. About The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is Cornell University's second-largest college and a leader in purpose-driven research, education, and outreach. CALS brings together experts from diverse disciplines to address complex global challenges through innovative scientific discovery. Its work focuses on advancing sustainable food systems, protecting the environment, and supporting healthy, thriving communities. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, CALS creates solutions that have an impact locally, nationally, and globally. Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the laboratory, ensuring efficient and effective support for research activities across multiple research groups.
• Recruit, supervise, train, coach, and mentor undergraduate student workers and laboratory staff, providing ongoing performance feedback and fostering professional development.
• Plan, assign, and coordinate laboratory work to support research projects in both laboratory and field environments.
• Assist researchers with planning, designing, implementing, conducting, and analyzing experiments and research projects.
• Set up, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and provide instruction on laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and standard laboratory techniques.
• Coordinate the collection, preparation, verification, analysis, and documentation of research data, including preliminary interpretation of experimental results.
• Develop or maintain computer programs and support computerized systems used in research, as needed.
• Construct, maintain, clean, and perform minor repairs on laboratory equipment and specialized research facilities.
• Oversee laboratory purchasing and procurement activities, including non-routine equipment, supplies, and materials.
• Maintain accurate inventory and maintenance records, ensuring laboratory equipment, consumables, and materials remain adequately stocked.
• Schedule and coordinate the routine maintenance, calibration, and use of laboratory equipment and shared laboratory resources.
• Ensure quality control standards are maintained for materials and equipment used in laboratory experiments.
• Develop, implement, and enforce laboratory safety procedures, disease control protocols, chemical safety practices, and hazardous waste disposal procedures in compliance with CALS Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) requirements.

What We Need Please submit either a CV or a resume, along with a cover letter, for further consideration.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field and at least 2–3 years of relevant experience in a research laboratory or similar environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience in a laboratory setting.
• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position. Recommendations: Turning Point and Harold Craft.
• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
• Prior knowledge of safety protocols in a lab setting and proper waste handling.
• Practical skills in designing and carrying out field and lab protocols.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Required training for People Leaders:

• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position. Recommendations: Turning Point and Harold Craft.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Familiarity with university administrative systems related to purchasing, budgeting, or compliance.
• Experience conducting ecological, environmental, or field-based research and desire to gain additional skills and expertise.
• Facility with data management and analysis and capacity and desire to gain quantitative skills.

This is a full-time position that is based in Ithaca, NY and fully on-site. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. The final schedule will be established in collaboration with the supervisor. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position University Job Title: Research Support Spec I Job Family: Academic Support Level: E Pay Rate Type: Salary Pay Range: $65,447.00 - $75,632.00 Remote Option Availability: Onsite Company: Contract College Contact Name: Keionda Lewis Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Job Titles and Pay Ranges: Non-Union Positions Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator. Union Positions The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates. Current Employees: If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell. Online Submission Guidelines: Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. Employment Assistance: For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email View email address on click.appcast.io. If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice View phone number on click.appcast.io, or email at View email address on click.appcast.io. Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io. Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant. EEO Statement: Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 2026-08-06