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

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