IGNITE Laboratory Manager

About the role

The IGNITE Laboratory Manager provides direct client-facing laboratory and research support for the IGNITE incubation program. The role reports directly to the IGNITE Program Director and supports FSU faculty, staff, students, small business owners, and technology/economic development leaders in the community.

Responsibilities

• Maintain IGNITE Shared Laboratories:
  • Oversee daily operations, maintain scientific instrumentation and property records.
  • Identify equipment needs and coordinate maintenance.
  • Negotiate service contracts and vendor pricing, set up tax-exempt accounts, and keep accurate service records.
  • Manage critical safety equipment operation and scheduling inspections (biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, safety showers, eyewash stations).
  • Ensure facilities and equipment comply with FSU safety regulations in coordination with FSU EHS and Biosafety personnel.
• Support IGNITE Resident Members:
  • Provide scientific and technical guidance to help resident companies operate successfully at FSU.
  • Deliver training, track compliance, and develop related policies and procedures.
  • Manage shared lab usage, including equipment access, storage, and space allocation.
  • Meet with current and prospective members for lab tours, needs assessments, and equipment planning.
  • Connect companies with technical services and scientific instrumentation across FSU and regional campuses, including core facilities.
• Maintain BSL-2 Compliance:
  • Identify and mitigate safety and security concerns, enforce compliance, and ensure personnel receive required training.
  • Maintain current safety documentation, policies, emergency contacts, signage, and biosafety manuals.
  • Coordinate biomedical and chemical waste pickups with contractors and ensure proper packaging, labeling, manifests, and documentation.
• Supervise Laboratory Student Assistant(s):
  • Recruit, select, assign, train, and oversee IGNITE student laboratory assistants.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and two years’ experience or a combination of post-high school education and experience equal to six years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with biosafety protocols, GMP, and/or lab & hazardous waste management.
• Previous experience managing user facilities, core facilities, manufacturing facilities, or bio/tech startup incubator facilities.

About the department

The Office of the Vice President for Research oversees the IGNITE Incubation Program, which promotes and enhances the research activities of FSU faculty, staff, and students. IGNITE bridges university and community research to stimulate high-tech and biotech industries and create jobs.

About the university

Florida State University is one of the nation's elite research universities, founded in 1851 as the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU fosters research and creativity while embracing a philosophy of learning rooted in the liberal arts and critical thinking.