Laboratory Operations Associate

About the role

Company Summary: Serif Biomedicines is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to gene therapy that can address currently untreatable diseases. Serif was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and grows first-in-category life sciences companies. Flagship Pioneering has created over 100 groundbreaking companies over the past twenty years, all of which are pioneering novel and proprietary biological, industrial, and engineering approaches to solve major needs in human health and sustainability. These companies include Moderna (MRNA), Syros Pharmaceuticals (SYRS), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MCRB), Generate Biomedicines, Tessera Tx, Evelo Biosciences (EVLO), and Indigo Agriculture.

Position Summary: We are seeking a highly organized and hands-on Laboratory Operations Associate to support sample management, inventory, and day-to-day operations for our CMC and broader laboratory teams. This candidate will work closely with the CMC team to build and maintain an efficient sample management and inventory system, help organize final cargo and coordinate handoffs across teams, and support procurement of key reagents and consumables. We are looking for an individual with strong bench and instrument experience, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally with scientists and operations leadership. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate with sample management and/or lab operations experience who is looking to grow into a lab management role, as part of a dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• CMC Support: Work closely with the CMC team to build out and maintain their sample management and inventory system
• Organize final cargo and support handoffs of materials to other teams across the company
• Provide regular updates on cargo inventory status to the Director of CMC, Head of Analytics, Senior Manager of Operations, and other team leads
• Partner with scientists and the Senior Manager of Operations to organize inventory and coordinate procurement of key enzymes, buffers, and other consumables
• Lab Operations Support: Run decontamination and cleaning protocols on Fragment Analyzers and flow cytometers (including the yeast cytometer and sorter) on a weekly basis
• Complete daily “Lab Tasks” to maintain lab organization, cleanliness, and readiness
• Support lab space optimization efforts as the team grows within an increasingly confined footprint
• Troubleshoot key laboratory equipment and support routine equipment upkeep
• Perform Category B equipment maintenance (freezer defrosts, incubator PMs, centrifuge calibrations, pipette calibration scheduling, etc.)
• Provide procurement support for general lab consumables
• Lab Onboarding Support: Assist in executing new lab member onboarding, including bench allocation; procurement of benchtop equipment and consumables (pipettes, centrifuges, freezers); support fridge and freezer allocation; safety training checks; and small lab consumables procurement
• Help ensure team members are set up efficiently to work safely and effectively in the lab

Qualifications

• BS degree in Biology, chemistry, Biochemistry or related field
• 2+ years of experience in laboratory operations, sample management or both
• Hands-on bench experience at the Research Associate or Associate Scientist level
• Experience in sample management and/or laboratory operations (experience in both is a plus)
• Hands-on experience with cytometers, Fragment Analyzers, and chromatography instruments
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with scientists and operations leadership
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
• Candidates with sample management experience who are looking to grow into a lab management role are strongly encouraged to apply

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage
• Annual incentive program
• Retirement benefits
• A broad range of other benefits

Pay

The salary range for this role is $72,000 - $99,000. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience.