Laboratory Operations Manager

About the Role

BioServe Space Technologies, a space life sciences research center within the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, has an immediate opening for a Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee laboratory operations and provide project support for biomedical research experiments and facilities flown aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Laboratory Operations Manager works closely with BioServe's multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, payload developers, integration specialists, safety personnel, operations staff, and undergraduate and graduate students to successfully develop and execute spaceflight research missions.

About BioServe

BioServe Space Technologies is a Center within the Ann and HJ Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences department at CU Boulder. Since its inception in 1987, BioServe has designed, built, and flown hundreds of microgravity life science research experiments and hardware on over 75 spaceflight missions. BioServe has a full suite of spaceflight-certified hardware available for use by its customers and partners. Past partners include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Universities, NIH, NASA-funded and other government agency researchers. BioServe is a full-service, turn-key organization that enables its customers and partners to focus solely on research while BioServe manages all other activities required to successfully fly experiments in microgravity.

Responsibilities

• Liquid nitrogen storage management
• Laboratory operations, organization, and workflow
• Inventory management for laboratory supplies, chemicals, and flight hardware
• Procurement of laboratory supplies, equipment, and general-use consumables
• Receiving and processing laboratory shipments
• Maintenance of chemical inventories and laboratory records
• Scheduling and tracking calibration and preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Weekly laboratory safety inspections and corrective actions
• Support of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) compliance and documentation
• Training staff and students in laboratory procedures, sterile technique, cell culture, laboratory equipment operation, and flight hardware preparation
• Mammalian and stem cell culture support
• Microscopy operation and image acquisition
• Basic cell culture analyses and documentation
• Material compatibility testing with biological samples
• Preparation, sterile assembly, and testing of BioServe spaceflight hardware
• Development and execution of laboratory and experimental protocols for both ground-based and spaceflight investigations
• Literature reviews supporting experimental design and protocol development
• Support for payload implementation activities, including documentation of experiment requirements, identification of flight and ground hardware, and coordination of ground testing activities such as feasibility testing and Experiment Verification Testing (EVT) to ensure mission success
• Develop and follow engineering and laboratory procedures utilizing BioServe's procedure process

What You Should Know

This appointment will not support the sponsorship of an H-1B or J-1 visa. The estimated start date is September 1, 2026.

Pay

The salary range for this full-time position is $85,000 - $115,000 annually.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, engineering, or a related scientific field
• Experience operating microscopy systems and standard biological laboratory equipment
• Demonstrated organizational, project coordination, and laboratory management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail

What We Would Like You To Have

• Experience supporting biomedical research for spaceflight or other highly regulated research environments
• Experience with spaceflight hardware assembly, payload integration, or flight hardware processing
• Familiarity with laboratory safety regulations, biosafety compliance, and quality management systems
• Experience training laboratory personnel and students
• Project management experience supporting multidisciplinary scientific or engineering teams

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials as individual files: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, and (Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree. If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version (if applicable) as an Optional attachment. During the application process, you will be asked to provide the names and email addresses for two references, from whom we may request confidential letters of recommendation later in the search process.

Please apply by August 19, 2026 for full consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.