Research Lab Manager

About the role

The Research Laboratory Manager will oversee the daily operations of a large, established, multidisciplinary research laboratory focused on understanding the host–pathogen interface during Staphylococcus aureus infection. This position serves as the operational backbone of the laboratory, ensuring that personnel, supplies, compliance activities, equipment, and laboratory processes function efficiently to support a highly productive research environment. The successful candidate will dedicate a portion of their effort to conducting pilot studies, method development, and exploratory experiments that support emerging research directions within the laboratory. This is a temporary position ideal for an organized, proactive scientist who enjoys facilitating research and enabling the success of a large team while maintaining hands-on involvement in the scientific enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee daily laboratory operations for a large research group.
• Manage laboratory inventory and ensure continuous availability of reagents, consumables, media, and supplies.
• Establish and maintain reagent tracking, freezer inventories, and laboratory databases.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, calibration schedules, service contracts, and repairs.
• Monitor laboratory organization, cleanliness, and operational readiness.
• Manage purchasing activities, including quotations, procurement requests, purchase orders, receiving, and reconciliation of laboratory expenses.
• Serve as liaison with vendors and institutional procurement offices.
• Track laboratory expenditures and assist with budget monitoring.
• Coordinate scientific service contracts, core facility interactions, and vendor relationships.
• Assist principal investigator with administrative tasks related to laboratory management.
• Serve as laboratory coordinator for biosafety, chemical safety, and environmental health and safety activities.
• Maintain compliance with institutional and governmental regulations.
• Coordinate biosafety inspections and laboratory audits.
• Ensure proper chemical inventory management and hazardous waste procedures.
• Maintain required laboratory safety documentation and training records.
• Serve as primary point of contact for safety committees and regulatory offices.
• Perform exploratory experiments as directed supporting new research initiatives.
• Conduct pilot studies that generate preliminary data for grant applications and new projects.
• Assist with troubleshooting of experimental approaches used throughout the laboratory.
• Perform research related to host-pathogen interactions, bacterial pathogenesis, immunology, microbiology, and MRSA infection biology.
• Analyze, organize, and communicate experimental findings to the principal investigator.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and documentation of research activities.

Requirements

• BS degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of laboratory research experience in an academic, government, or biotechnology setting.
• Degree equivalency: Four years of direct experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree (per Florida Senate Bill 1310).

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Experience managing research laboratory operations.
• Experience with biosafety and chemical safety compliance programs.
• Experience with microbiology, bacterial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, cell culture, molecular biology, or immunological techniques.
• Experience training students and research personnel.
• Familiarity with grant-funded academic research environments.
• Experience with laboratory operations, organization, and inventory management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and electronic laboratory record systems.
• Experience working independently and exercising sound judgment in a dynamic research environment.
• Experience maintaining laboratory budgets and purchasing systems.

About Us

The University of South Florida (USF) is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee, and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine is ranked the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S.

With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.

USF offers a first-class benefits package, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities.