Location

ST. LOUIS, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

We invite applications for a full-time Research Lab Manager to join the laboratory of Dr. Patricia Pereira. Our research program includes molecular imaging, antibody engineering, cancer biology, drug development, and translational work to develop and translate next-generation imaging agents and targeted therapeutics for cancer and other disease applications.

The Research Lab Manager will play a central role in the day-to-day operation of the laboratory and contribute scientifically across the lab’s NIH-funded and other externally sponsored research projects. The position has opportunities for scientific leadership, mentorship, career development, and close interaction with the PI, trainees, and collaborators within a highly productive, multidisciplinary research environment.

Performs, oversees and coordinates research projects. Oversees entire laboratory setting to promote smooth operation, regulatory compliance and interaction with other laboratories.

Job Description

• With principal investigator, designs, performs and evaluates research procedures.
• Assists with grant preparation and journal article submission.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures. Provides comprehensive direction to laboratory personnel.
• Hires, trains and evaluates the performance of laboratory personnel.
• Oversees and directs all support activities of the lab including budgets, facility maintenance, purchasing, supplies, materials and equipment.
• Researches and recommends new methods and procedures to maintain current capabilities, quality and standards.
• Serves as contact between the PI, laboratory members, and collaborators to facilitate communication and project coordination.
• Coordinates day-to-day laboratory operations and ensures efficient management of personnel, resources, equipment, and research workflows.
• Assists in the planning, design, implementation, and coordination of multidisciplinary research studies and laboratory operations that range from molecular imaging, cancer biology, antibody engineering, radiochemistry, and targeted therapeutics.
• Assists the PI with project timelines, milestones, and deliverables for NIH-funded and other externally sponsored research projects.
• Supports the preparation, submission, and management of grant applications, NIH progress reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and other research-related documents to ensure compliance with NIH policies, institutional regulations, and sponsor reporting requirements.
• Works with PI to oversee laboratory compliance with institutional, federal, and funding agency policies.
• Prepares, maintains, and coordinates regulatory documentation, including Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), chemical safety, radiation safety, and radiochemistry protocols.
• Coordinates laboratory safety training and maintains compliance records for laboratory personnel.
• Oversees laboratory inventory, orders (including reagents, equipment, mice, radioactive material), purchasing, equipment maintenance, and organization to ensure efficient laboratory operations.
• Works with PI to monitor laboratory data management practices to ensure compliance with institutional, NIH, and sponsor requirements, including secure data storage, documentation, record retention, and reproducible research practices.
• Coordinates with institutional core facilities (including radiochemistry, cyclotron, imaging, animal, and other shared research cores) to facilitate project execution and support the translation of novel molecular imaging agents and targeted therapeutics from preclinical studies toward clinical application.
• Develops, implements, and maintains laboratory policies, workflows, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to promote efficiency, safety, regulatory compliance, and research reproducibility.
• Assists the PI with laboratory budget planning and monitoring, including expenditures, grant allocations, purchasing, and resource utilization.
• Contributes scientifically to laboratory projects through experimental design, execution, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Performs and oversees molecular biology, cell biology, animal studies, radiochemistry, imaging, and other laboratory techniques as appropriate.
• Assists with data analysis, figure preparation, manuscript development, conference abstracts, and scientific presentations.
• Maintains accurate laboratory records and ensures research is conducted according to rigorous scientific and reproducibility standards.
• Mentors lab personnel in laboratory techniques, experimental design, scientific writing, and professional development as appropriate.
• Supervises laboratory personnel, including hiring, onboarding, training, mentoring, scheduling, and performance evaluation.
• Coordinates interactions with collaborators internally and with external academic, clinical, and industry collaborators.
• Represents the laboratory at scientific meetings, institutional seminars, and collaborative project meetings as appropriate.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. 
• Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Research Laboratory Operations (5 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing research laboratories, personnel, and NIH-funded projects in a collaborative biomedical research environment.
• Experience in an NIH-funded translational biomedical research laboratory with demonstrated success in laboratory management, regulatory compliance, personnel supervision, grant and manuscript preparation, and coordination with institutional core facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Analytical Problem Solving, Communication, Leadership, Organizing, Prioritization, Regulatory Compliance

Grade

R12

Salary Range

$63,400.00 - $115,000.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.