Lab Operations Manager

Job Title: Lab Operations Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: 45,000 per annum (Depending on experience)
Location: Nottingham, Full time, 5 day week over Monday - Saturday

We are working exclusively with a specialist laboratory focused on DNA-based fungal analysis, delivering high-quality environmental insights through modern molecular workflows.

The work is centred around high-throughput processing of samples using DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing technologies, including Oxford Nanopore platforms. The laboratory is being built and operated in line with ISO 17025 quality standards, with a strong focus on robustness, scalability, and data quality.

This is an opportunity to join at a key stage of growth and play a central role in shaping laboratory operations. We are seeking a hands-on Laboratory Manager to take ownership of day-to-day laboratory operations and lead the delivery of high-throughput molecular workflows.

The Role:

• Take ownership of daily laboratory performance, including throughput, turnaround times, and workflow efficiency
• Oversee end-to-end sample processing including receipt, DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing preparation
• Manage batch-based processing workflows to ensure consistent and reliable output
• Identify and implement improvements to increase efficiency and scalability
• Materials Informatics & AI-Assisted Formulation: Using clustering, correlation analysis, and AI to identify best candidates for new materials, predict stability, and guide formulation decisions.
• Robotic Lab Automation: Designing intelligent robotic workflows that combine cobot programming with machine vision and data-driven models to automate laboratory actions, enhance process monitoring, and support real-time decision-making.
• Knowledge Management & Enterprise Systems: Developing ontologies, knowledge graphs, and robust database/version control systems to support reproducible research and enterprise-scale data integration.
• Oversee molecular workflows including DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing
• Support optimisation and validation of laboratory methods
• Troubleshoot technical issues and ensure consistency of results
• Maintain equipment performance, calibration, and correct usage

Required experience:

• Degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biomedical Science, or a related field
• Strong hands-on experience with DNA extraction and PCR workflows
• Proven ability to supervise or support laboratory staff
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple workflows

Desirable experience:

• Experience in high-throughput or production laboratory environments
• Experience with sequencing technologies, particularly Oxford Nanopore
• Experience working with environmental or microbiological samples
• Experience working towards ISO 17025 or ISO 9001 quality standards
• Experience with LIMS or laboratory data management systems

SRG are the UK number 1 recruitment company specialising in the science, engineering, clinical, pharmaceutical, food/FMCG, renewable, biotech, chemicals and medical devices sectors.

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If you have a scientific background and this position is not relevant / suitable for you please feel free to get in touch or visit (url removed) to view our other vacancies.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.