Laboratory Operations Manager

Title: Laboratory Operations Manager

Location: Upper East Side

Org Unit: Drukier Institute for Children's Health

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $114,500.00 - $152,100.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

Manage daily operations and user services for a multi-platform facility featuring a Cytek Aurora, Cytek Aurora CS, and BD FACSMelody. Responsibilities include executing cell sorting services for untrained investigators, conducting hands-on training for independent operation of sorters and analyzers, and providing end-to-end scientific consultation, from multi-parameter panel and experimental design through data analysis and troubleshooting. The specialist serves as the primary technical point of contact, developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure rigorous, reproducible scientific standards and guiding researchers across both full-spectrum and conventional workflows.

In addition to user support, the specialist oversees instrument maintenance, facility compliance, and administrative workflows to maintain peak operational readiness. Daily duties include instrument startup, routine quality control, first-line technical troubleshooting, and coordinating advanced service contracts or repairs with external vendors. Facility management responsibilities include monitoring inventory and reordering critical consumables, managing reservations and user communications, maintaining active data hygiene protocols across all acquisition workstations, and adhering to institutional laboratory safety guidelines.

Job Responsibilities

• Develops, implements and enforces department policies and procedures to support laboratory safety, efficiency and quality control. Collaborates with a wide variety of staff to ensure smooth, safe operations of all basic science labs.

• Works closely with Environmental Health and Safety staff. Ensures laboratory is in compliance with the Weill Cornell Medicine, local, state and federal regulatory requirements. Coordinates corrective action plan for all safety issues.

• Develops standardized departmental laboratory orientation/training program(s) for new and existing staff. Implements broadly across department. Ensures that education, certification, and training requirements are met for all lab personnel.

• Oversees equipment inventory and maintenance contracts for all labs. Serves as resource in evaluating new lab equipment purchases by leading assessment of options and ensuring competitive quotes are obtained. Reviews equipment for end of life replacement.

• Develops internal core services for laboratory operations that are cost effective and efficient. Develops mechanisms for cost sharing of departmental core services. Serves as resource for core lab resources and recommends core services to lab staff.

• Develops lab operating budgets, capital equipment needs for all physician scientist recruits under consideration. Makes recommendations for recruitment budgets to Chair and CAO. Coordinates on-boarding and set up of all new labs.

• Recommends to Chair and CAO revisions to lab space allocations with goal of maximizing efficient use of space. Develops and maintains an accurate lab space inventory by room and lab bench with detailed occupants. Maintains inventory within ERP system.

• Coordinates all lab moves and relocations. Develops work plans for all moves in advance and ensures safety and timeliness of the move.

• Coordinates and develops lab emergency and disaster plans for all labs in the department. Ensures and implements disaster scenario training.

• Coordinates operational and policy issues with other department lab managers for labs that are not under direct oversight. Holds regular meeting with key lab managers and staff.

• Supervises all technical staff in labs with responsibility for recruiting, training, performance appraisal and performance discipline.

• Supervises students, visiting scientists and new lab members in the application and use of new equipment as well as maintaining and following the standard operating procedures for laboratory activities.

• Analyzes and monitors the financial activities of the laboratories with respect to OTPS, animal and others expenses. Makes recommendations for cost savings as needed. Works with PI’s to implement cost saving plans.

• Provides key information to principal investigators and post-docs and assists with the preparation of budgets and other regulatory items for grant submission and clinical trial applications.

• Leads and participates in new assay development and test system validations.

• Ensures the safe, timely and appropriate processing, storage and shipping of biological specimens.

• Generates reports for data and financial analysis.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree

Experience

Minimum 5 years of lab operations experience, of which 2 years is in a management role.

Extensive directly related experience can be considered in lieu of a degree.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).

• Ability to foster positive relationships with Principal Investigators and clinical, scientific and administrative leadership.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.