Overview

Laboratory managers manage the day-to-day laboratory operations for all tasks in a lab. They uphold health and safety standards, improve lab operation processes and mentor and train lab technicians on the correct use of lab equipment. Lab managers also undertake administrative duties for the lab such as ordering supplies, scheduling employees and communicating with outside lab services.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Develop and approve employee schedules, sick time, vacation and personal time
• Supervise day-to-day operations of the lab
• Provide active leadership and development of all lab technicians and staff
• Be responsible for onboarding, training, managing performance and coaching of lab technicians
• Provide professional and technical training on procedures, laboratory testing and screening methods to ensure technical competence of all employees
• Ensure that the lab is up to health and safety standards and technicians are following all health and safety rules
• Check supply levels, place orders, put away and distribute new supplies
• Proactively research new concepts, propose and potentially lead efforts to implement new technologies and experiments
• Perform routine lab maintenance on equipment and call in servicing as required
• Create and review lab protocols, technical reports, data collection sheets and logbooks
• Carry out experimental procedures as relevant to the lab
• Work with third party labs to carry out tests that might not be performed in lab
• Manage the department budget
• Communicate with investigators and other project stakeholders
• Log and enter sample test results in computers

What education and training is required?

A bachelor’s degree in laboratory science, agricultural science, biology, chemistry or a field related to the type of research occurring in the lab (e.g. plant science, animal science, etc.) is required. Some laboratories may require a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field with general experience working in a lab to take on this manager position.

To pursue a career as a Laboratory Manager :

The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, anatomy, biology, mathematics, statistics, chemistry and physics.

Where can I work?

Laboratory managers can work in any industry where research is carried out in a lab. Technicians can work in an academic, government or company setting. Seed, chemical, crop, food, biotech and animal health companies are examples of companies that hire laboratory managers.

Future Job Market / Outlook

Excellent

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• Association for Clinical Laboratory Science
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
• Agricultural Laboratory Testing Association
• American Society for Horticultural Science