Laboratory Manager
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About the Position
- Mpala Research Centre is seeking an experienced and dynamic Laboratory Manager to lead the effective, quality-driven and commercially sustainable operation of its laboratory facilities.
- The Laboratory Manager will be responsible for ensuring high standards of laboratory operations, quality assurance, researcher support and staff management, while developing the laboratory into a service-oriented and revenue-generating facility for researchers, academic institutions, government agencies, NGOs and private-sector clients
Key Responsibilities
Laboratory Operations & Technical Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, ensuring efficient use of facilities, equipment and resources.
- Supervise, mentor and develop laboratory staff and coordinate work planning, training and performance.
- Coordinate access and support for researchers, students, visiting scientists and external laboratory users.
- Ensure laboratory safety, protocols and operational procedures are consistently followed.
Business Development & Resource Mobilization
- Develop and grow laboratory services for researchers, universities, government agencies, NGOs and private-sector clients.
- Identify opportunities for fee-for-service testing, contract research, technical training, consultancy and other revenue-generating services.
- Build strategic partnerships and support grant and funding proposals for laboratory infrastructure, equipment and capacity development.
- Monitor service uptake, client satisfaction and revenue performance and recommend improvements to strengthen the laboratory’s sustainability.
Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Lead and maintain the laboratory Quality Management System in line with ISO 17025 or other relevant standards.
- Ensure SOPs, quality controls, audits, proficiency testing and corrective actions are effectively managed.
- Promote a culture of quality, safety, compliance and continuous improvement across the laboratory.
- Ensure laboratory activities comply with relevant research, regulatory and institutional requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting
- Build effective relationships with researchers, research institutions, clients, funders and other laboratory partners.
- Represent the laboratory in relevant institutional meetings, stakeholder engagements and professional forums.
- Coordinate with Research Compliance and Administration on research approvals, material transfer agreements and other requirements affecting laboratory activities.
- Prepare regular operational, quality, financial and performance reports for senior leadership.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- A Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree (Added Advantage) in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Life Sciences or a related field.
- Proven experience managing a research, analytical, diagnostic or similar laboratory.
- Strong knowledge of laboratory quality management systems, with experience in ISO 17025 or a comparable standard.
- Experience supervising technical teams and managing laboratory operations, equipment and resources.
- Experience in business development, resource mobilization, grant development or developing laboratory services will be an advantage.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- A practical, commercially aware and solutions-oriented approach to laboratory management.