Head of Lab Operations
About the job
Today, precision medicine coupled with advanced diagnostics is taking over. However, those innovations in medicine come with an ever-increasing price tag driven by more expensive and complicated solutions making them less accessible unless we do something about it.
Signatur Biosciences was established with the mission of making cutting-edge diagnostic tools accessible to more patients around the world. As a startup we have developed a technology to profile complex molecular signatures in a single reaction using qPCR machines already in place in every biomedical lab around the world. Signatur Biosciences is a startup currently based in New Heaven, Connecticut, and London, UK, and in the next exciting phase of expansion is establishing laboratory facilities in Charleroi (BioPark in Gosselies), Belgium.
We're worried about accessibility in precision diagnostics and are building a team of individuals who share our passion for solving this problem through close collaboration and a sense of urgency. We're building a different kind of company, where employees think like owners, act with authority, and collaborate closely with one another.
We are seeking a highly motivated and driven Head of Laboratory Operations to join our team. In this role, under the direction of the Head of Development, you will be responsible for the establishment, maintenance and operations of the laboratory facility. As a central figure in our growing organization, you will be expected to work collaboratively across the company ensuring a laboratory facility that enables the development, verification, validation and manufacture of our diagnostics assays. If you are a self-starter with a passion for novel diagnostics development, we'd love to speak with you!
About the role: The Head of Laboratory Operations is a critical role for Signatur Biosciences as we establish our laboratory facility and expand our team. As part of a medical diagnostic start-up, the Head of Laboratory Operations will oversee all laboratory activities in both an R&D and operations setting. The Head of Laboratory Operations will have responsibility for the establishment, maintenance and operations of the laboratory facility ensuring both the quality and quantity of output in compliance with relevant industry standards. As the senior on-site leader, the Head of Laboratory Operations will have a key role in the recruitment, management and motivation of the team, leading by example and creating a high performing team environment.
Skills, Experience & Attributes
Essential Skills/Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biological sciences
>5 years direct line management experience in a lab management (or equivalent) role
Medical diagnostic, or equivalent, industry experience
Fluent in English and French, both written and verbally.
Desirable Skills/Experience
Working with Biobank regulations
Working to ISO13485
Knowledge of IVD/manufacturing product transfer
Molecular Biology (qPCR, nucleic acid extraction)
Inventory management and procurement processes
Familiarity with scientific computing languages (i.e. Python)
Fluent in Flemish, both written and verbally
Main Responsibilities:
People and Functional Development
Line Management and leadership of personnel, including hiring, training, supervision, and professional development creating of a high performing team culture
Managing the labs daily activities, including R&D, manufacturing and daily maintenance, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of lab results and a right-first-time mindset
Responsible for the establish and maintenance of a BioBank for human samples in compliance with national and international requirements
Responsible for ensuring a safe work environment in compliance with all relevant Health and Safety requirements
Ensure laboratory instrumentation qualifications are established and maintained and the laboratory complies with all relevant regulatory requirements
Establish and maintain laboratory procedures and work instructions within the Quality Management System (QMS) framework
Coordinates the use of lab resources, such as equipment, and act as a key contact for suppliers to ensure an efficient laboratory operation
Generates metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor lab performance to ensure continuous improvement.
Manage the labs budget, including procurement and cost control
Coordinates with other departments and external partners to support lab activities
Act as the point of contact for the landlord, forming close and collaborative working arrangement and ensuring optimal usage of share facilities
Responsible for the evolution of lab space to meet changing company needs, working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure
Project and Product Delivery
Key contributor to writing and reviewing grant proposals, forming contacts within the local bioscience ecosystem
Directly contribute to tasks, facilitating and assisting with project delivery
Clearly communicate business priorities to team members and remove obstacles to enable focus on priority tasks
Support and/or lead troubleshooting activities using root cause analysis tools
May act as an independent reviewer at project design review meetings
Key Competencies
Innovation:
Develops personal skills to think creatively and solve problems uniquely
Leverages the diverse perspectives and skills of the group to create innovative solutions
Sense of Urgency
Recognizes what needs immediate attention, acting without delays
Ensures team members work together efficiently to meet collective goals
Focus
Single minded in the pursuit of tasks without distractions, setting priorities and managing time effectively
Fosters an environment where team members can concentrate on their roles and collaborate effectively
Change Management
Demonstrates personal adaptability and resilience
Constructively handles changes in daily routine or adapting to new technologies/approaches
Leads by example, facilitating change through proactively engaging team members to discuss changes, provides training and addressed concerns collectively.
Benefits
Competitive base salary + Equity (stock options)
Mobility package
Annual leave
Others
As we continue to grow, our benefits package will evolve. The benefits outlined above are accurate as of the job posting date, but may differ at time of hire.
Further information
Signatur Biosciences is an equal-opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.
Legal authorization to work in the UK is required. In compliance with UK law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the UK and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.