Lab Manager, Whole Genome Sequencing

Position Details

Compensation: $65,000• $105,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Position Type/Schedule: Full-time, exempt. Monday• Friday, 8:30 a.m.• 5:00 p.m. This position is fully on-site; remote work is not available.
Work Location: Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH), 6502 S. Archer Rd., Bedford Park, IL 60501.
Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Illinois Tech is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment-based visa for this position.

Summary
The Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) Lab Manager, Whole Genome Sequencing manages and develops complex scientific laboratory activities with minimal supervision, drawing conclusions and recommending next steps based on data. The Lab Manager also takes a lead role in drafting scientific papers and presentations for scientific meetings and university leadership.

The Lab Manager will lead various aspects of research, particularly high-throughput sequencing (HTS), whole genome sequencing (WGS), genome data management, and related research activities. The position will provide scientific advice to the IFSH Executive Director and researchers on genome science and research issues and actively contribute to IFSH strategic plans, grants, and goals. On a limited basis, the Lab Manager will also seek grant and project funding with support from the supervisor. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate must satisfy and maintain all applicable security clearance and access requirements associated with working in a secure research facility.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Perform laboratory testing and analyses in accordance with required specifications, established procedures, and quality standards to produce accurate research data.
- Manage laboratory processes, supplies, and equipment to support timely, accurate, and cost-effective laboratory operations.
- Develop, document, update, and maintain approved procedures for assigned scientific platforms while planning and prioritizing short- and long-term laboratory activities.
- Collaborate with industry and government partners and participate in cross-functional teams to support project objectives and results.
- Develop client, grant, and internal funding proposals and prepare project status updates and reports.
- Lead small projects and provide direction to assigned research staff and students.
- Support laboratory safety requirements and identify opportunities to improve department effectiveness.
- Contribute to scientific papers, presentations, and other communications for scientific meetings, stakeholders, and leadership.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
- M.S. in genomics, food science, engineering, or a related field with 5 or more years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. with 2 or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with high-throughput sequencing (HTS), whole genome sequencing (WGS), genome data management, and related laboratory techniques.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, respond to complex issues, and proactively identify solutions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, genome analysis tools, and relevant coding applications.
- Strong attention to detail in conducting research and maintaining scientific notebooks, data, and technical documentation.
- Strong scientific writing, communication, organizational, and laboratory management skills.

Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. with research experience in the analysis of pathogens in food using various testing techniques.
Service Standards and Performance Expectations
- Produces accurate, timely, and high-quality scientific data, documentation, and project deliverables.
- Maintains laboratory procedures, records, supplies, and equipment in accordance with established requirements.
- Effectively manages priorities, timelines, and assigned laboratory activities.
- Communicates professionally with research teams, leadership, industry and government partners, funding agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Promotes teamwork, laboratory safety, and a proactive approach to meeting research and customer needs.

Supervision & Budget Authority
- Supervises one exempt Research Scientist.
- May provide direction to up to three students on small research projects.
- May lead cross-functional project teams.
- No direct budget authority.

Physical Qualifications
- Work is performed approximately 50% of the time in a laboratory environment operating instrumentation, with the remaining time spent in an office or shared workspace.
- The position requires repetitive motions associated with data entry and the use of laboratory instruments, including pipettors, for up to 20% of the workday.
- The position also requires walking for up to 50% of the workday while conducting experiments and occasional lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.

Benefits
Illinois Tech offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees; tuition assistance programs; flexible spending and commuter benefits; an employee assistance program; university holidays; and applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits. Eligibility, waiting periods, employee contributions, and coverage levels vary by benefit and position. Additional information is available at https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits.