Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly capable Lab , Research & Operations Manager to join our growing team in San Francisco. This is a manager-level, hands-on role that combines in vivo research execution with ownership of laboratory operations, safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
This role is a steward of lab health and safety and a central operational leader. You will establish and maintain SOPs, ensure inspection-ready lab and vivarium operations, manage projects across teams, and track KPIs that keep the organization running safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
The ideal candidate thrives in an early-stage environment, enjoys both bench work and systems-building, and takes pride in creating order, safety, and repeatability in complex scientific operations.
Key ResponsibilitiesLab, Vivarium & Safety Operations- Own day-to-day laboratory and vivarium operations, ensuring a safe, clean, compliant, and inspection-ready environment at all times
- Serve as a primary steward of lab health and safety, including biosafety, chemical hygiene, animal welfare, waste management, and equipment safety
- Establish, document, implement, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering lab operations, vivarium workflows, animal handling, biosafety, equipment use, and waste disposal
- Ensure SOPs are version-controlled, actively followed, trained on, and audited, not just written
- Lead onboarding and recurring training for staff on SOPs, lab safety, and compliance requirements
- Support and coordinate IACUC, EH&S, and internal audits, inspections, and protocol updates
- Coordinate equipment maintenance, calibration schedules, certifications, and vendor service visits
- Manage animal deliveries, cage cleaning coordination, and accurate animal care documentation
- Handle, breed, and maintain animal colonies and perform tissue collection as required
Research & Histology Support- Perform mouse embryo dissections and tissue isolations from early developmental stages
- Conduct in vivo procedures including IV, IP, and PO dosing; necropsy; tissue collection; and sample processing in rodent models
- Monitor animal health and maintain accurate experimental records in compliance with ethical and regulatory standards
- Validate and perform in vitro assays to evaluate tissue-engineered constructs
- Perform primary and iPSC cell culture using aseptic techniques
- Prepare samples for flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and histological staining
- Analyze and interpret histological and experimental data and present findings to cross-functional teams
- Collaborate closely with research, engineering, and manufacturing teams to advance therapeutic programs
Operations, Project Management & KPI Tracking- Own operational project management across lab, vivarium, and biomanufacturing workflows
- Create and maintain lightweight project plans, timelines, and dependencies for research, infrastructure, and operational initiatives
- Define, track, and report key operational KPIs, including but not limited to:
- Lab uptime and equipment availability
- Inventory accuracy and stockout rates
- Safety incidents and corrective actions
- Animal colony health, utilization, and throughput
- Experiment turnaround times
- Build and maintain dashboards or reporting systems (e.g., spreadsheets, Notion, Airtable, or similar) to provide visibility into operational performance
- Identify operational bottlenecks and inefficiencies and drive process improvements through execution
- Partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to align operational execution with company priorities and milestones
Purchasing & Inventory Management- Manage ordering of lab supplies, reagents, consumables, and office materials
- Maintain accurate, real-time inventory systems and optimize stock levels
- Coordinate with vendors and sales representatives on delivery timelines, backorders, and issue resolution
- Ensure safe storage, labeling, and tracking of chemicals, biologicals, and controlled materials
Biomanufacturing & Hardware Support- Operate biomedical-grade resin 3D printers
- Perform post-processing
- Assist with assembly, bonding, tubing, and fittings
- Conduct testing and basic quality control checks
- Sterilize equipment and components in accordance with safety and quality standards
Requirements Qualifications
- Master's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, or a related scientific or engineering discipline
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in in vivo research and laboratory operations
- Hands-on experience with animal handling, dosing, pathology, and surgical procedures
- Demonstrated understanding of laboratory safety, biosafety, and animal welfare best practices
- Proven ability to create, maintain, and enforce SOPs in a laboratory or vivarium environment
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a fast-paced startup environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency in cell culture, molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques
- Experience supporting preclinical or IND-enabling studies
- AALAS certification or equivalent
- Experience with electronic inventory systems or LIMS
- Knowledge of GLP standards
- Prior experience supporting IACUC, EH&S, or regulatory inspections
- Experience managing projects and tracking operational KPIs
Benefits- Competitive salary and meaningful equity depending on experience level
- Full benefits
- High-trust, high-ownership environment
- The opportunity to define a new scientific category from the ground up
