Laboratory Manager - The Center for Asthma Research

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Job Summary:

The Center for Asthma Research is seeking an exceptional and motivated Lab Manager to join our dynamic clinical-translational research team dedicated to advancing discoveries in maternal-child health and asthma prevention. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in cutting-edge research aimed at improving lives and shaping the future of asthma prevention and treatment.

As a Lab Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of a collaborative and fast-paced laboratory, supervising a team of 2 research assistants, and ensuring the smooth execution of biospecimen processing, testing, storage, tracking, aliquoting, and shipping. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and leadership skills, a passion for advancing scientific knowledge, and the ability to foster productive relationships with collaborators across the United States.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Lab Management: Provide oversight and leadership to a team of 2-3 research assistants, ensuring efficient workflow, adherence to protocols, and maintenance of a positive and productive laboratory environment.

• Biospecimen Processing: Conduct processing of maternal-child human samples, ensuring high-quality, reproducible results while adhering to rigorous scientific standards.

• Assay Development and Testing: Perform biospecimen testing and specialized assays to support research objectives, contributing to publications and presentations.

• Cell Culture: Work with human airway epithelial cells (preferred experience, but not required) and PBMCs to advance translational research goals.

• Collaboration: Build and maintain effective partnerships with collaborators across the U.S., facilitating data sharing, research alignment, and communication between multidisciplinary teams.

• Organization and Reporting: Maintain accurate lab records, coordinate inventory management, complete annual compliance and training reporting, develop lab-focused grant budgets and prepare reports for regulatory and scientific purposes.

• Scientific Advancement: Support the Center’s mission to advance its scientific agenda by contributing to innovative research projects and fostering a culture of inquiry and discovery.

• Teamwork: Work effectively in a team-oriented environment, promoting collaboration, mentorship, and mutual respect among lab members.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field, or relevant experience preferred.

• Five years' experience required. Three plus (3+) years of experience in a research or clinical laboratory setting, with prior supervisory experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated expertise in biospecimen processing and testing; experience with laboratory organization and oversight.

• Familiarity with human airway epithelial cells is preferred but not required.

• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.

• Proven leadership abilities with a collaborative and positive management style.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with internal and external collaborators.

• Passion for advancing science and contributing to impactful research in maternal-child health and asthma prevention.

Why Join Us?
The Center for Asthma Research is home to an innovative and interdisciplinary team committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families. As part of our team, you will have the opportuni