Laboratory Manager - Plant Biology Institute

About EIT:

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems. Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: Health, Medical Science and Generative Biology; Food security and Sustainable agriculture; Clean Energy Generation and Storage; and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

A cornerstone of EIT mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces to strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit.

EIT fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity’s enduring challenges.

About The Plant Biology Institute

The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of the Ellison Institute of Technology. The institute aims to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research.

The Plant Biology Institute will unite world-class researchers who are focused on expanding the frontiers of plant science. Our research is focused on enhancing our ability to feed the planet while simultaneously improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production. By embedding cutting-edge plant science research within an organisation that is focused on solving global challenges at scale, we aim to accelerate the timeline from discovery to global impact.

Areas of exploration include:

• Improved plant productivity, both indoors and outside.
• Reduced reliance on inputs including water, fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides.
• Novel decarbonised plant-based production platforms for food and medicines.
• Advanced technologies that speed up discovery and deployment in plants. 

Researchers will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities and have opportunities to collaborate with experts at the forefront of research on AI, automation, and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem. They will also work with global leaders in market development, commercialisation, and impact creation. The Plant Biology Institute has long-term substantial funding to support the unique scale and ambition of its vision.

EIT is seeking a highly organised and experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the operational, technical, and compliance functions of a rapidly expanding research laboratory in Plant Sciences. This pivotal role oversees all aspects of laboratory facility management- including safety compliance, equipment maintenance, workflow optimisation, and resource allocation - ensuring the seamless support of cutting-edge scientific research. The successful candidate will manage a multidisciplinary technical team, implement rigorous quality assurance processes, and serve as the primary liaison between scientific leadership, facilities, procurement, and regulatory stakeholders. With responsibilities spanning SOP development, space management, inventory oversight, and audit readiness, the Laboratory Manager plays a critical role in enabling scientific excellence, operational resilience, and scalability within a dynamic and mission-driven environment. 

Key Responsibilities:

Facility Management

• Oversee daily facilities of the laboratories, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards. 
• Manage laboratory technicians and stores manager, including hiring, training, mentoring, and evaluating team members to ensure optimal performance and professional development. 
• Implement and enforce laboratory safety procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, such as GM licence requirements, GLP, ISO, and other relevant standards. 
• Monitor lab conditions, including temperature, humidity, and air quality, to ensure that they meet the specifications required for operations. 

Equipment Management

• Work with laboratory technicians and the technical procurement specialist to ensure the laboratory is properly maintained and organised, with all equipment, consumables, and reagents available for research projects. 
• Manage laboratory facilities, including cleanliness, space optimisation, and ensuring that all equipment and instruments are operational. 
• Oversee maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment. Work with external vendors and service providers to maintain or repair laboratory equipment as needed. 

Operational Support

• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for relevant laboratory processes, ensuring consistency and compliance with quality standards. 
• Maintain library of up-to-date COSHH forms and risk assessments for all relevant substances within the laboratory and ensure regular monitoring, review, and updating as necessary.
• Troubleshoot technical and operational issues in workflows and provide solutions to prevent delays in project timelines. 
• Manage access / use of equipment including establishment of appropriate training procedures for new users.
• Optimise laboratory space and equipment usage to support the work of a rapidly growing research team while maintaining flexibility for diverse research projects. 

Collaboration with Research and Development Teams

• Work closely with scientific leadership to understand research objectives and adapt laboratory operations to support evolving needs. 
• Serve as the key point of contact for the central EIT facilities team and provide updates on equipment, facilities, and operational issues. Suggesting improvements or modifications for consideration.  
• Contribute to project planning and strategy, ensuring that laboratory facilities support the scientific development goals of the organisation. 
• Maintain communication with research teams, establish a scheduling system for shared facility and equipment access. Ensure improvements are identified to manage scheduling conflicts when facility restrictions are identified.  

Inventory and Supply Chain Management

• Working alongside the technical procurement specialist, laboratory technicians and relevant finance departments, manage inventory levels for laboratory consumables, reagents, and critical supplies, ensuring uninterrupted operations. 
• Track and maintain proper documentation of inventory and ensure the timely ordering of supplies to avoid stockouts or delays. 
• Maintain a system for tracking the usage, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. 

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Oversee compliance with relevant safety, regulatory, and quality standards (e.g., GLP and ISO regulations) in all aspects of laboratory operations including GMO assurance and compliance.
• Implement and maintain quality control (QC) processes for relevant processing workflows, ensuring high accuracy and reproducibility of results. 
• Participate in internal and external audits and inspections, ensuring the lab meets all compliance requirements. 
• Ensure proper documentation of processes, workflows, and sample handling procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements. 

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Educated to a minimum of BSc up to PhD in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience working in a laboratory environment, with a minimum of 2 years in a management or supervisory role. 
• Strong background in Plant Sciences, with familiarity with the requirements of molecular biology techniques, cell culture, Plant growth
• Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and quality management systems (e.g., GLP, ISO). 

Key Attributes: 

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse group of laboratory professionals. 
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in a high-tech laboratory environment. 
• Strong organisational skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects and priorities. 
• In-depth knowledge of laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, safety, and regulatory compliance. 
• Proficiency in laboratory management software, inventory systems, and data tracking tools. 
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and critical-thinking skills. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with a flexible, solutions-oriented mindset. 
• Strong commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and compliant laboratory environment.

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.