Research Laboratory Manager - Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology

Research Laboratory Manager - Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Within the Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology department, this role supports complex translational and preclinical research programs through comprehensive laboratory operations, animal research oversight, regulatory compliance, and resource management.

The Research Laboratory Manager - Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology serves as a critical leader responsible for laboratory administration, safety oversight, personnel coordination, inventory management, and research operations. The Research Laboratory Manager - Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology partners closely with investigators, administrative teams, research staff, and institutional offices to ensure efficient laboratory performance. The Research Laboratory Manager - Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology plays a central role in maintaining compliance, supporting scientific discovery, and enabling successful execution of laboratory and animal research programs.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience supporting laboratory operations within the department of Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology. Preferred qualifications include experience managing complex laboratory operations, animal research programs, IACUC protocols, regulatory compliance activities, laboratory safety programs, inventory and equipment management, purchasing, financial oversight, and personnel training. The successful candidate will possess strong knowledge of departmental processes, institutional policies, electronic laboratory notebook systems, and collaborations with research administration, Environmental Health & Safety, Veterinary Medicine, Pathology, and other institutional partners. A proven ability to lead laboratory operations, support investigators and research staff, manage competing priorities, and maintain regulatory compliance in a fast-paced research setting is highly desired.

Minimum\: $37.74/hour – Midpoint\: $47.12/hour – Maximum\: $56.49/hour

Work Location\: Onsite
Typical Work Schedule\: Days

Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, this position provides the opportunity to support innovative cancer research while leading essential laboratory operations that directly impact scientific advancement. The role offers meaningful collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, exposure to cutting-edge research programs, opportunities for professional growth, and a comprehensive benefits package that supports both career development and work-life balance.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance. • Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options. • Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups. • Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities

Laboratory Management
• Manage overall laboratory operations including equipment, supplies, inventories, expenditures, and facility organization
• Serve as primary laboratory contact for equipment, alarms, repairs, maintenance, vendors, Biomedical Engineering, biosafety, and support services
• Provide laboratory safety orientation and oversee training on proper use and care of common laboratory equipment
• Maintain laboratory safety documentation including MSDS, Emergency Plans, EHSA records, safety plans, and training logs
• Coordinate inspections with Environmental Health & Safety and implement corrective actions for identified deficiencies
• Develop, review, revise, and implement laboratory safety protocols, SOPs, and operational procedures
• Oversee electronic laboratory notebook utilization, data storage protocols, and serve as ELN superuser
• Supervise tissue culture facilities, quality control activities, policy implementation, and compliance monitoring
• Manage laboratory purchasing, inventory control, equipment disposal, and expenditure tracking
• Maintain regulatory compliance for animal research activities and laboratory operations

Human Resources & Administrative Operations
• Determine staffing needs and partner with departmental administration and Human Resources during recruitment processes
• Conduct and coordinate applicant interviews and support personnel evaluations
• Schedule personnel to ensure adequate laboratory coverage and operational continuity
• Provide cost projections for personnel, equipment, and supplies to support grant planning and budgeting
• Assist investigators with grant application preparation and resource planning activities
• Serve as liaison between laboratory personnel and administrative, facilities, information technology, and support departments
• Act as property controller for inventoried laboratory equipment and resolve missing equipment issues
• Coordinate laboratory technology access including ELN, shared drives, OneDrive, software resources, and computer support
• Collaborate with facilities teams regarding repairs, renovations, space planning, and laboratory improvement projects
• Negotiate with vendors, obtain equipment quotes, coordinate installations, and manage service contracts

Training & Educational Activities
• Attend departmental meetings, continuing education programs, and required annual safety training
• Oversee laboratory-specific training for technicians, students, fellows, postdoctoral trainees, and research staff
• Coordinate professional development opportunities and dissemination of laboratory-related educational resources
• Supervise training related to the use of animals in research and specialized animal procedures
• Train personnel on laboratory techniques, equipment operation, supplies management, and safety procedures
• Coordinate specialized training with institutional offices and veterinary staff as needed
• Assist in training users of laboratory facilities and shared equipment resources
• Promote participation in safety and job-related educational programs to enhance staff effectiveness

Inventory Control & Purchasing
• Attend planning and financial meetings to anticipate operational and research supply needs
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure timely replenishment of consumable laboratory supplies
• Review requests for new supplies and implement purchasing activities as needed
• Maintain equipment manuals, records, and inventory documentation for all laboratory assets
• Investigate equipment replacement needs, obtain quotes, and secure required approvals
• Coordinate equipment deliveries, installations, and user training with vendors
• Evaluate service contract requirements and oversee contract administration for shared equipment
• Coordinate removal and disposal of obsolete or nonfunctional equipment
• Maintain hazardous reagent and controlled substance inventories in accordance with institutional requirements
• Monitor spending patterns, grant allocations, and resource utilization to support fiscal stewardship

Research, Regulatory Compliance & Safety
• Assist investigators and laboratory personnel with experimental planning and execution
• Coordinate and supervise laboratory animal studies and day-to-day animal research operations
• Ensure all animal research activities comply with IACUC guidelines, protocol requirements, and institutional standards
• Manage animal colonies, breeding strategies, scheduling, staffing, documentation, and sample banking activities
• Oversee dosing calculations, randomization processes, endpoints, data collection, and experimental analyses
• Train personnel in animal handling, genotyping, injections, oral gavage, imaging, tumor measurements, euthanasia, tissue collection, and recordkeeping
• Manage IACUC protocols, annual reviews, compliance visits, inspections, and regulatory reporting activities
• Serve as a resource for IACUC and IBC protocol guidance and regulatory training
• Supervise handling of radioisotopes, hazardous chemicals, biohazardous materials, and controlled substances in accordance with safety requirements
• Maintain safety records, waste management processes, inspection readiness, and collaborative relationships with Environmental Health & Safety and veterinary services