Laboratory Management Lead

About The Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in
animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats. This important research would not be possible without the proportionate use of animals, which are integral to the development of new disease controlmeasures such as vaccines and diagnostics. We have an establishment-wide commitment to the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement), high standards of animal welfare, a culture of care and openness.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and
contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.

About the role
The Laboratory Management Lead provides strategic and operational leadership to the Lab Management Group, delivering cohesive and coordinated laboratory operating services across all laboratory areas at Pirbright. The role acts as the key interface between science users and operational support, including the
Facility Management Lead, EMS Technical Experts, HSBS, Animal Services and Quality & Assurance, to ensure effective planning and delivery of shutdowns, maintenance and equipment servicing, minimising disruption to science and ensuring effective management of all applicable risks in laboratory environments.

The postholder works closely with Group Leaders and Fellows to understand, translates the Institute’s Science Strategy into efficient laboratory management practices, enhancing science output and impact through a highly service-oriented and solution-focused approach. The role also works alongside the Biological Safety Officer and Head of Health, Safety & Environment to support control of health, safety and biological risks in laboratories.

Reporting to the Director of Risk & Assurance, the role ensures that laboratory spaces — housing critical equipment, diverse users and significant material hazards — are managed safely, effectively and consistently. The Laboratory Management Lead manages all Pirbright Lab Managers, across all containment level, promoting best practice, streamlined processes, consistent workflows and high-quality support to science across the institute

The role holds a standing position at Science Committee, providing updates at each meeting on priorities, performance and resolution of issues, and engages with Group Leaders as required regarding works impacting laboratory access or use. The role is also a member of Risk Committee. Upon appointment, the postholder will agree science needs and priorities with Science Committee and SLB, and develop an operational plan including reviewing Lab Manager responsibilities in partnership with the Director of Risk & Assurance.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Management Leadership

• Lead the Laboratory Management Group at Pirbright (the Plowright SAPO4, CL3, CL2, and Insectary Laboratory Managers and associated Laboratory Technicians).
• Act as the lead for decision-making and liaison between science users and operational functions ( EMS, HSBS and QA) to reduce issues arising in the running of laboratory areas, and delegating responsibility to the respective Laboratory Managers as appropriate.
• Hold delegated management authority from SLB to halt any science, EMS works, contractor works or other activities which may be in breach of the Institute SAPO Licence or other biosafety or health & safety requirements or pose any other substantial risk.
• Ensure the Lab Management Group are proactive and efficient in managing their lab spaces.

Operational Coordination & Equipment Management

• Proactively engage with all science users to identify science needs and avoid downtime or other disruption to science programmes.
• Develop and coordinate programmes of maintenance, servicing and cleaning for laboratory areas in liaison with the EMS Facilities and Engineering Managers, ensuring minimum disruption to science (delivery responsibility for cleaning and maintenance sits with the EMS Facilities Manager).
• Ensure the Laboratory Managers develop a programme of maintenance, calibration and servicing activities for scientific equipment to ensure suitable co-ordination of all maintenance activities, working with the Engineering and Science Equipment Helpdesk and EMS Engineering
• Ensure effective management of science assets, lifecycle to control scientific equipment by area of responsibility ensuring documentation records, contracts and certificates are maintained through the designated documentation system(s).
• Ensure the Laboratory Management Group applies effective management of change processes for laboratory spaces, equipment and work allocation.
• Responsible for budgetary forecasting for, and control of, scientific equipment.
• Identifying future equipment requirements, including funding and specification, and generation of funding applications.

Strategic Science Contribution

• Engage with science leaders and other key stakeholders to understand science requirements and translate these into a Laboratory Management Operational Plan.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the science delivered at Pirbright, including laboratory use and equipment requirements.
• Contribute to the design of future infrastructure requirements and foster initiatives to identify improvements, better ways of working, and improved sustainability.

Safety & Compliance

• Proactively promote and support health, safety, biosafety and environmental compliance in laboratory spaces and ensure adoption of best practice in laboratory management.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant health, safety, biosafety, environmental and QA standards and requirements as relevant to laboratory work and spaces.
• Act as host and facilitator for audits and inspections of laboratory spaces, whether internal or external, coordinate responses to audit and inspection findings, and support investigations of laboratory incidents to ensure timely resolution and prevention of recurrence.

Line Management & Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, coaching and performance management to the Lab Management Group, including objective setting and professional development.
• Coordinate staffing schedules to ensure cross-laboratory cover and operational resilience.
• Support recruitment, induction and training of new Lab Management Group employees.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and safety-focused working environment.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it.  Responsibilities may change to carry out other duties as may be reasonably required by the line manager and may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing need of The Pirbright Institute.

Role Requirements

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in biosciences or a related discipline.
• Significant experience working within regulated laboratory environments, including high-containment facilities.
• Substantial laboratory management experience, including oversight or coordination of multiple laboratory areas within a complex operational setting.
• Proven line management experience, including performance management, development and leadership of technical teams or managers.
• Demonstrable experience identifying hazards, conducting risk assessments and implementing appropriate control and mitigation measures in high-consequence environments.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant health, safety, biosafety, environmental and quality standards applicable to laboratory operations.
• Experience of planning and coordinating maintenance, servicing and other operational activities to minimise disruption to science programmes.
• Experience of supporting audits, inspections and regulatory compliance activity, and responding to findings appropriately.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgement, including the confidence to escalate or halt unsafe or unacceptable activity where required.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with scientific, operational and assurance functions at all levels.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a complex and high-risk environment.
• Proficient IT skills, including experience using laboratory, asset or service management systems.
• Willingness and ability to work within all containment facilities on site.

Desirable

• Experience working within CL3/CL4 or equivalent high-containment laboratory environments.
• Experience operating within a formal quality management framework (e.g. ISO or equivalent).
• Experience developing SOPs, risk assessments and technical documentation.
• Experience contributing to laboratory infrastructure planning or space optimisation.
• Experience managing laboratory asset databases or service management systems (e.g. TOPdesk or equivalent).
• Experience rearing arthropods for scientific study.

What Pirbright offers you

•  Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
•  25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus public and privilege days
•  Buy and sell annual leave
•  Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave
•  Pirbright gym with subsidised membership
•  Pirbright social club
•  Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
•  Cycle to work
•  Subsidised staff restaurant
•  Childcare allowance
•  Free onsite parking
•  Electric Car charging facilities 

Ready to make a difference?

If you are an experienced laboratory management professional seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity within a prestigious scientific institute, we encourage you to apply. 

Please submit your CV and a compelling cover letter outlining your experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.

We look forward to hearing from you!