Job Title

Key leadership role responsible for the overall operation, scientific direction, and compliance of a laboratory where experiments involve handling liquids, chemicals, and biological materials. This position requires a blend of scientific expertise, management skills, and a commitment to safety and quality standards. Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesA wet lab director's responsibilities are broad and cover several areas:Operational Oversight: Overseeing daily laboratory operations to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and proper resource allocation.Safety and Compliance: Developing, implementing, and enforcing safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., OSHA, CLIA). They often act as the primary contact for regulatory inspections.Personnel Management: Managing laboratory staff, which includes hiring, training, mentoring, performance evaluations, and creating staffing plans.Research and Development Support: Collaborating with principal investigators (PIs), faculty, and R&D teams to align scientific objectives, develop new assays and methodologies, and provide technical guidance.Quality Assurance: Establishing and maintaining quality control measures and systems to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of results.Equipment and Inventory Management: Overseeing the maintenance, calibration, and procurement of lab equipment and supplies. This includes managing inventory systems and coordinating repairs.Budget and Finance: Monitoring and managing the laboratory budget, including processing purchase orders and assisting with grant writing or securing funding.Communication and Reporting: Preparing and presenting reports on lab activities, findings, and data to internal and external stakeholders and leadership. Qualifications and SkillsEducation: A Master's or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology, molecular biology, chemistry, or a related field is typically required.Experience: Extensive experience in a laboratory setting, with several years in laboratory management or a supervisory role, is strongly preferred.Technical Skills: In-depth knowledge of advanced laboratory techniques, equipment, data analysis tools, and laboratory information systems (LIS).Soft Skills: Strong leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, and communication skills are essential for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and managing staff effectively.Certifications/Licensing: In clinical or public health settings, specific certifications (e.g., ASCP) or compliance with CLIA directorship requirements may be necessary.