Lab Manager (Maternity Cover) Full-time NEW

Labor Manager (Maternity Cover)

Help shape the future of hearing and balance research

Are you an experienced laboratory professional looking for an opportunity to lead laboratory operations within a world-leading research environment?

The UCL Ear Institute is seeking a proactive and highly organised Laboratory Manager (Maternity Cover) to play a pivotal role in supporting our internationally recognised research and teaching activities. Working at the heart of one of the world's leading centres for hearing, deafness and balance research, you will help ensure our laboratories, facilities and research infrastructure operate safely, efficiently and to the highest professional standards.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong laboratory experience who is ready to broaden their leadership and operational management expertise within a complex and dynamic higher education environment.

UCL Ear Institute is part of the Faculty of Brain Sciences and is internationally recognised as the UK's premier multidisciplinary centre for research into hearing and deafness. We bring together leading researchers, clinicians, educators and professional services staff to deliver groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that improve lives worldwide. Through our partnerships with the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, we form Europe's largest grouping of audio-vestibular discovery and clinical scientists.

The Institute is home to approximately 75 staff and supports a diverse portfolio of hearing science, auditory neuroscience and clinical research, underpinned by specialist laboratory facilities and shared research infrastructure. We are proud of our strong commitment to sustainability, inclusion and operational excellence, holding Athena Swan Silver accreditation together with Gold accreditation through Green Impact and LEAF.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Operations, with a dotted line to the Institute Director, you will lead the day-to-day management of shared laboratories and associated research facilities across the Institute. You will work closely with academic, technical and professional services colleagues to ensure laboratories remain safe, compliant, well-equipped and fully operational.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing all shared laboratory facilities and identifying opportunities for service improvement.
• Overseeing laboratory equipment procurement, maintenance, servicing and calibration.
• Acting as a key contact for laboratory refurbishment, relocation and infrastructure projects.
• Leading on laboratory health and safety compliance, audits, inspections, inductions and risk management.
• Supporting sustainability initiatives, including LEAF and Green Impact activities.
• Managing laboratory databases, records and inventory systems.
• Overseeing laboratory-related procurement and expenditure, ensuring value for money and compliance with UCL procedures.
• Line managing a Cell and Molecular Laboratory Technician.

This is a fixed-term maternity cover position for 13 months. The post has been created to provide cover during a period of maternity leave and is expected to end on the return of the substantive post-holder or at the end of the fixed-term period, whichever is sooner. The post is also available as a secondment opportunity for eligible internal applicants, subject to agreement from their current line manager.

For an informal discussion, please contact Aisling Muller at aisling.muller@ucl.ac.uk

About You

We are looking for an individual who combines strong scientific understanding with excellent operational and relationship-management skills.

You will have:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Practical experience working within a research laboratory environment.
• Strong knowledge of molecular and cell biology and laboratory techniques.
• Experience managing stakeholders across research teams and external partners.
• A good understanding of laboratory health and safety regulations and compliance requirements.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in laboratory management, line management, project management, higher education and the use of university finance systems would be advantageous

This maternity cover role offers a unique opportunity to gain leadership experience within a complex research-intensive institute while contributing directly to cutting-edge scientific research and education. You will work closely with senior academic and professional services leaders and benefit from being part of the wider technical and professional services community across UCL's Faculty of Brain Sciences.

What We Offer

Starting salary offered at £43,981 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.