Research Laboratory Manager Jobs
Research laboratory manager jobs are open from entry-level lab coordinator roles to senior and director positions across biotech, pharmaceuticals, academia, and government research, with common specializations in clinical research, materials science, and molecular biology. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 139+ Research Laboratory Manager jobs
- 538507
- Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Mining and Minerals Engineering
- Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Other
- Research / Scientific
Show More Show Less
- Wage (Hourly)
- Virginia Tech
Job Description
The Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks a qualified, highly motivated individual to support laboratory-based mineral processing, characterization, and chemical separations for mining and minerals research. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and outside collaborators and is expected to play an active role in the research conducted in Dr. Aaron Noble’s group, which focuses on critical material recovery from unconventional sources. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate to gain hands-on laboratory and analytical experience in a rapidly growing research field with a nationally recognized department.
The Laboratory Research Assistant will be responsible for sample intake and organization, following established laboratory procedures and safety protocols for chemical separations and/or sample processing, and compiling and analyzing analytical data. Due to the broad range of research activities, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of organization and an ability and desire to learn new methods and procedures. The successful candidate will assist with development of standard operating procedures for new testing protocols and train new users as needed. The Laboratory Research Assistant will also have the opportunity to co-author products that emerge from these efforts including sponsor reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Required Qualifications
- Experience or coursework in geology, mining, environmental science, or a related field
- Ability to follow established safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Basic computer skills for data entry and reporting (Excel or similar)
- History of strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sample preparation and/or processing equipment (e.g., jaw crushers, shatter boxes, sieve stacks, automatic fluxing equipment, etc.)
- Experience in general wet laboratory practices and safety procedures (specifically acid handling and safety)
- Experience with sample collection, labeling, and processing protocols
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$17/hr - $30/hr
Hours per week
up to 40
Review Date
November 30th, 2026
Additional Information
Final candidate will need to be approved by sponsoring agencies.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Annie Lawrence at annie.lawrence@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
- 538507
- Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Mining and Minerals Engineering
- Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Other
- Research / Scientific
Show More Show Less
- Wage (Hourly)
- Virginia Tech
Job Description
The Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks a qualified, highly motivated individual to support laboratory-based mineral processing, characterization, and chemical separations for mining and minerals research. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and outside collaborators and is expected to play an active role in the research conducted in Dr. Aaron Noble’s group, which focuses on critical material recovery from unconventional sources. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate to gain hands-on laboratory and analytical experience in a rapidly growing research field with a nationally recognized department.
The Laboratory Research Assistant will be responsible for sample intake and organization, following established laboratory procedures and safety protocols for chemical separations and/or sample processing, and compiling and analyzing analytical data. Due to the broad range of research activities, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of organization and an ability and desire to learn new methods and procedures. The successful candidate will assist with development of standard operating procedures for new testing protocols and train new users as needed. The Laboratory Research Assistant will also have the opportunity to co-author products that emerge from these efforts including sponsor reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Required Qualifications
- Experience or coursework in geology, mining, environmental science, or a related field
- Ability to follow established safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Basic computer skills for data entry and reporting (Excel or similar)
- History of strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sample preparation and/or processing equipment (e.g., jaw crushers, shatter boxes, sieve stacks, automatic fluxing equipment, etc.)
- Experience in general wet laboratory practices and safety procedures (specifically acid handling and safety)
- Experience with sample collection, labeling, and processing protocols
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$17/hr - $30/hr
Hours per week
up to 40
Review Date
November 30th, 2026
Additional Information
Final candidate will need to be approved by sponsoring agencies.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Annie Lawrence at annie.lawrence@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Research Laboratory Manager Jobs by Experience Level
See All 139+ Research Laboratory Manager Jobs
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Find JobsResearch Laboratory Manager Job Market
Who's Hiring
- University of Pittsburgh16
- University of Colorado7
- Creighton University6
- University of Miami5
- Virginia Tech4
Top Industries Hiring
- Education14
- Healthcare & Medical Services4
- Science & Research1
- Agriculture & Farming1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research laboratory manager jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a life science, chemistry, or related field
- 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible laboratory experience including supervisory duties
- Demonstrated knowledge of GLP, GMP, or ISO quality and safety standards
- Proficiency with laboratory information management systems and instrument software
- Experience managing laboratory budgets, procurement, and vendor relationships
- Familiarity with OSHA, EPA, and institutional biosafety committee compliance requirements
Tips for Your Research Laboratory Manager Job Search
Tailor your resume to lab scale
Hiring managers want to know how many staff you supervised and what annual operating budget you managed. Quantify both on your resume so screeners can immediately gauge whether your experience matches the lab's size and complexity.
List every compliance credential you hold
Certifications like CLIA, GLP, GMP, and ISO 15189 are often listed as required, not preferred. Put them in a dedicated credentials section near the top of your resume so they aren't buried under job descriptions.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research laboratory manager openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by laboratory type
A clinical diagnostics lab and an academic research lab need very different managers. Search specifically for the lab environment you know, whether that's BSL-2 containment, pharmaceutical QC, or core facility operations, so your application speaks directly to what that team does.
Prepare a scenario answer about equipment failure
Interviewers for laboratory management roles almost always ask how you've handled instrument downtime, vendor disputes, or supply chain shortages. Walk through a real incident using a situation-action-result structure and lead with the operational impact you prevented.
Negotiate start date around grant cycles
Many academic and government lab manager roles are funded by grants with fiscal-year deadlines. If you're negotiating your start date, ask when the next reporting period begins so you can position yourself as someone who understands the funding rhythm from day one.
Research Laboratory Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research laboratory managers?
The most active employers for research laboratory managers right now are University of Pittsburgh, University of Colorado, and Creighton University, and the most openings are in Pennsylvania, California, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to concentrate in organizations with large research pipelines, including pharmaceutical companies, hospital systems, and research universities.
How many research laboratory manager jobs are remote?
About 18% of research laboratory manager openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most lab environments. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility are regulatory affairs, data management, and lab informatics roles where on-site instrument oversight is not required.
How do you become a research laboratory manager?
Start with a degree in a relevant science field, then build several years of bench-level experience so you understand the work you'll eventually oversee. Move into a lead or senior scientist role where you take on scheduling, training, or inventory duties, then pursue formal management responsibilities. Earning a quality or safety certification like GLP or ISO strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Can you get hired as a research laboratory manager without direct management experience?
Yes, especially if you've informally led projects, trained junior staff, or managed shared equipment in a core facility. Emphasize those responsibilities explicitly on your resume rather than burying them in a list of technical duties. Smaller labs and startups are more likely to hire a strong senior scientist into a first-time manager role than large institutions with formal ladders.
What does the research laboratory manager interview process look like?
Most processes include a phone screen with HR, a technical interview with the department head or principal investigator, and a panel interview with the broader team you'd supervise. Some employers ask you to present a past project or a plan for improving lab operations. Reference checks are common and often include former direct reports, not just supervisors.
Where can I find and apply to research laboratory manager jobs?
You can find and apply to research laboratory manager jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits your experience, lab type, and location preferences.
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