Lab Operations Manager

About Apriori Bio

Apriori is working to create a world that is protected against viral threats. Our pioneering approach centers on a unique technology platform, Octavia™, which allows us to survey the entire landscape of existing and potential variants to design new vaccines against the most threatening viruses. Octavia can also inform public health policy in real time by predicting the impact of emerging variants. Apriori was founded in 2020 in Flagship Labs, a unit of Flagship Pioneering.

Apriori Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company with an ambitious and exciting mission: to provide humanity with variant-resilient protection against rapidly-evolving viruses.  The company is developing a revolutionary approach to this challenge and recruiting a team of top-tier scientists to develop its Octavia™ platform.

Position Summary:

The Lab Operations Manager at Apriori Bio will oversee the daily operations of our cutting-edge laboratory facilities. This role is integral to the success of our research teams, providing critical support to ensure that all laboratory activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with best practices. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and possesses excellent leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management:

• • Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external communications related to laboratory operations (e.g. Facilities, Institutional Biosafety Committee, vendors, service providers, etc)
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to support ongoing research: identify and address workflow bottlenecks, inefficiencies, opportunities for process improvement, and logistic or administrative issues in the lab

• Foster a culture of teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Manage sample inventory and tracking system for preclinical samples and test articles/ reagents
• Operational Efficiency:
• Monitor lab supply inventory, ensuring timely procurement and optimal stock levels for laboratory consumables
• Coordinate equipment ordering, delivery and setup, maintenance, calibration, and repair schedules to minimize downtime, including through service contracts or preventive maintenance
• Coordinate outgoing lab deliveries and shipments

• • Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to optimize lab activities
  • Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve operational problems, and address occasional lab emergencies.

• Safety and Compliance:

• • Ensure all lab activities comply with safety regulations and company policies
  • Coordinate annual lab permits and license renewals
  • Oversee lab safety and regulatory compliance, including tracking of biologics, chemicals, and hazardous materials, and implementing PPE policies and lab safety rules

• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments, implementing corrective actions as necessary
• Budget Management:
• Assist in the management of the lab operations budget; monitor expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality
• Project Coordination:
• Collaborate with research teams to prioritize and allocate laboratory resources effectively
• Support project timelines by ensuring timely delivery of lab services and supplies
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams to address operational challenges

Basic Qualifications:

• B.S. or M.S. in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, immunology, or related field
• 5+ years of experience working in a laboratory environment (biotech or pharma preferred)

• Experience with tissue culture and aseptic techniques for cellular and molecular biology
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills; effective and proactive communication and ability to collaborate with a wide array of personalities and work styles, and across functional areas
• Proficiency in using laboratory management software and tools
• A high level of initiative, good judgment, and the ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Knowledge of local, state, and applicable federal regulations relating to lab safety
• Great attention to detail, including a proven ability to manage competing priorities
• Strong work ethic and an ability to think strategically and execute methodically

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience working in a biotech / pharmaceutical lab environment
• Experience with both direct and indirect supervision of lab staff
• Familiarity with the Cambridge Biosafety Committee and its workings
• Broad understanding of life sciences research and development including High Throughput Screening technologies and operations
• Experience with procurement and negotiation of goods and services in a lab environment
• Experience working with accepted frameworks for project and process management

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.