Assistant Director, Lab Operations

The Organization

As an independent research organization, the Morgridge Institute for Research explores uncharted scientific territory to discover tomorrow’s cures. In affiliation with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we support researchers who take a fearless approach to advancing human health in emerging fields such as virology, advanced multi-scale fluorescence and electron microscopy, metabolism and regenerative biology. Through public programming, we work to inspire scientific curiosity in everyday life.

The Opportunity:

The Assistant Director–Lab Operations manages day-to-day laboratory activities, partnering with Dr. Bartels to deliver project and institute goals while coordinating across internal teams and external collaborators. Core responsibilities include overseeing budgets, schedules, and procedures; leading purchasing, ordering, and inventory; handling external communications; and coordinating with Morgridge staff and stakeholders. The role also supports grant writing—both submissions and reports—and oversees safety programs to ensure documented compliance.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the laboratory; oversee maintenance of laboratory and equipment, order equipment, and supervise new equipment delivery and setup; implement and oversee allocation of purchases to projects. Plan and implement policies and procedures; ensure efficient lab operations plus quality control and compliance.
• Negotiate and purchase lab equipment, supplies and services, managing inventories and tracking needs to support lab operations through the internal procurement system. Acquire quotes from vendors and submit purchase requisitions. Ensure purchases are made in compliance with internal and funding agency policies and regulations.
• Oversee and enforce safety and facility use guidelines, standard operating procedures, and other relevant regulatory requirements such as animal use; provide access to training for all staff and facility users in appropriate procedures and regulatory compliance; oversee compliance with standards set by federal and state mandates, regulations, rules and laws.
• Support grant submissions: monitor opportunities; copy-edit proposals; build budgets/justifications; coordinate subawards; assemble compliance (biosketches, current and pending, protocols); interpret sponsor/institute policies.
• Manage grant operations: track expenditures; lead interim/final reports and status meetings; handle pre/post-award (annual reports, effort, salary allocations, protocols); and coordinate with Sponsored Programs/sponsors to meet all deadlines.
• Attend meetings as necessary and generate meeting notes; provide assistance with projects, as necessary, to support the research objectives of the lab.
• Assist with onboarding new team members, and transitioning employees to new positions
• Assist with patent applications and MTAs.
• Coordinate with building/property management officials for building maintenance issues related to operation of the laboratory.
• Coordinate professional development training opportunities for postdocs and students, including helping locate and communicate fellowship opportunities.
• Miscellaneous duties as required.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management and financial analysis
• At least 3 years of experience in grant management and grant submissions

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work with large amounts of data, interpret financial records, detect errors, and prepare financial reports
• High proficiency with databases and spreadsheet programs
• Working knowledge of laboratory requirements for compliance
• Ability to process information effectively to identify and define problems and make decisions
• Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate proposed programs and expenditures
•  Excellent leadership and technical skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills with an ability to effectively communicate within all levels of the organization
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to work with others in a focused laboratory setting
• Ability to lead, develop, and mentor staff
• Familiarity in preparing reports using Overleaf or another LaTeX editor preferred