Senior Lab Operations Associate

Manifold Bio is a platform biotechnology company pioneering AI-guided protein design and massively multiplexed in vivo screening to unlock tissue-targeted medicines and organism-scale models of living systems. Using proprietary molecular barcoding technology, we screen hundreds of thousands of protein designs simultaneously in living systems, producing in vivo-validated datasets at a scale no one else can match. The datasets power our computational models, which leads to better drug designs, creating a flywheel that gets stronger with every campaign. Our team of protein engineers, biologists, and computational scientists works across this full stack to pursue programs both internally and with leading pharma companies.

Position

Manifold Bio is seeking a highly organized and proactive Senior Lab Operations Associate to support the day-to-day operations of our laboratory and facility. Reporting to the Associate Director of Operations, you will serve as a critical operational partner to our scientific teams by coordinating laboratory support activities, managing vendors and service providers, maintaining operational systems and records, and ensuring that routine laboratory operations run efficiently and reliably.

This is a highly visible, hands-on role where your effectiveness will directly impact the productivity of our scientific teams and the reliability of our research infrastructure. You will serve as the primary point of coordination for routine laboratory operations, helping scientists stay focused on advancing research while ensuring the facility, equipment, inventories, vendors, and compliance programs that support their work operate seamlessly in the background.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving problems, and takes pride in building systems that scale. You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and a willingness to jump into whatever is needed to keep the laboratory running smoothly. Whether coordinating an equipment repair, supporting a new hire's onboarding, managing a vendor visit, or improving an operational process, you approach challenges with urgency, professionalism, and a service-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

Operational Coordination

Own and manage the Lab Operations ticket queue, ensuring timely resolution or escalation of requests

Coordinate day-to-day laboratory support activities and operational priorities

Facilitate Lab Operations meetings and track follow-up actions to completion

Maintain operational documentation, inventories, department records, and laboratory operating procedures

Support onboarding and offboarding activities, including workspace setup, laboratory access, equipment coordination, and operational training

Own consumable inventory management and replenishment processes to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations

Identify operational improvement opportunities and recommend practical, scalable solutions

Scientific Partnership

Serve as the primary point of contact for routine operational support requests from scientific staff

Partner closely with scientists to identify operational needs and coordinate solutions that minimize disruption to research activities

Participate in cross-functional planning and coordination activities

Escalate competing priorities, resource constraints, and unresolved operational issues to the Associate Director of Operations

Facilities & Vendor Coordination

Coordinate routine facility maintenance, contractor activities, and service provider visits

Own vendor scheduling and preventive maintenance planning for laboratory and facility equipment

Coordinate equipment installations, repairs, calibrations, certifications, and service appointments

Obtain quotes and coordinate purchasing activities as requested

Track facility and infrastructure issues and escalate risks or unresolved concerns appropriately

EHS & Compliance

Coordinate day-to-day EHS activities and support laboratory compliance programs

Own chemical inventory management and associated recordkeeping

Coordinate hazardous waste management activities and vendor services

Maintain safety records, permits, inspections, training documentation, and compliance records

Partner with external EHS consultants and support implementation of corrective and preventive actions

Escalate compliance concerns and operational risks as appropriate

Equipment & Asset Management

Own equipment inventory records and associated lifecycle documentation

Coordinate equipment lifecycle activities including installation, maintenance, calibration, repair, and retirement

Track equipment performance issues and identify replacement or capital planning needs

Support shared equipment scheduling and utilization across scientific teams

Team Coordination

Coordinate daily activities and work assignments for the Lab Technician

Delegate routine operational tasks as appropriate

Provide training, guidance, and operational support to Lab Technician

Support execution of departmental priorities established by the Associate Director of Operations

Escalate unresolved resource conflicts, prioritization decisions, and policy exceptions to the Associate Director of Operations

Execution of additional tasks as needed to support operations

Required Qualifications

H.S. Diploma or equivalent

3+ years of laboratory operations, facilities, research support, or related experience in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic research, or laboratory environment

Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, equipment service providers, and facility-related activities

Experience maintaining laboratory inventories, equipment records, and operational documentation

Strong organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with scientists, vendors, and cross-functional teams

Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and responsiveness

Self-motivated, highly organized, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision

Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a proactive, service-oriented approach to operational challenges

Strong sense of ownership and accountability with a track record of following projects and tasks through to completion

Proficiency with common productivity software including Google Workspace

Ability to lift 40 lbs without assistance

Ability to participate in an on-call rotation to receive, assess, and respond to facility alarms outside normal business hours, including arriving on-site when critically necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, or a related scientific discipline

Experience supporting laboratory operations within a high-growth biotechnology company

Experience with EHS programs, chemical inventory systems, hazardous waste management, or laboratory compliance programs

Experience with project management platforms, ticketing systems, or inventory management software

Experience using Prendio

Experience using Adobe Acrobat or Lucid Chart

Familiarity with laboratory equipment lifecycle management, preventive maintenance programs, and service contract administration

Experience supervising, training, or coordinating the work of laboratory support personnel

Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and regulatory requirements applicable to biotechnology research environments

Experience supporting laboratory moves, expansions, facility projects, or laboratory build-outs

Compensation and benefits

Base Salary Range: $85,000–108,000

This reflects the typical offer range for this role, based on experience, role scope, and internal equity. Final compensation