About Active Site
Active Site is a nonprofit researching the intersection of AI and biosecurity. AI models are rapidly becoming more capable in biology, amplifying the risk of accidental or intentional misuse. We conduct "uplift" studies, observing participants in real-world wet labs to measure how AI augments human performance in biological experimentation. We use our findings to advance the science of risk assessments and implement concrete mitigations that safeguard the future of AIxBio.
The Role
We are seeking a Lab Operations Manager with experience running large biology labs (50+ scientists) focused on microbiology, virology, and molecular biology. You will lead all aspects of our lab operations, including:
Inventory & supply chain: Head inventory stocking and tracking as well as manage supply chain to ensure we are never out-of-stock or bottle-necked by backorders. Forecast and maintain live measurements of R&D spending. Implement streamlined and automated solutions to manage orders, shipping & receiving, and existing inventory. Build and maintain vendor relationships to source discounts and accelerate timelines.
Equipment management: Implement and manage shared equipment booking software. Lead equipment acquisition and sales for studies. Own asset tagging and tracking. Coordinate equipment maintenance, calibration, and certification.
Environmental Health & Safety (EHS): Maintain and comply with our rDNA, flammable, cryogenic, and waste management permits. Serve as our biosafety and chemical hygiene officer. Lead our Institutional Biosafety Committee. Ensure all employees are trained in and comply with our biosafety policies. Lead incident response and inspection-ready record-keeping.
Facility & infrastructure: Serve as the point-of-contact with our landlord, cleaning vendor, and waste management vendor. Oversee cold-storage monitoring and be on-call in rare cases of equipment failure.
General operations: Implement a lab chore system and ensure team compliance for an organized lab.
Biologics production and evaluation: Assist with producing and assessing biologics for uplift studies, including PCR, plasmid preps, and mammalian cell banking.
In-person study operations: Work with the Head of Operations to coordinate and eventually lead participant recruiting, day-of activities, communication, tracking, and post-study evaluations to help us continuously get better.
Organizational operations: Collaborate with the Head of Operations and outsourced vendors outside of active study periods to maintain HR, finances, IT, and legal.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 3-6 months, you will have:
Set up a 7,000 square foot BSL-2 lab with appropriate equipment, permits, and processes.
Implemented an ordering and inventory system that efficiently tracks and stocks our core workflows.
Launched a seamless and intuitive equipment booking system for shared equipment that supports large in-person studies.
Established systems for asset management, calibration, and repair.
Within the first year, you will have:
Led recruitment and operations for one in-person study, using a repeatable process for participant communications, scheduling, space logistics, and debriefs.
Coordinated with the Head of Operations and vendors to level up our HR, finances, legal, and IT.
Competencies and qualificationsRequired
BA in Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field, or equivalent experience
2+ years of experience in lab operations with at least a year managing a large research group (50+ scientists)
Experience implementing and optimizing lab systems: LIMS, procurement, inventory tracking, inventory budgeting, equipment booking, equipment repair/maintenance
2 years of hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, plasmid preparation, and PCR
Preferred
Experience in lab safety and compliance operations, including biological/chemical safety, IBC meeting coordination, hazardous materials permitting (waste, flammables, cryogenics, gases, rDNA), and equipment asset management
Experience with human research or other participant/customer-facing operations (e.g., recruiting/scheduling participants, running study sessions in different settings)
Hands-on experience in designing & building automated solutions to operational problems
Experience building a non-profit or startup
Enthusiasm about or experience in biosecurity, with the desire to learn fast and orient quickly in a new context.
Great candidates typically embody our core values:
Truth-seeking: We chase the truth in order to keep us on the path to our mission.
Drive: We take initiative and ownership over all our actions in dedication to our mission.
Care: We ultimately do what we do because we care about each other and the world.
If this role sounds exciting and you meet most of the requirements, we'd love to hear from you.
Salary and benefits
This is a full-time, in-person role, reporting to the Head of Operations and is based in our office in Cambridge, MA. The starting salary range is $100,000 to $130,000 per year, depending on prior experience. We offer:
Comprehensive healthcare coverage:
Medical: 100% Employer-Paid Premiums via UnitedHealthCare.
Dental & Vision: 75% Employer-Paid Premiums via BlueCross BlueShield and Guardian.
4 weeks of PTO
12 weeks of fully-paid parental leave
401(k) with 4% match
Annual professional development budget
Relocation support
Office setup
Work Authorization
This position is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals currently authorized to work in the U.S.
Visa Sponsorship: We welcome candidates on F-1 OPT status and will consider H-1B sponsorship for qualified individuals who are currently residing in the United States. We can only sponsor Change of Status or Transfer petitions and cannot sponsor candidates who are outside the U.S. and would require consular processing.
Referral bonus
We offer a referral bonus of up to $2,500 to individuals who refer successful candidates for this position:
If you refer a candidate that we invite to a work trial, you will receive $250.
If the candidate receives a job offer from us, you will receive a further $750, for a total of $1,000.
If the candidate is still working with us after the initial three month contract, you will receive a further $1,500, for a total of $2,500.
To receive these bonuses, we must reasonably believe that you were responsible for referring the candidate to us (e.g. due to you introducing them to us when we didn't previously know them, or them mentioning you on their application as the reason they heard about the position).
Our Hiring Process
No fixed deadline. We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis and aim to move quickly. If you're interested, we recommend applying soon.
Step 1 Submit Your Application
Step 2 Screening Call
Step 3 Hiring Manager / Team Interview
Step 4 Paid Remote Work Test
Step 5 In-Person Work Test
Step 6 Offer
Equal Opportunity and Accommodations
Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or gender expression, ancestry, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) is an E-Verify employer. Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of this job, please let us know.