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 decisions are made using a consistent leveling framework and consider the candidate’s experience, interview performance, and expected impact.

This role is eligible for:

• Annual performance-based target bonus
• Stock options
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Flexible paid time off and holidays
• Perks including on-site gym, onsite lunch, and commuter support

Our compensation ranges are reviewed annually to ensure alignment with market trends and internal equity.

We value different experiences and ways of thinking and believe the most talented teams are built by bringing together people of diverse cultures, genders, and backgrounds.

We value different experiences and ways of thinking and believe the most talented teams are built by bringing together people of diverse cultures, genders, and backgrounds.