Core Lab Manager

The Core Manager is part of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB) at Vanderbilt University and is a manager responsible for oversight and maintenance of the resources and core facilities within the department. This position reports directly to the Chair of CDB. The Core Manager oversees a large and broad group of scientific instruments in the CDB and VBI Shared Resource that are located mostly within MRB3 but also in PRB and MRB4. The Core Manager is responsible for organizing user access and charge back, maintenance of the equipment, training of new users, and working with the equipment committee on decisions about service agreements and new instrumentation purchases.

Job Description

The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology is a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment for cutting-edge biological research. We are an interactive and highly collaborative unit, with strong graduate student associations, outstanding core facilities, and exceptionally strong faculty.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Core Manager oversees and executes the day-to-day flow of CDB shared resources and scientific instruments. 
• The person hired for this position will perform routine maintenance on equipment, maintain supplies, and stock them throughout the CDB equipment cores, walk core spaces daily and identify issues needing to be addressed, replenish log sheets and generate monthly billing reports, appropriately record and update core usage reports monthly, respond to faculty and Resource User requests for help, work with the leadership from both cores to resolve problems, and assist with training on core instruments. 
• The Core Manager is also responsible for annual rate work books and for use charges, using the iLAB system to document services provided and ensure services are appropriately billed.

The Core Manager will execute the day to day flow of the facility

• Check all core equipment daily for required service needs on instruments.
• Read equipment manuals and plan quarterly or annual maintenance for various instruments according to manufacturer and university guidelines.
• Report outages to Resource Users who will be immediately impacted. Provide projected time for repairs to be completed and give Resource Users alternative options to get their work done. Communicate any delays with equipment outages.
• Clean and maintain equipment which may include centrifuges, microscopes, scintillation and other radioactive counters, shaking incubators, autoclaves, film processors, etc.
• Place Plant Operations work orders when needed.
• Provide core lab services information to individuals utilizing the core including: minimum requirements for services, cost, etc.
• Train personnel on equipment and software per core guidelines.

Ensure the core laboratories are prepared for experiments

• Ensure that appropriate levels of supplies are always on hand.
• Place requisitions for specific consumables utilized daily in the core.
• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogens)
• Ensure departmental cryostorage tank is maintained and has an uninterrupted source of liquid nitrogen. Assist personnel with filling lab cryotanks with liquid nitrogen, as needed.

Walk core space daily and identify potential issues which may impact the core’s performance.

• Walk core facilities daily and inspect each instrument/area for potential problems.
• Interact with lab personnel frequently to discuss concerns they or their lab may be having with equipment.
• Formulate an appropriate resolution for any issues and execute the plan with excellence.
• Communicate important issues with core leadership.

Under minimal supervision, provide administrative and financial support for core billing and services.

• Generate monthly billing and usage reports and maintain financial records.
• Utilize the CORES system for documenting services provided and to ensure services are appropriately billed to clients.
• Maintain all records as electronic copies on departmental server in an organized fashion.
• Assist with itemization of expenses and budgeting.

Supervisor Relationship 

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Chair of CDB and departmental equipment committee.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a biology field from an accredited institution is necessary.
• Two years of laboratory management experience is necessary
• Ability to solve practical problems
• Understand how various scientific instruments work
• Have an eye for detail and an ability for basic accounting
• Ability to deal constructively with trainees, sales reps, and maintenance personnel