About the role:

We are seeking an autonomous and proactive Lab Operations Manager / Senior Manager to join our growing team and Owkin’s development of its proprietary discovery pipeline through internal R&D.

The Lab Ops Manager will play a key role in setting up the first Owkin lab facilities and ensuring that our target validation programs run smoothly by operating a well-functioning environment. She/he will also assist in the execution of experiments by conducting established protocols related to cell and molecular biology techniques and assays.

The best person for this role has a deep understanding of the inner workings of a lab and combines her/his experience in the biology field with excellent managerial and organizational skills. This role empowers the whole Owkin lab team to be more effective and will enable it to scale as the company grows.

In particular, you will:

• Maintain the lab environment to make it an effective place to conduct research.
• Work with the BioMedical Operations and Discovery teams to understand their requirements and ensure traceability through LIMS/eLN.
• Manage and maintain a biobank (cell lines and primary sample specimens).
• Conduct lab purchasing activities and keep an updated inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Assist scientists in technical work as needed, in areas such as primary cell culture, cloning, RNAi/CRIPSR, usage of instruments/equipment related to project work, and various assays.
• Help develop and update SOPs to support experiments, taking direction from Project Leads.
• Make/maintain common media and buffers and commonly used reagents.
• Serve as primary contact for lab vendors, including supplies, chemicals, equipment maintenance and service visits.
• Oversee and maintain regulatory authorizations and laboratory policies as well as Environmental Health and Safety requirements.
• Help lead, mentor, and build experimental team.

About you

Education & Experience

• You have a BSc +5 or M.Sc. in molecular or cell biology or related fields. PhD is preferred
• You have 5+ years of experience managing lab operations (preferably in an industrial setting)
• You have hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture in particular handling primary samples
• You have experience with cell-based assays for phenotyping, functionality and viability in cell lines and primary tissues
• You have experience with general biochemistry and molecular biology techniques (western blot, ELISA, ELISpot, IHC, multiplex immunoassays, qPCR)
• You previously used LIMS/ELN systems
• You (ideally) have experience with either genome editing methods, cell transfection and/or 3D cell models

Skills &b Competencies:

• You are detailed-oriented and have exceptional organizational and record keeping skills
• You can demonstrate successful implementation of a lab end-to-end and/or implementation of leading edge protocols or technologies
• You are passionate about science and love being in the lab
• You are a great team player and like developing a supportive and inclusive work environment
• You spot small dysfunctionalities and proactively resolve them
• You are resourceful and find creative ways to overcome operational challenges
• You feel comfortable communicating to both scientific and non-scientific audiences in French and English