UK DRI Laboratory Manager

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About us

Dementia is one of the greatest health challenge of our century. To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it. The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 850 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London, and King's College London.

Researchers at the UK DRI at King's use innovative approaches to explore the biological mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Their goal is to defeat dementia by uncovering vital new knowledge that will lead to the design of smarter diagnostics and effective treatments. The team aim to understand the fundamental biological processes involved in dementia at a molecular level - and to use that knowledge to design new ways to diagnose and treat disease more precisely.

About the role

Join the forefront of dementia research at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at King's College London, where our vibrant and interdisciplinary research community is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of with the most common types of motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal dementia. As part of the Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, the UK DRI at King's focuses on innovative cellular, molecular, and computational research to advance our understanding of neurodegeneration.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Lab Manager to oversee the operations of our state-of-the-art research facilities. With responsibility for all UK DRI laboratory spaces, you will ensure that our lab members adhere to departmental guidelines and maintain high standards of safety and efficiency. As part of a small technical team including the Senior Technical Manager and departmental technicians, your role will be pivotal in supporting UK DRI research activities. While you will not have line management duties, you will play a key role in fostering the UK DRI's culture of collaboration, engagement, and proactivity. You will play a critical role as part of the Centre's governance structure supporting the Centre Director and working closely with the Centre Manger, Project Officer, and Administrator.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. BSc in biological sciences or related area or equivalent experience
2. Demonstrable experience in a laboratory, particularly in a research environment maintaining tissue culture labs, and experience of practical problem solving and troubleshooting, combined with a willingness to contribute to scientific research.
3. Solid understanding of current laboratory health and safety regulations and best practices.
4. Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage complex lab operations.
5. Experience in procurement and budget management, including liaising with suppliers and managing maintenance contracts.
6. Self-motivated with strong collaboration skills and the ability to work closely with various stakeholders, including departmental technicians, DRI and departmental researchers, and external partners.
7. Eagerness to learn and adapt to new techniques and technologies relevant to the lab's research focus.
8. Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate technical information clearly.

Desirable criteria

1. Previous experience in a similar role as a laboratory manager within a dementia or neurodegenerative disease research environment.
2. Gas Safety Training and Cryogenic Safety Training Certificate or willingness to obtain certification through King's College London to support the departmental technical team.
3. Biological Safety Supervisor accreditation or a willingness to obtain it through King's College London.
4. Experience with microscopy, genomics, bioinformatics, or microfabrication techniques

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our How we Recruit ' pages.

This role does meet the requirements of the Home Office and therefore we are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who require the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to an Occupational Health clearance.