Assistant Lab Manager

About the John Innes Centre:

JIC is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. Our vision is to deliver solutions to global challenges and help secure a safer, healthier and more sustainable future. We are entering an exciting phase of development, with major improvements planned for our science buildings. This role will be central to maintaining operational continuity while supporting the progression of significant organisational change.

The role:

Working alongside the Lab Manager team, you will contribute to the planned operational management of existing science buildings and act as a key interface between researchers and support functions. The postholder will also support the development of new science buildings. As the programme evolves, the role is expected to develop, and applicants must be adaptable and responsive to changing priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Shared line management of the Lab Support Team, ensuring efficient and effective operations.
• Supporting the planning, review and oversight of infrastructure and refurbishment projects.
• Leading and delivering environmental sustainability initiatives across JIC.
• Assisting Building Safety Officers and the NBIP HSEQA team with safety compliance, training, SOP and risk-assessment preparation, incident review and follow-up actions.
• Supporting equipment procurement, deployment, maintenance and lifecycle management.
• Conducting compliance testing and audit activities.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Have experience working within a scientific research environment.
• Possess working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation, including biological and chemical safety.
• Have experience in a laboratory environment and demonstrate strong IT skills.
• Bring research-environment experience, including supervising, training or mentoring colleagues, and planning and project-management abilities.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and engage effectively with staff at all levels.