Lab Manager, RUO
POSITION SUMMARY:
Join Natera’s Oncology Research Use Only (RUO) team as the Laboratory Manager. You will take ownership of the physical operations, asset management, and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) compliance for a high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) research laboratory. This environment supports internal and externally contracted research studies rather than clinical diagnostic reporting. You will operate with pace and rigor, using data to anticipate bottlenecks and treating lab compliance as the foundation of execution.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lab Organization & Cleanliness
Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized laboratory that meets institutional and company standards
Establish and enforce workspace organization standards, including bench layouts, labeling conventions, shared-equipment zones, and waste segregation
Own housekeeping schedules, decontamination routines, and general lab organization, coordinating cleaning and biohazard or chemical waste pickup
Ensure adequate stocking and organization of consumables at the point of use
Serve as the point of contact for lab safety, ensuring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability, spill readiness, and adherence to EH&S requirements
Cross-Team Coordination & Equipment
Think team by partnering directly with Facilities, Engineering/Instrumentation, EH&S, Procurement, and IT to drive lab operations without needing translation layers
Coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, service visits, and repair of major instrumentation (e.g., NGS sequencers, liquid handlers, qPCR/dPCR systems, centrifuges, thermal cyclers), minimizing downtime
Manage vendor and service-provider relationships, including scheduling, tracking service tickets, and escalating unresolved issues based on data
Own end-to-end inventory management, tracking reorder points, purchasing requests, receiving, and stock rotation for reagents, consumables, and controls
Maintenance Logs & Protocols
Audit equipment maintenance and calibration logs, ensuring records are current, complete, and audit-ready
Maintain the lab equipment and maintenance protocols
Use data to pressure-test lab workflows and documentation to support throughput and reproducibility on contracted projects
Freezer Management & Sample Inventory
Own storage integrity across freezers and refrigerators, designing organization schemes and capacity planning
Maintain accurate sample and reagent inventory with clear location tracking, chain-of-custody, and expiration/lot management
Coordinate space allocation and the archival or disposal of samples in line with project retention requirements
General Operations
Partner directly with the Director and project leads to keep contracted research projects on schedule, using data to anticipate operational risks to timelines and resolve them proactively
Onboard new team members to lab systems, safety, and standard practices
Deliver unvarnished, data-backed operational metrics to leadership, using equipment uptime, inventory health, and project readiness to drive outcome-oriented decisions
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or a related field
At least two years of hands-on laboratory experience; lab management experience is strongly preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Deep technical knowledge of laboratory safety procedures
Practical knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and database query tools
Rigorous organization and prioritization skills to keep equipment, inventory, and multiple project timelines on track
Proactive problem-solving capabilities to anticipate bottlenecks and resolve them before they impact project deadlines
Clear, direct communication skills to connect scientists, internal teams, and vendors without needing translation layers
Strict attention to detail to maintain accurate logs, inventory, and audit-ready documentation
Operational resilience to execute decisively during equipment issues, temperature excursions, and shifting priorities
Think team by owning lab operations and following through with rigorous precision, ensuring the lab functions without friction
Knowledge of relational database queries is a plus
Compensation & Total Rewards
This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.
This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:
Annual performance incentive bonus
Long-term equity awards
Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
401(k) with company match
Generous paid time off and company holidays
Additional wellness and work-life benefits
Compensation Range
$102,300—$127,950 USD