Development Operations Assistant Jobs in Cambridge, MA

Job Title: Lab Operations Contractor
Duration: 12 Months (Possible of extension)
Location: Cambridge, MA
The Neurology Therapeutic Area (TA) is seeking a highly organized and proactive Laboratory Operations Contractor to support our research teams at our Cambridge Crossing (CX) facility. This individual will play a key role in ensuring efficient laboratory operations, enabling scientists to focus on advancing innovative research programs. The successful candidate will serve as a central operational resource across the TA, coordinating laboratory infrastructure, equipment management, vendor interactions, facilities support, bio sample logistics, and research operations. This individual will partner closely with scientists, group leaders, business operations personnel, facilities teams, and external service providers to maintain a safe, compliant, and highly productive research environment.
The position reports to a Neurological Diseases TA scientist and works collaboratively across multiple functions to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Laboratory Operations:
Serve as a point of contact for day-to-day laboratory operations within the Therapeutic Area, providing concierge or end-to-end level support as needed.
Coordinate and lead laboratory startup, ongoing maintenance, and operational support activities.
Identify operational bottlenecks and implement process improvements to enhance laboratory efficiency and productivity.
Maintain visibility of operational issues, drive resolution, and partner with R&D Operations and Workplace Experience to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity.
Laboratory Equipment Management:
Act as a point contact for laboratory asset management services.
Maintain accurate equipment inventories and asset records.
Coordinate installation, qualification registration, relocation, and retirement of laboratory equipment.
Ensure compliance with metrology, calibration, preventative maintenance, and temperature-monitoring requirements.
Coordinate equipment service, repairs, maintenance activities, and vendor interactions.
Serve as the primary point of contact for laboratory equipment emergencies, coordinating rapid response, troubleshooting, vendor engagement, and recovery activities to minimize operational downtime and ensure continuity of laboratory operations
Coordinate and maintain equipment data infrastructure, partnering with DigitalLiaison with scientists to organize and coordinate equipment training, updates, or other technical advice or support as needed.
Facilities and Laboratory Support:
Partner with Cambridge Crossing facilities teams and support service providers to ensure smooth laboratory operations.
Coordinate laboratory consumables, chemical inventories, buffer preparation services, waste management, and shared resource utilization.
Facilitate facilities repair requests and monitor issue resolution.
Help maintain laboratory organization, safety, and compliance standards.
Procurement, Materials Management, and Logistics
Serve as a subject matter resource for procurement and materials management processes.
Serve as point of contact and expert user to resolve issues and questions regarding procurement workflows.
Support scientists in purchasing activities and shipments coordination, including receiving, inventory management, and vendor communications as needed.
Facilitate laboratory supply management to ensure uninterrupted research activities.
Assist with operational budgeting, purchase order tracking, and invoice reconciliation as needed.
Assist with license and contract process support as needed (biological material, digital software, etc)
Biosample and Freezer Management:
Serve as point of contact and knowledge point on best practices for bio sample and cell line management and inventories in partnership with internal teams.
Support biosample logistics and ensure adherence to established handling, storage, and shipping procedures.
Assist with coordination and compliance of licenses for cell licensing, including tacking usage agreement, material transfer agreements (MTAs), and ensuring adherence to vendor and institutional requirements
Assist with management of on-site and off-site freezer capacity, space allocation, maintenance, monitoring, and contingency planning.
Daytime primary responder role for monitored units.
Animal Research Operations:
Serve as a liaison with the animal research facility and related operational teams.
Coordinate activities related to animal usage tracking, licensing, and operational planning.
Support management of animal related licenses and compliance documentation .
Cross-Functional Support
Act as an "expert user " for key operational systems and processes, including:
Procurement and purchasing systems, Source to Pay
Materials management
Shipping and receiving
Facilities services
Laboratory asset management
IT support services
Office and laboratory equipment support
Health and Safety
Workplace Experience:
Build strong partnerships across scientific, operational, and administrative functions.
Support onboarding and offboarding of new employees, contractors, and interns within the group including lab orientation walkthrough, IT support and other facilities/office equipment needs.
Qualifications:
Required:
Bachelor's degree in biology, Neuroscience, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
Minimum of 4 years of experience working in a laboratory or research environment.
Demonstrated experience supporting laboratory operations, laboratory management, project coordination, or related operational functions.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, building effective relationships with scientists and cross-functional teams.
Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a dynamic research environment.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and laboratory management systems.
Preferred:
Industry experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or research organizations.
Experience with laboratory startup, space management, equipment asset management, or facilities coordination.
Functional knowledge and understanding of laboratory equipment include operation principles, functionality, and applications across standard lab workflow.
Familiarity with biosample management, laboratory compliance requirements, and animal research operations.
Experience implementing process improvements and driving operational efficiencies.
Experience working in a BSL2 or BSL2 wet lab, understanding of health, safety and best practices operations within a laboratory environment.
Competencies and Characteristics:
Highly organized, communicative, and self-motivated
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Customer-service mindset with a collaborative approach
Ability to work in a highly matrix environment and build relationships and points of contact across multiple groups and departments
Ability to work independently while effectively influencing across teams
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced and evolving environment
Commitment to operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement
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