Extraction Lab Manager Jobs in St Louis, MO (NOW HIRING)

Tiny Health is advancing lifelong health, from the first 1,000 days to the last, and addressing chronic disease through precision microbiome science. Founded in 2020 and built by microbiome scientists and physicians, our testing platform reveals whether your microbiome is trending toward resilience or imbalances using shotgun metagenomics, proprietary AI, and one of the world's largest longitudinal datasets. Trusted by families and health practitioners alike, our research-backed gut and vaginal tests are redefining the microbiome as a cornerstone of personalized health through every life stage. Learn more at tinyhealth.com and poweredbytiny.com.

As Lab Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of Tiny Health's St. Louis laboratory while serving as a key contributor to our microbiome research and development efforts. This is a hands-on role for an experienced scientist who enjoys both bench work and laboratory leadership.

You will independently manage laboratory workflows including microbial culturing, DNA extraction, sequencing library preparation, sample processing, and protocol execution. Beyond maintaining efficient laboratory operations, you will help develop and optimize new protocols, design and execute experiments, analyze results, and contribute to advancing our microbiome science initiatives.

We are looking for someone who is highly organized, resourceful, and comfortable operating with significant autonomy. The ideal candidate enjoys solving problems, building systems, and taking ownership of both scientific and operational outcomes. This position reports directly to the Chief Science Officer and works closely with our broader science team.

• Manage day-to-day operations of Tiny Health's St. Louis laboratory

• Perform microbiology and molecular biology workflows, including bacterial culturing, DNA extraction, library preparation, and sample processing

• Develop, optimize, document, and implement laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures

• Design and execute experiments to support internal research and product development initiatives

• Analyze experimental results and communicate findings to cross-functional stakeholders

• Maintain laboratory inventory, supplies, equipment, and consumables

• Manage laboratory purchasing, shipping, vendor relationships, and budget tracking

• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards and quality control procedures

• Troubleshoot technical challenges and identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency

• Collaborate with scientists, bioinformaticians, and external partners to advance research objectives

• Maintain accurate laboratory records and experimental documentation

• Bachelor's, Master's, or equivalent experience in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, or a related field

• 5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in microbiology, molecular biology, or related disciplines

• Experience culturing and maintaining bacterial strains under sterile conditions

• Experience with DNA extraction, PCR, NGS library preparation, and related molecular biology techniques

• Demonstrated ability to develop, optimize, and implement laboratory protocols

• Experience independently designing and executing experiments

• Ability to perform basic statistical analysis and interpret experimental data

• Experience managing laboratory inventory, supplies, equipment, and operational workflows

• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently and prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment

• Experience working with microbiome, microbial ecology, or sequencing-based research programs

• Experience with shotgun metagenomic sequencing workflows

• Experience managing laboratory budgets, purchasing, and vendor relationships

• Previous experience in a startup, biotech, or early-stage company environment

• Familiarity with R, Python, or other tools for basic data analysis and visualization

• Experience supporting product development or translational research programs

• Work experience in DTC health, diagnostics, or wellness companies

• Experience working remotely, with proficiency in Slack

• Self-directed, proactive, and comfortable with ambiguity

• Remote-First Company: our working hours follow a 2 hour window from 9 am - 6 pm CST

• Driven by an ambitious mission: we're reinventing how we should think about wellness from the first 1,000 days to the last

• Shape what we build, not just how we build it: we prioritize experimentation with taking ownership, and moving fast

• No hidden agendas: we operate with full transparency because when everyone's working from the same honest picture, you spend less time on politics and more time on impact

• High standards, human culture: we hold ourselves to a high bar and do it alongside a team who can laugh at themselves and make the hard days genuinely enjoyable

1. Learn fast, be better

   What that looks like: You deliver your output when it creates value, not when it’s perfect. After, you continuously monitor it and improve it over time.

2. Be relentlessly resourceful

   What that looks like: When faced with a blocker, you map three alternative solutions, highlight your favourite, justify why, and seek quick feedback from your team.

3. Think like an owner

   What that looks like: When something needs to get done, you own it, communicate cross-functionally, and see it across the finish line.

4. Act with honesty and empathy

   What that looks like: When a colleague shares an idea that carries real risk, you challenge it in the moment and do it with kindness.

5. Delight people by anticipating their needs

   What that looks like: You put yourselves in the shoes of the customer or collaborator before presenting an idea, process, or proposal, and curate your communication to address their pain points.