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Lab Director Jobs in State College, PA (NOW HIRING)

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Medical Director

State College, PA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

In-house Lab (Full IDEXX VetLab) * Well‑equipped surgical suite (All sevoflurane anesthesia ... Leadership experience is a plus, but not necessary; we offer Medical Director training for DVMs ...

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Lab Director information

See State College, PA salary details

$44.8K

$125.6K

$185.3K

How much do lab director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for lab director in State College, PA is $125,613.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,600.00 and $138,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lab director?

To thrive as a Lab Director, you typically need an advanced degree in a scientific discipline, extensive laboratory experience, and strong management skills. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), regulatory compliance protocols like CLIA or CAP, and quality assurance tools is crucial. Leadership, problem-solving, and excellent communication abilities distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure effective lab operations, regulatory adherence, and a high standard of scientific integrity and safety.

What are some common challenges a lab director faces when managing a multidisciplinary team?

Lab Directors often oversee teams composed of scientists, technicians, and administrative staff from diverse backgrounds. A key challenge is ensuring effective communication and collaboration across these disciplines, especially when balancing research priorities with regulatory compliance and resource allocation. Building a culture of transparency and continuous improvement helps address these challenges, as does providing ongoing professional development to team members. Proactively managing conflicts and aligning the team's goals with the lab's overall mission are also crucial responsibilities.

How much does a lab director make in the US?

A lab director in the US typically earns between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on the industry, location, and level of experience. Salaries can be higher in specialized fields such as clinical or research laboratories, especially with advanced certifications and management responsibilities.

What does a lab director do?

A lab director oversees the operations, management, and safety of a laboratory, ensuring compliance with regulations and quality standards. They coordinate research activities, supervise staff, and may be involved in budgeting, equipment maintenance, and reporting. Strong leadership, scientific expertise, and knowledge of laboratory protocols are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lab jobs in State College, PA?

The most popular types of Lab jobs in State College, PA are:

What job categories do people searching Lab Director jobs in State College, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Lab Director jobs in State College, PA are:

What cities near State College, PA are hiring for Lab Director jobs?

Cities near State College, PA with the most Lab Director job openings:

Lab Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lab Director job openings in State College, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,312 per year, or $59.3 per hour.

LionChron Lab Director

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

$54K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • oversee day-to-day operations of the LionChron laser ablation facility, including maintaining instrumentation and troubleshooting

  • manage laboratory activities such as ordering hardware and consumables, collecting and processing data, and developing analytical protocols

  • train new users and visitors, assess long-term data quality, and meet regularly with facility directors to discuss performance and scheduling

Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 104 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

237th of 631 rated colleges and universities

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Lab Coordinator - Physical Sciences
The Department of Geosciences at The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA) is seeking to hire a full-time laboratory manager to oversee day-to-day operations of the LionChron laser ablation facility.
The LionChron laboratory serves a national userbase, spanning industry and academia, and consists of an LA-ICP-MS system capable of U/Th-Pb + trace element split-stream analysis (Element II XR, Thermo iCap quadrupole ICP-MS with a NWR G2 Analyte 193 laser), an AxioScan A2 imager in addition to facilities for sample preparation (mineral separation, optical microscopy, polishing).
Day-to-day responsibilities of the position include:
  • maintaining instrumentation in excellent working condition (including leading modest instrument repairs and troubleshooting),
  • ordering of hardware components and consumables,
  • collection and processing of data for laboratory users,
  • training of new users,
  • assessment of long-term data quality,
  • training of new users and visitors,
  • billing users and development of analytical protocols.
  • meeting regularly with the facility directors to discuss instrument performance, lab priorities and scheduling.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None
This position is suited for those with an aptitude for mass spectrometry and the strongest candidates will have prior experience with ICPMS and/or laser ablation analysis.
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Interested applicants are welcome to contact Andy Smye or Jesse Reimink with any questions regarding the position or posting.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $78,444.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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