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Lab Operations Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Lab Operations Planner

Richmond, VA · On-site

$29.25 - $39.50/hr

Job Title Lab Operations Planner Location(s) Altria (East Jackson St, Richmond) - Customer Site VA Summary: The Demand Planner/Scheduler is responsible for translating R&D project timelines ...

Job Title Lab Operations Planner Location(s) Altria (East Jackson St, Richmond) - Customer Site VA Summary: The Demand Planner/Scheduler is responsible for translating R&D project timelines ...

$39.50 - $53.50/hr

Job Title Lab Operations Planner Location(s) Altria (East Jackson St, Richmond) - Customer Site VA Summary: The Demand Planner/Scheduler is responsible for translating R&D project timelines ...

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Lab Operations information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$25

$44

How much do lab operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab operations in Virginia is $25.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is lab operations?

Lab Operations refers to the processes, systems, and people responsible for ensuring that a laboratory runs smoothly and efficiently. This includes managing equipment, supplies, safety protocols, scheduling, and regulatory compliance. Those working in lab operations may coordinate experiments, maintain instruments, oversee inventory, and support researchers or scientists. The goal is to create a safe and organized environment that enables scientific work to be carried out effectively and in compliance with industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in lab operations?

To thrive in Lab Operations, you need a solid background in laboratory techniques, quality control, and safety protocols, typically supported by a degree in a scientific field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), instrumentation calibration, and regulatory standards like GLP or ISO is essential. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help ensure smooth workflow and collaboration within the lab. These competencies are crucial for maintaining accurate results, regulatory compliance, and efficient lab functioning.

What are some common challenges faced in lab operations roles, and how can they be effectively managed?

Professionals in lab operations often encounter challenges such as maintaining compliance with safety regulations, managing inventory and equipment calibration, and ensuring smooth workflow coordination among team members. Staying organized and implementing standardized protocols can help mitigate these issues. Additionally, strong communication skills and regular training support efficient collaboration between scientists, technicians, and support staff, which is crucial for minimizing errors and maintaining a productive lab environment.

What is the difference between Lab Operations vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLab OperationsLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in a science or related fieldOften requires an associate degree or certification in laboratory technology
Work EnvironmentInvolves overseeing lab workflows, managing staff, and ensuring complianceHands-on testing, sample preparation, and data recording in laboratory settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in research labs, clinical labs, and industrial settings for management rolesCommon in clinical, medical, and industrial laboratories for technical tasks

Lab Operations professionals focus on managing laboratory workflows, staff, and compliance, often requiring a bachelor's degree. Laboratory Technicians perform hands-on testing and sample analysis, typically with an associate degree or certification. While both roles are essential in laboratory settings, Lab Operations roles are more managerial and oversight-oriented, whereas Laboratory Technicians are more technical and operational.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lab Operations jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Lab Operations jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Lab Operations job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,066 per year, or $25 per hour.

Lab Operations Planner

Richmond, VA • On-site

PerkinElmer
Biotechnology Research and Development • 10K+ employees

$29.25 - $39.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


PerkinElmer rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

When joining PerkinElmer, you select an experienced and trusted leader in scientific solutions, with the support of a global service network and distribution centers, providing the right solution, at the right time, to meet critical customer needs. With over an 80+ year legacy of advancing science and a mission of innovating for a healthier world, our dedicated team collaborates closely with commercial, government, academic and healthcare customers to deliver our broad portfolio of analytical solutions, and OneSource services.
Job Title
Lab Operations Planner
Location(s)
Altria (East Jackson St, Richmond) - Customer Site VA
Job Description
Job Description Summary:
The Demand Planner/Scheduler is responsible for translating R&D project timelines, experiment pipelines, and study protocols into an executable operational plan for the laboratory. This role owns the demand forecast for lab capacity, equipment, consumables, and personnel, and builds the master schedule that keeps studies, assays, and experiments moving on time. The ideal candidate bridges scientific planning and operational execution, working closely with scientists, lab managers, and procurement to ensure the right resources are in the right place at the right time.
Job Responsibilities
This position is full time on site, in Richmond, VA
  • Develop and maintain the demand plan for R&D lab activities by consolidating experiment requests, study protocols, and project timelines from scientists and program leads.
  • Build and manage the master lab schedule, sequencing experiments, assays, equipment usage, and instrument time to maximize throughput and minimize conflicts.
  • Forecast demand for lab consumables, reagents, and materials based on planned study volume; coordinate with procurement and inventory teams to prevent stockouts or expirations.
  • Monitor lab capacity (bench space, shared instruments, fume hoods, specialized equipment) and flag bottlenecks or over-allocation before they impact study timelines.
  • Coordinate cross-functionally with R&D scientists, lab operations, procurement, quality, and facilities to align schedules with study milestones and regulatory deadlines.
  • Maintain planning systems (ERP, LIMS, scheduling software, or spreadsheets) with accurate, current data on demand, capacity, and schedule status.
  • Track schedule adherence and demand forecast accuracy; report variances, root causes, and corrective actions to lab leadership.
  • Manage schedule changes driven by experiment delays, equipment downtime, priority shifts, or resource constraints, and communicate impacts to stakeholders.
  • Support capacity planning for new studies, new equipment, or lab expansions by modeling demand scenarios.
  • Partner with quality/EHS to ensure scheduling accounts for calibration, maintenance, and compliance requirements for lab equipment.
  • Continuously identify process improvements to planning and scheduling workflows to increase lab efficiency and on-time study delivery.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, operations, life sciences, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 3+ years of experience in demand planning, scheduling, or production/lab operations planning, ideally within an R&D, laboratory, life sciences, or manufacturing environment.
  • Working knowledge of laboratory operations, experiment/study workflows, or scientific project timelines.
  • Hands-on experience with planning or scheduling tools (e.g., ERP systems, LIMS, MRP/APS software, or advanced Excel/Smartsheet-based scheduling).
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to forecast demand and translate it into an actionable schedule.
  • Excellent cross-functional communication skills; comfortable working directly with scientists and lab personnel.
  • High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and shifting timelines.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting a regulated R&D environment (GLP, GMP, or similar) where scheduling must account for compliance and documentation requirements.
  • Familiarity with lab instrumentation scheduling and sample management
  • APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent supply chain planning credential.
  • Experience with data visualization or planning dashboards (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to communicate schedule and demand status.

Working Environment:
  • Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory.
  • Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.
  • The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position.
  • Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste.
  • Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
  • May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $70,000 to $85,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
PerkinElmer is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

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