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Laboratory Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Until

Lab Manager

Mundelein, IL

$100K - $130K/yr

What You'll Do Laboratory Operations * Ensure the laboratory remains clean, organized, and fully ... Manage shipping and receiving of laboratory materials, equipment, and biological samples.

Prime Healthcare

Core Laboratory Director

Evanston, IL · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

... management, quality assurance programs, regulatory compliance, and continuous operational improvement. Collaborates closely with the Laboratory Medical Director, Technical Supervisors, hospital ...

Constellis

Field Operations Manager

Chicago, IL

The Field Operations Manager (FOM) is responsible for daily operational oversight of Protective ... Ensure Contractor compliance with DOE and Laboratory safety requirements and the Contractor ...

Prime Healthcare

Core Laboratory Director

Evanston, IL · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

... management, quality assurance programs, regulatory compliance, and continuous operational improvement 2) collaborates closely with the Laboratory Medical Director, Technical Supervisors, hospital ...

Moffitt

HUSBANDRY OPERATIONS MGR

Chicago, IL · On-site

$82K - $126K/yr

Summary The Husbandry and Operations Manager leads the daily management of the animal care staff ... Bachelor's degree in Business or Animal Science. (Master's in Laboratory Animal Science preferred)

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All JobsLaboratory Operations JobsLaboratory Operations Manager JobsLaboratory Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Laboratory Operations Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$32K

$65.4K

$122.2K

How much do laboratory operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for laboratory operations manager in Chicago, IL is $65,421.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,300.00 and $79,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Laboratory Operations Manager vs Laboratory Supervisor?

AspectLaboratory Operations ManagerLaboratory Supervisor
CredentialsBachelor’s degree in science or related field; certifications may be preferredAssociate’s or Bachelor’s degree; relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple labs or departments, strategic planningSupervises daily lab activities, direct team oversight
ResponsibilitiesManaging operations, budgets, compliance, staff managementSupervising technicians, ensuring quality control, daily task management

The Laboratory Operations Manager focuses on overall lab management, strategic planning, and compliance, while the Laboratory Supervisor handles daily supervision of lab staff and operational tasks. Both roles require relevant science credentials, but the manager role involves broader responsibilities and higher-level decision-making.

What does a Laboratory Operations Manager do?

A Laboratory Operations Manager oversees the daily operations of a laboratory, ensuring that all processes run efficiently and safely. They are responsible for managing staff, maintaining compliance with regulations, overseeing budgets, and ensuring quality control. Their role also involves coordinating with other departments, implementing new procedures, and troubleshooting operational issues to keep laboratory activities on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Laboratory Operations Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Laboratory Operations Manager, you need a solid background in laboratory science, management experience, and typically a bachelor's or advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), quality assurance protocols, and regulatory compliance certifications like CLIA or CAP accreditation is crucial. Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills, along with effective communication, set top performers apart. These competencies ensure efficient laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and high-quality results critical to scientific and healthcare outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by Laboratory Operations Managers, and how can they be addressed?

Laboratory Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards, managing diverse teams, and optimizing workflow efficiency. Balancing administrative duties with hands-on problem-solving and ensuring all staff are properly trained on protocols are also common issues. Addressing these challenges typically involves ongoing staff training, implementing robust quality management systems, and fostering clear communication between team members and other departments. Proactively staying updated on industry regulations and creating a culture of safety and collaboration can greatly help in overcoming these operational hurdles.
What are the most commonly searched types of Laboratory Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Laboratory Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
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What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Laboratory Operations Manager jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Laboratory Operations Manager job openings:
Laboratory Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Laboratory Operations Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,421 per year, or $31.5 per hour.

Lab Manager

Until

Mundelein, IL

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

About the Company 

Until is a moonshot company building a “pause button” for biology. Our near-term focus is organ-scale reversible cryopreservation: preserving donated organs at subzero temperatures without ice formation, then rewarming them uniformly for transplant. By solving this grand challenge, we’re laying the foundation for whole-body reversible cryopreservation, giving patients a bridge to future cures.

To achieve our goal, we are assembling an interdisciplinary team to develop perfusion systems, cryoprotectant formulations, and vitrification and rewarming hardware.

We envision a future where no transplantable organ is lost to logistics, and no terminal diagnosis is final because patients can safely wait for future medicine to arrive.

About the Role

We are seeking an organized, proactive, and highly reliable Lab Operations Manager to own the day-to-day operations of Until's research laboratories. This person will be responsible for ensuring the lab runs efficiently, safely, and smoothly so that scientists can focus on research.

You'll oversee laboratory logistics, facilities, inventory, equipment maintenance, vendor relationships, and operational improvements across our growing research organization. As the company scales, you'll help build the systems, documentation, and infrastructure that enable world-class scientific work.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys creating order from complexity, takes pride in operational excellence, and thrives in fast-paced startup environments.

What You'll Do
Laboratory Operations

  • Ensure the laboratory remains clean, organized, and fully operational on a daily basis.

  • Wash, sterilize, and organize laboratory glassware.

  • Prepare laboratory solutions and buffers according to established protocols.

  • Refill and distribute commonly used laboratory reagents and consumables.

  • Coordinate hazardous and biological waste handling and disposal.

  • Lead recurring lab organization efforts and establish high standards for shared laboratory spaces.

Equipment & Facilities

  • Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment, including centrifuges and other shared instruments.

  • Coordinate preventative maintenance, repairs, calibrations, and vendor service visits.

  • Partner with scientific teams to optimize laboratory layouts, bench space, equipment placement, and shared infrastructure.

  • Support laboratory expansion projects, renovations, equipment moves, and space planning.

  • Manage offsite storage and warehouse operations, including equipment organization and inventory consolidation.

Inventory & Logistics

  • Own laboratory inventory, ensuring critical supplies remain stocked while minimizing waste.

  • Manage shipping and receiving of laboratory materials, equipment, and biological samples.

  • Establish recurring purchasing processes and identify opportunities for operational cost savings.

  • Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of laboratory materials.

Documentation & Process Improvement

  • Build and maintain a comprehensive Lab Operations Handbook documenting laboratory procedures, contacts, permits, certifications, and operational workflows.

  • Develop and maintain SOPs for laboratory operations and logistics.

  • Create documentation for specialized operational workflows, including transplant logistics and other program-specific activities.

  • Continuously improve laboratory systems, workflows, and organizational processes as the company grows.

Cross-functional Support

  • Partner closely with research teams to anticipate operational needs and remove bottlenecks.

  • Coordinate laboratory onboarding for new employees, including laboratory orientation and best practices.

  • Support scheduling and shared resource planning across multiple scientific teams.

  • Lead recurring laboratory cleanups and continuous improvement initiatives.

As You Grow in the Role
You'll have the opportunity to shape the long-term operational strategy for Until's laboratory infrastructure, including:

  • Scaling laboratory operations to support a rapidly growing research organization.

  • Designing inventory management systems and equipment tracking.

  • Evaluating new storage and facilities solutions.

  • Standardizing laboratory organization across teams.

  • Building preventive maintenance programs for laboratory equipment.

  • Improving operational efficiency through automation, process improvements, and thoughtful facility planning.

 
About You

  • Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, or a related scientific discipline (or equivalent laboratory operations experience).

  • 3+ years of laboratory operations, laboratory management, or research support experience.

  • Experience working in a research laboratory, biotech, life sciences, or startup environment.

  • Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.

  • Comfortable managing multiple priorities and solving operational problems independently.

  • Experience coordinating vendors, equipment maintenance, purchasing, or laboratory logistics.

  • Excellent written documentation and communication skills.

  • Able to lift and transport laboratory materials (up to approximately 50 lbs).

Nice to Have

  • Experience supporting BSL-2 or similar laboratory environments.

  • Experience with laboratory safety, EHS, or chemical inventory management.

  • Experience supporting laboratory build-outs, moves, or facilities projects.

  • Familiarity with procurement systems or inventory management software.

  • Experience developing SOPs and operational documentation.

Potential to flex for exceptional experience.

Benefits

  • Generous medical, dental and vision insurance coverage

  • Flexible time off and paid holidays

  • Competitive compensation package, including salary and equity

  • Access to a 401(k) retirement savings plan

  • FSA and commuter benefits

  • Daily lunch and dinners, plus a variety of snacks 

  • Monthly learning stipend

  • On-site fitness center

  • Quarterly team social budget

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.