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Research Lab Manager Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Chapman University

Lab Manager

Orange, CA · On-site

$72K - $75K/yr

Directs daily lab activities and workflow of the team of research staff and student research ... Manages lab personnel schedules, approves time sheets, etc. * Engages in hiring processes (creating ...

Chapman University

Lab Manager

Orange, CA · On-site

$72K - $75K/yr

Directs daily lab activities and workflow of the team of research staff and student research ... Manages lab personnel schedules, approves time sheets, etc. * Engages in hiring processes (creating ...

Chapman University

Research Lab Assistant

Orange, CA · On-site

$17/hr

... Lab Assistant Academic Year Fall 2026 Term or Semester Fall Is this Role for an Undergrad or Grad ... Responsibilities * Assist faculty researchers with data collection, organization, and management ...

New

Chapman University

Research Lab Assistant

Orange, CA

$17/hr

... Lab Assistant Academic Year Fall 2026 Term or Semester Fall Is this Role for an Undergrad or Grad ... Responsibilities * Assist faculty researchers with data collection, organization, and management ...

New

ZO Skin Health, Inc.

Lab Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

The Lab Manager is responsible for leading the R&D laboratory, formulation development activities, and execution of product innovation initiatives for ZO Skin Health. This role oversees a team of ...

ZO Skin Health, Inc

Lab Manager

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

The Lab Manager is responsible for leading the R&D laboratory, formulation development activities, and execution of product innovation initiatives for ZO Skin Health. This role oversees a team of ...

ZO Skin Health, Inc.

Lab Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140 - $170/hr

The Lab Manager is responsible for leading the R&D laboratory, formulation development activities, and execution of product innovation initiatives for ZO Skin Health. This role oversees a team of ...

Masimo Corporation

Clinical Research Lab RN II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$55 - $72/hr

Ability to independently set and manage multiple priorities * Demonstrates advanced judgment and ... Familiarity with medical, pharmaceutical or medical device research * Basic understanding of FDA ...

New

Masimo

Clinical Research Lab RN II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$40 - $52/hr

Ability to independently set and manage multiple priorities * Demonstrates advanced judgment and ... Familiarity with medical, pharmaceutical or medical device research * Basic understanding of FDA ...

Zymo Research Corporation

Be Seen First

Account Manager - Life Sciences PA, NJ, MD & DC

Irvine, CA

$80K - $110K/yr

Zymo Research is seeking highly motivated, field-based Account Managers to drive growth within ... Experience working in a research lab at a life science company is highly desirable. About Us: Since ...

Zymo Research Corporation

Be Seen First

Account Manager - Life Sciences PA, NJ, MD & DC

Irvine, CA

$80K - $110K/yr

Zymo Research is seeking highly motivated, field-based Account Managers to drive growth within ... Experience working in a research lab at a life science company is highly desirable. About Us: Since ...

Zymo Research Corporation

Be Seen First

Account Manager - Life Sciences PA, NJ, MD & DC

Irvine, CA

$80K - $110K/yr

Zymo Research is seeking highly motivated, field-based Account Managers to drive growth within ... Experience working in a research lab at a life science company is highly desirable. About Us: Since ...

Kelly Services

R&D Lab Specialist

Irvine, CA

Manage floor, side labs, and common test/equipment areas. * Maintain laboratory general maintenance ... Teams - BWI R&D Prototype Lab: 3D Print Channel with Excel spreadsheet. tracker (Date, Username ...

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All JobsResearch Lab JobsResearch Lab Manager JobsResearch Lab Manager Jobs in Irvine, CA

Research Lab Manager information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$37K

$71.9K

$99.3K

How much do research lab manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for research lab manager in Irvine, CA is $71,902.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,100.00 and $85,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the responsibilities of a research lab manager?

A Research Lab Manager oversees the daily operations of a scientific laboratory, ensuring that research activities run smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities typically include managing laboratory staff, maintaining equipment and supplies, enforcing safety protocols, and assisting with budgeting and administrative tasks. They also support researchers by coordinating experiments, managing data, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Effective communication and organizational skills are essential in this role.

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

To thrive as a Research Lab Manager, you need strong scientific expertise, leadership skills, and a relevant degree in the field (often a Master's or PhD). Experience with laboratory management systems, safety protocols, grant writing, and equipment maintenance is crucial, along with certifications such as CLIA or GLP compliance when applicable. Excellent organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help foster teamwork and ensure smooth lab operations. These skills and qualifications are essential for maintaining high research standards, ensuring safety, and achieving project goals efficiently.

What are some common challenges a research lab manager faces and how can they be addressed?

Research Lab Managers often encounter challenges related to balancing administrative duties with supporting scientific research, maintaining compliance with safety regulations, and ensuring efficient use of resources. Navigating these requires strong organizational skills, clear communication with both researchers and administrative staff, and staying up to date with regulatory changes. Proactively scheduling regular team meetings, investing in ongoing training, and implementing standard operating procedures can help address these challenges and create a productive, compliant lab environment.

What is the difference between Research Lab Manager vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch Lab ManagerResearch Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; often requires management experienceMaster's or Ph.D. in specific research area
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, administrative offices, overseeing operationsLaboratories, conducting experiments, data analysis
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, universities, biotech companiesResearch institutions, universities, industry R&D
Primary FocusManaging lab operations, budgets, staffDesigning experiments, conducting research, publishing findings

The main difference is that a Research Lab Manager focuses on overseeing lab operations, staff, and budgets, while a Research Scientist concentrates on conducting experiments and advancing scientific knowledge. Both roles are essential in research settings but serve different functions within the research process.

How much do research lab managers make in the US?

Research lab managers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and the size of the organization. Salaries can vary based on the industry, location, and specific responsibilities, with some positions offering additional benefits or bonuses.

Is a research lab manager a stressful job?

A research lab manager often faces stress related to managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and ensuring safety and compliance. The role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to handle unexpected issues, which can contribute to a high-stress environment at times.

What is a research lab manager?

A research lab manager oversees the daily operations of a laboratory, including managing staff, maintaining equipment, ensuring safety protocols, and coordinating research activities. They often require strong organizational skills, knowledge of scientific procedures, and experience with lab management tools or software.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Lab jobs in Irvine, CA?

The most popular types of Research Lab jobs in Irvine, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Lab Manager jobs in Irvine, CA?

For Research Lab Manager jobs in Irvine, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Lab Manager jobs in Irvine, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Lab Manager jobs in Irvine, CA are:

What cities near Irvine, CA are hiring for Research Lab Manager jobs?

Cities near Irvine, CA with the most Research Lab Manager job openings:

Research Lab Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Lab Manager job openings in Irvine, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,902 per year, or $34.6 per hour.

Lab Manager

Chapman University

Orange, CA • On-site

$72K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Chapman University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

265th of 629 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Information
Position Title Lab Manager Position Type Regular Job Number SA90524 Full or Part Time full-time 40 hours weekly Fair Labor Standard Act Classification Exempt Anticipated Pay Range $72,000 - $75,000 Pay Range Information
Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.
Position Summary Information
Job Description Summary
The Lab Manager, under general supervision of the principal investigator (PI), coordinates the daily activities and workflow of the Emotion Regulation and Health (ERH) Lab, which is a multi-project research laboratory examining emotion and health comprised of grant funded research studies. The incumbent is responsible for overall ERH Lab oversight, supervising and training laboratory personnel including students and other staff members on compliance and lab standard operating procedures (SOPs), advising the PI on personnel decisions, and creating procedures to ensure study protocols are followed and appropriate documentation is kept for lab safety and IRB and National Institutes of Health (NIH) regulation compliance. The Lab Manager serves as the primary point-of-contact for the laboratory and is responsible for building and maintaining participant partnerships for recruitment and follow-up in addition to serving as primary lab liaison with subsite and industry collaborators. The incumbent will be responsible for lab-wide database management and perform data analysis as needed. Additionally, the Lab Manager will participate in study data collection, including interviews of adolescent and adult participants and lung function assessments.
Responsibilities
Lab Operations/Management
  • Directs daily lab activities and workflow of the team of research staff and student research assistants under broad direction of PI.
  • Provides long and short-term project planning, troubleshooting, and execution of research projects.
  • Supervises and trains lab personnel on compliance and lab SOPs.
  • Manages lab personnel schedules, approves time sheets, etc.
  • Engages in hiring processes (creating the job description, reviewing applications, interviewing candidates).
  • Serves as a role model and provides leadership regarding lab safety to lab personnel. Interviews
  • Conducts interviews of adolescent and adult participants (including medical histories).
  • Leads lung function assessment data collection, and coaches adolescent patients on home lung function assessment.

Administration of Research Protocols
  • Creates and deploys research protocols with human subjects to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Provides human subjects research administration expertise.
  • Responsible for implementation of study protocols following human research ethical guidelines and maintenance of study-wide databases.
  • Maintains appropriate records for compliance with IRB, NIH, and other necessary regulatory committees.
  • Ensures all deadlines for submission are met.

Customer Service Agent
  • Serves as the primary point-of-contact for the laboratory and as lab liaison with the University of Rochester, Northwestern University, the University of California Irvine, and CognitaLabs.
  • Conducts data analysis (for lab operations [e.g., participant retention, cold call recruitment rates; for research products [e.g., publications, conference presentations]), creating presentations related to research studies/findings for meetings and events, and any other duties as assigned by PI.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in psychology, applied sciences, or related field.
  • Extensive lab experience of 2-4+ years in behavioral, psychological and/or medical research protocols. 
  • Ability to manage and prioritize projects effectively. Ability to exercise judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness in making decisions; ability to recognize when to consult with PI. 
  • Effective and professional interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills, ability to build and maintain rapport with research participants, student and staff members, and collaborators. 
  • Proficient in medical record navigation and patient health information safety. 
  • Willing to work on a flexible schedule to accommodate research participants scheduling needs. 
Desired Qualifications
  • Master's degree in related field desired but not required.
Special Instructions to Applicants
 At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics.  All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. 
The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.
Minimum Number of References 2 Maximum Number of References 3

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