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Research Lab Manager Jobs in Waynesboro, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Research Lab Manager information

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$33.2K

$64.4K

$89K

How much do research lab manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for research lab manager in Waynesboro, VA is $64,442.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,900.00 and $77,000.00 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 job categories do people searching Research Lab Manager jobs in Waynesboro, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Lab Manager jobs in Waynesboro, VA are:

What cities near Waynesboro, VA are hiring for Research Lab Manager jobs?

Cities near Waynesboro, VA with the most Research Lab Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Lab Manager job openings in Waynesboro, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,442 per year, or $31 per hour.

Design Researcher, The Natural Infrastructure Lab - The School of Architecture

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


University Of Virginia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

210th of 622 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The School of Architecture at the University of Virginia is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Design Researcher at the Natural Infrastructure Lab (NIL). NIL sits at the intersection of art, science, and engineering, conducting design research using landscape architectural methods to advance the design, planning, and management of innovative, culturally significant infrastructure. This position will work closely with Lab Manager Ruby Zielinski and Associate Professor Brian Davis, PLA, FAAR, to research new forms of natural infrastructure for coastal bays and estuaries along the East Coast of the United States.
The Design Researcher will work across the full portfolio of NIL's projects, with an emphasis on Tidelands, which aims to study existing natural forms and human practices of coastal protection and develop new forms of design that increase human and ecosystem health over time. Tidelands is a collaborative effort between the University of Auburn and the University of Pennsylvania, funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers Engineering With Nature program.
This position will explore possibilities through fieldwork, large-scale physical and digital modeling, reviewing existing literature and projects, and mapping, drawing, and writing typically required in large-scale landscape architecture projects. Not all skills are required at the start, but applicants must be motivated, curious, organized, and work well with others. The job will involve travel for fieldwork and collaborative workshops, as well as physical work in the lab and desktop analysis.
The Natural Infrastructure Lab is co-directed by Brian Davis and Michael Luegering in the Department of Landscape Architecture at UVA. The Department has a long tradition of design excellence with an emphasis on theory and cultural landscapes, work on post-industrial lands, and with vulnerable communities. This ethos is evident in the Lab's work on natural infrastructure for coastlines. The Design Researcher would join a thriving research community at the Department, including PhD candidates and faculty working across a wide range of topics.
Key Functions include:
  • Prepare drawings and maps, analyzing and synthesizing insights into existing coastal landscapes.
  • Review scientific literature and published projects from engineering and landscape design.
  • Participate in field-based research to describe landscape form and processes.
  • Participate in design workshops with stakeholders and multi-university project teams.
  • Advance infrastructure design concepts.
  • Help build, run, and maintain large, physical models.
  • Learn and apply numerical coastal models, especially wave and hydrodynamic models.
  • Produce renderings of natural infrastructure concepts in specific locations.
  • Assist in preparing articles for peer review and reports for agencies and other constituents.
  • Drone surveying (training and licensure will be supported).

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree
  • At least 3 years of relevant experience. Master's degree will be considered in place of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Degree in landscape architecture or related discipline.
  • Experience with design, grounded in the integration of aesthetic, cultural, and ecological dimensions of landscape
  • Demonstrated ability to learn basic physical and numerical modeling methods and be comfortable with quantitative analysis of landscape form and process
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively communicate with others
  • Familiarity with software used in landscape architectural representation, including Adobe CS, Rhino 3D, and ArcGIS.
  • Experience with nature-based infrastructure design and/or design for dynamic landscapes shaped by the interaction of water, sediment, and vegetation
  • Savvy with digital modeling software and GIS mapping software
  • Experience in writing project proposals and/or grant applications
  • Experience with research-by-design methods
  • Excellent written communication skills
  • Some prior project management experience, or experience working as an integral member of large project teams

Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.
Salary Range
  • The anticipated hiring range is $60,000 - $70,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location
  • This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits .
  • This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
  • This position has a term limit of one year, after which continued employment will depend on department need and funding.
  • This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community
To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .
Application Timeline
Application review will begin August 12, 2026.
Additional Requirements
  • Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
  • This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply
Please apply online , by searching for requisition number
R0085679. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website . Complete an application with the following documents:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • A portfolio demonstrating an ability to imagine and depict coastal design and natural features in complex conditions, as well as small-scale technical details (no more than 10 pages)

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Reference Check Process
Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.
Contact
  • For questions about the position, please contact Ruby Zielinski: ruby.zielinski@virginia.edu
  • For questions about the application process, please contact Melanie Sponaugle, unw5dq@virginia.edu

Job Profile
J1897 - Social Sciences and Humanities Research Professional 2
Career Stream and Level
Professional-P2
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

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About University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819