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Science Lab Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary: Predicine is seeking an experienced Lab Manager / Senior Manager, NGS Laboratory ... Apply today and help us turn breakthrough science into better patient outcomes. Predicine is an ...

Certified Group is committed to partnering with customers to deliver innovative scientific ... The Manager is accountable for all quality, customer, people, financial, and workflow activities ...

Certified Group is committed to partnering with customers to deliver innovative scientific ... The Manager is accountable for all quality, customer, people, financial, and workflow activities ...

Microbiology Lab Manager

Burbank, CA · On-site

$100 - $135/hr

Certified Group is committed to partnering with customers to deliver innovative scientific ... The Manager is accountable for all quality, customer, people, financial, and workflow activities ...

Manager, NGS Lab

Hayward, CA · On-site

$170 - $230/hr

Manager, NGS Lab Full Time Hayward, CA, US 8 days ago Requisition ID: 1102 Job Summary: Predicine ... Science, or a related field Same fields Experience Minimum Preferred Work Experience 5+ years of ...

The role operates with a strong general manager mindset, balancing scientific rigor and cGMP discipline with business acumen, resource optimization, customer engagement, and continuous improvement.

Showing results 41-60

Science Lab Manager information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$90.8K

$147K

How much do science lab manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for science lab manager in California is $90,756.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a science lab manager do?

A Science Lab Manager oversees the daily operations of a laboratory, ensuring that it runs efficiently and safely. Their responsibilities include managing lab staff, maintaining equipment, ordering supplies, implementing safety protocols, and ensuring compliance with regulations. They may also assist with budgeting, training new staff, and supporting research activities. Science Lab Managers play a crucial role in enabling scientific research and education by keeping the lab organized and functional.

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

To thrive as a Science Lab Manager, you need a strong background in laboratory sciences, leadership experience, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant scientific field. Familiarity with lab management software, safety protocols, inventory systems, and regulatory compliance certifications is essential. Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating teams and ensuring a safe, efficient environment. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining high laboratory standards, supporting research goals, and ensuring safety and compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by science lab managers, and how can they be addressed?

Science Lab Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with hands-on lab supervision, maintaining compliance with safety regulations, and managing inventory within budget constraints. To address these, effective time management, regular communication with staff, and thorough documentation of protocols are essential. Building strong relationships with vendors and fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the team can also help mitigate these challenges and ensure smooth lab operations.

What is the difference between Science Lab Manager vs Science Technician?

AspectScience Lab ManagerScience Technician
CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in science, management experienceAssociate’s or Bachelor’s degree in science or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees lab operations, manages staff, ensures safetyPerforms experiments, maintains equipment, supports research
Employer & Industry UsageResearch labs, educational institutions, biotech companiesLaboratories, research facilities, educational settings

The Science Lab Manager primarily oversees lab operations, staff, and safety protocols, requiring management skills and relevant degrees. In contrast, the Science Technician focuses on conducting experiments, maintaining equipment, and supporting research activities. Both roles are essential in scientific environments but differ in responsibilities and required qualifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Science Lab jobs in California?

The most popular types of Science Lab jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Science Lab Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Science Lab Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Science Lab Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,756 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Manager, NGS Lab

Predicine, Inc

Hayward, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead daily wet-lab operations, including sample accessioning, preparation, sequencing, and QC, to meet project timelines and TAT requirements.

  • Manage, coach, and develop laboratory staff, ensuring appropriate staffing, training, and workload distribution.

  • Monitor laboratory performance, review QC results, investigate failures and deviations, and support root-cause analysis and CAPA activities.


Job description

Job Summary:

Predicine is seeking an experienced Lab Manager / Senior Manager, NGS Laboratory Operations to lead day-to-day wet laboratory operations and support the continued growth of our NGS programs. This role manages laboratory personnel, workflows, scheduling, quality, productivity, and operational performance across multiple NGS assays and projects. The ideal candidate combines strong NGS technical expertise, people leadership, and operational management skills to ensure high-quality, efficient, and timely laboratory execution — from sample accessioning and library preparation through sequencing and QC — while partnering cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Bioinformatics, Clinical/Project Management, and Supply Chain to keep laboratory operations scalable, compliant, and audit-ready.

Key Responsibilities & Time Allocation

% of TimeResponsibility30%Daily Lab Operations Management — Lead daily wet-lab operations, including sample accessioning, sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, target enrichment, sequencing, and QC; manage scheduling, staffing, batching, equipment, and priorities to meet project timelines and TAT requirements.20%People Leadership & Staff Development — Manage, coach, train, and develop laboratory staff; ensure appropriate staffing, training, competency, and workload distribution.15%Performance Monitoring & Quality Investigation — Monitor laboratory performance (throughput, TAT, QC failure rates, repeat/reprocessing rates, productivity, equipment utilization); review QC results and investigate sample failures, operational errors, and deviations; support root-cause analysis, CAPA, and reprocessing decisions.10%Compliance & Regulatory Readiness — Ensure laboratory activities follow approved SOPs, quality requirements, Good Laboratory Practices, and applicable regulatory standards; maintain laboratory readiness for internal audits, client audits, and regulatory inspections.10%Technical Leadership & Troubleshooting — Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting for NGS workflows, equipment, reagents, and laboratory processes.10%Continuous Improvement & Assay Transfer — Drive continuous improvement in laboratory quality, efficiency, capacity, automation, and scalability; support implementation and transfer of new assays and workflows from R&D into routine laboratory operations.5%Cross-Functional Partnership & Risk Communication — Partner with Quality, R&D, Bioinformatics, Clinical/Project Management, Automation, BioLIMS/LIMS, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams; identify operational risks, resource needs, and capacity constraints and communicate them to leadership.


Education


MinimumPreferredLevelBachelor's degreeMaster's degree or PhDField of StudyMolecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related fieldSame fields

Experience


MinimumPreferredWork Experience5+ years of relevant molecular biology/NGS laboratory experience (additional experience expected for the Senior Manager level); demonstrated laboratory leadership or people-management experienceExperience in a CLIA/CAP-regulated molecular diagnostics or NGS laboratory

Required Skills & Qualifications

  • Strong knowledge of NGS workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and QC
  • Experience managing laboratory workflow, staffing, priorities, and turnaround time in a production, clinical, diagnostic, CRO, or high-throughput laboratory environment
  • Strong troubleshooting, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

  • Experience with liquid biopsy, plasma/cfDNA, tissue/FFPE, RNA, MRD, WES/WGS, or oncology NGS workflows
  • Experience with Illumina NovaSeq X/X Plus or other high-throughput sequencing platforms
  • Experience with laboratory automation, liquid handlers, and LIMS/BioLIMS
  • Experience with assay validation, technology transfer, CAPA, audits, and regulatory inspections
  • Demonstrated experience scaling laboratory operations and improving workflow efficiency

Additional Notes

  • The position may be filled at either the Lab Manager or Senior Manager level, depending on the candidate's experience, technical expertise, leadership scope, and demonstrated ability to manage complex NGS laboratory operations
  • This is primarily an onsite laboratory leadership position and may require schedule flexibility to support operational needs

Join Us

At Predicine, you won't just manage a lab — you'll lead the operational engine behind cancer diagnostics that clinicians and patients depend on. If you're a hands-on leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and ensuring every sample tells an accurate story, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and help us turn breakthrough science into better patient outcomes.

Predicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.