Position Title: Research Program Manager/Lab Manager
Req ID: 67191BR
School or Unit: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Description: Job Summary
The Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases (IID) focuses on the biological, immunological, epidemiological and ecological aspects of viral, bacterial and protozoan diseases of animals and humans, including the vectors that transmit infectious agents.
Position Description
We are seeking a Research Program Manager/Lab Manager who is excited about working in an interdisciplinary team environment. Due to the cross-disciplinary nature of Systems Serology and Systems Immunology, we are looking for a manager that can work in a fast paced, dynamic working environment.
This role maintains responsibility for the oversight of daily operations: staffing, training, budgets, supplies, as well as developing protocols, review of work, and reporting. The McNamara group has a large portfolio with many (18) grants and complicated data reporting requirements.
Duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Directly working with the PI to coordinating and research projects within the laboratory including compliance reporting, proper documentation and timely turnaround of updates to funders, collaborators, and ultimately, publications. This role requires coordinating with all members of the laboratory regarding IRB, IACUC, EH&S, compliance and documentation. The candidate is also expected to optimizing research and laboratory protocols, mentoring and training junior staff, and independently carrying out tasks described with limited oversight. The candidate must be willing to carry out duties within a team setting, hold themselves and other accountable for meticulous record keeping, and present at journal clubs to small groups and laboratory. The candidate will draft budgets, budget justifications, statements of work, and scientific reporting across all grants.
The candidate is also expected to have technical oral and written proficiency skils. This includes prior expience in programming languages such as R, python, SAS, etc. The candidate is expected to be heavily involved in equipment upkeep and maintenance. This includes ensuring laboratory compliance with equipment access, record keeping of regular quality control experiments, coordination with field technicians, and a willingness to troubleshoot.
Duties include ordering supplies, managing equipment, helping to onboard new lab members, shipping and handling in compliance with Harvard policies, coordinating with vendors, record keeping of all regulatory and safety compliance materials, and coordination with IRB and IACUC compliance on laboratory specimens, protocols, etc. The candidate is expected to facilitate in writing progress reports regarding grants, contracts, and research reports communicated to collaborators, funders, and publications/press releases.
In addition to the duties above, the candidate will be working in a unique team that is heavily engaged in cross-lab, cross-institution, and international collaborations, and as such will interact with a large variety of other staff and researchers including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior scientists. A positive attitude, high enthusiasm, and commitment to a respectful and working environment is a must.
The Research Program Manager will also perform other duties as assigned.
PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of November 1, 2025 of hire with the possibility of extension.
PLEASE NOTE: Some evening and weekend work may be necessary.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required
3+ years of relevant work experience required
Additional Qualifications and Skills
The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:
Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences or related field
Experience with MS excel, R studio or Python, and Adobe (Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator)
Previous experience with microsoft office and Adobe
Previous experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat
Passion for research
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Detail oriented, highly organized, work well independently and/or with small or large groups
The following cultural competencies are also preferred:
Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity
Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and goals
Additional Information
Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!
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The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any iteral Harvard employee transfers.
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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Department Office Location: USA - MA - Boston
Job Code: 405012 Admin Professional (N)
Job Function: General Administration
Work Format: On-Site
Sub Unit: ------------
Salary Grade: 056
Department: Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Time Status: Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening: Criminal, Identity
Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.
EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
