hVIVO would like to recruit an experienced / senior Laboratory Operations Manager (LOM)  to join our laboratory division on a 12-month fixed-term contract based in Canary Wharf, London.

The hVIVO laboratory function undertakes sample processing and analysis for all clinical trials conducted at hVIVO. The laboratory team has a diverse work stream including internal studies, sponsored clinical trials and standalone projects. The team also performs bespoke assay development and validation work as well as collaborating with strategic partners.

The Laboratory Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the smooth day to day running of laboratory operations. The LOM has responsibility for the management of the Research Scientists, Team Leaders, Research Assistants, and the flexible resource Laboratory Technician teams.

The role requires proficiency in resource and people management whilst providing guidance on policies and regulations, and laboratory health and safety.  The candidate will provide project and operational management, quality guidance and support, whilst working with the team to ensure that all projects are managed within the scope of the contract. They will also ensure that staff are trained and that there is sufficient staffing to conduct all assigned work.

Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining all aspects of quality within the lab, for all project activities and associated documentation. They will also oversee any responsibilities assigned to their team members.

The candidate will be a team player that works well under pressure and can motivate others. Experience in line management, project management and a working knowledge of GCP and MHRA standards in a clinical trial environment is essential. Experience working within containment level 2 and 3 labs is also required.

• Proactively review and implement systems and processes to ensure operational efficiencies and data integrity,
• Ability to make decisions and judgements based on expert and wide-ranging knowledge and interpretation of specific situations,
• Enforce regulations and guidelines in a way that is rigorous but acceptable to senior scientific staff,
• Manage time effectively to meet competing demands, ensuring that work is prioritised and that outputs are delivered on time, as well as be flexible in order to accommodate and prioritise unscheduled requests,
• Review SOPs and other regulatory documents to ensure their scientific robustness and/or that any changes in regulatory guidelines are reflected, as well as liaising with the QA department ensuring that quality is maintained in all projects, Responsibility for the Laboratories Health and Safety compliance and ensuring that the appropriate risk assessments/COSHH are in place,
• Ensuring the project and staffing work schedule is maintained, coordinating laboratory time and equipment requirements across projects,
• Line management of the Research Scientists and Lab ops Team Leaders,
• Provide training and mentoring to staff to facilitate staff development and to ensure that the required skills are available to meet the business needs,
• Support Team Leaders in proactively managing the flexible resource requirements and make sure that a pool of bank staff is maintained that can adjust to changing business needs,
• Review candidate CVs and participate in candidate interviews and selection as required, Monitor staff workload to prevent and/or overcome conflicting priorities,
• Ensure staff perform their duties to the required standards while complying to guidelines and regulations

• Bsc/Msc in relevant scientific subject (2:1 or above preferable) or equivalent
• Previous experience working to GCP and MHRA standards in a clinical trial/pharmaceutical environment
• Line management experience
• Project management Experience
• Experience working within containment level 2 and 3 labs