Lab Manager, Health and Wellness Core, Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development

Lab Manager, Health and Wellness Core, Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development - UTK

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The Health and Wellness Research Core Manager will play a foundational role in establishing and developing a new clinical research core facility within the university. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the operations, strategy, and vision of a core facility that will provide essential support for clinical and translational research and innovation. By collaborating with researchers, clinicians, and administrative teams, the Core Manager will ensure the facility becomes a cornerstone for advancing patient care and scientific discovery.

The program works collaboratively with researchers, scientific staff, and users to make shared resources broadly available under a sustainable fee structure. This position involves not only managing day-to-day operations but also building the infrastructure, processes, and team needed to launch and sustain the core’s success. This collaborative but leadership-driven role helps ensure the Core’s financial sustainability and readiness to support an R1 research enterprise.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in research administration, excellent communication skills, and attention to detail.

• Manages and coordinates the daily activities and operational functions of the clinical research laboratory.
• Exercises a high degree of independence in decision-making related to lab and facility management.
• Responsible for making day-to-day and strategic decisions related to laboratory operations, equipment utilization, scheduling, maintenance, and workflow optimization to ensure reliable, compliant, and efficient facility performance.
• Independently evaluates operational priorities, resolves technical and logistical issues, and implements process improvements that directly impact service delivery, cost recovery, and researcher productivity.
• Makes independent recommendations to the CFP Director regarding equipment upgrades, service expansion, vendor selection, and staffing needs, using data, faculty input, and benchmarking against peer R1 institutions.
• Autonomously maintains a responsive, sustainable, and high-performing research facility that supports externally funded, time-sensitive research activities.
• Conducts and oversees all quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) processes to meet regulatory and institutional standards.
• Schedules, allocates, and oversees use of laboratory space, shared resources, and specialized equipment.
• Instructs and trains faculty, staff, and students on proper and safe operation of laboratory equipment and materials.
• Prepares and maintains annual rate sheets, ensuring rates are accurate, defensible, and aligned with cost-recovery requirements and institutional policies.
• Supervises laboratory personnel, including training, performance management, and workflow oversight.
• Manages operational budgets for facility supplies, service contracts, and personnel, making informed decisions to balance service quality, fiscal responsibility, and research needs.
• Manages financial transactions, including preparing, monitoring, and reconciling budgets.
• Develops and maintains costing structures for billable services and recharge operations.
• Works in close consultation with the CFP business manager to ensure compliance with institutional, sponsor, and audit requirements, while providing data-driven input for forecasting, capital planning, and staffing adjustments.

• Provides strategic leadership for a complex, multi-user research environment, ensuring that facility operations, technologies, and services align with current and emerging priorities of a high-impact, externally funded research enterprise.
• Participates in long-range and strategic planning for laboratory growth, equipment acquisition, and service development.
• Aligns facility capabilities with current and emerging research priorities…