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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Lab Coordinator

💰 $48,000 - $70,000

ScienceResearchOperationsHealthcare

🎯 Role Definition

The Lab Coordinator is the operational backbone of the laboratory, ensuring that the scientific and research environment runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently. This role is a critical hub of activity, bridging the gap between scientific staff, management, and administrative functions. More than just a support role, the Lab Coordinator is a proactive problem-solver and a guardian of lab standards, directly enabling researchers and technicians to focus on their critical work by managing the complex logistics of a modern lab. They are the go-to person for everything from equipment functionality and supply availability to safety compliance and new team member onboarding.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Lab Technician / Research Technician
  • Senior Research Assistant
  • Administrative Assistant (within a scientific or clinical setting)

Advancement To:

  • Laboratory Manager
  • Senior Lab Operations Specialist
  • Facilities or Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist
  • Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Inventory and Procurement Management: Meticulously track, manage, and maintain optimal levels of laboratory consumables, reagents, chemicals, and supplies to prevent workflow disruptions, sourcing from approved vendors and negotiating for cost-effective purchasing.
  • Equipment Oversight and Maintenance: Serve as the primary point of contact for all laboratory equipment, scheduling and documenting preventative maintenance, calibrations, and repairs with service vendors to ensure peak performance and minimize downtime.
  • Safety and Compliance Stewardship: Champion a culture of safety by implementing and enforcing all lab safety protocols (EHS), conducting regular safety inspections, managing chemical hygiene plans, and ensuring the lab is compliant with OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory standards.
  • Chemical and Reagent Management: Oversee the entire lifecycle of laboratory chemicals, including receiving, proper storage according to compatibility and hazard class, maintaining an accurate chemical inventory database (e.g., using ChemManager), and coordinating hazardous waste disposal.
  • SOP Development and Documentation: Draft, revise, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for routine lab operations, equipment use, and safety protocols, ensuring all documentation is current and accessible to lab personnel.
  • Onboarding and Training: Coordinate the onboarding and orientation process for new lab members, providing essential training on lab-specific procedures, safety rules, equipment usage, and emergency protocols.
  • Sample and Specimen Coordination: Manage the intake, logging, tracking, and proper storage of incoming research samples or clinical specimens using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other tracking software.
  • Laboratory Organization and Cleanliness: Uphold high standards of organization and cleanliness within all lab spaces, including benches, common areas, and storage rooms, to ensure an efficient and safe working environment.
  • Vendor and Service Contract Management: Act as the main liaison for external vendors, service engineers, and suppliers; manage service contracts, schedule visits, and review invoices for accuracy.
  • Budgetary and Financial Tracking: Assist Lab Management or Principal Investigators with budget tracking for consumables and equipment service, providing reports on spending and helping to forecast future needs.
  • Logistical and Shipping Coordination: Prepare, package, and document domestic and international shipments of biological materials, chemicals, and research samples in compliance with IATA/DOT regulations.
  • Scheduling and Resource Allocation: Manage schedules for shared equipment and facility resources to ensure equitable and efficient access for all research teams and prevent booking conflicts.

Secondary Functions

  • Emergency Response Coordination: Act as a key member of the lab's emergency response team, maintaining emergency supplies (spill kits, first aid) and ensuring personnel are knowledgeable about evacuation and emergency procedures.
  • Technical Support and Troubleshooting: Provide first-line troubleshooting assistance for common equipment malfunctions and software issues, escalating complex problems to technical support or service engineers as needed.
  • Meeting and Event Coordination: Organize and facilitate lab meetings, safety committee meetings, and vendor technology shows, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and tracking action items.
  • Data and Record Management: Ensure meticulous and organized record-keeping for equipment maintenance logs, safety training certificates, and chemical inventory reports, preparing them for internal or external audits.
  • Process Improvement Initiatives: Proactively identify inefficiencies in lab workflows or procedures and propose practical solutions to improve operational effectiveness, reduce waste, or enhance safety.
  • Asset Management: Maintain a comprehensive and accurate asset list of all capital equipment within the laboratory, including serial numbers, purchase dates, and service history.
  • Support for Grant and Manuscript Preparation: Assist research staff by gathering supporting documentation or data related to lab facilities, equipment, or safety protocols for inclusion in grant proposals or publications.
  • Inter-departmental Liaison: Serve as a communication bridge between the lab and other institutional departments such as Facilities, Finance, Procurement, and EHS to resolve issues and streamline processes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Inventory Management Systems: Proficiency with software for tracking and ordering lab supplies (e.g., Quartzy, Prendio, SAP).
  • Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS): Experience with or ability to quickly learn LIMS for sample tracking and data management.
  • Chemical Safety and Handling: Deep knowledge of SDS, chemical segregation, hazardous waste handling, and GHS labeling requirements.
  • Equipment Maintenance Coordination: Familiarity with the operational principles of standard lab equipment (centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, autoclaves) and ability to coordinate service.
  • Regulatory Knowledge (OSHA/EHS): Strong understanding of federal and local safety and environmental regulations applicable to a laboratory setting.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Excel for creating trackers and budgets, Word for SOPs, and Outlook for scheduling.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Organization & Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to manage multiple tasks, records, and inventories with precision and accuracy, leaving no detail overlooked.
  • Proactive Problem-Solving: The foresight to anticipate potential issues (e.g., a dwindling supply) and the initiative to resolve them before they impact lab operations.
  • Clear & Concise Communication: The ability to effectively communicate with scientists, administrative staff, and external vendors, both verbally and in writing.
  • Adaptability & Composure: The capacity to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced research environment and handle unexpected challenges calmly and efficiently.
  • Interpersonal & Collaborative Skills: A team-player mindset with a strong customer service orientation, focused on enabling the success of others.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science (M.S.) degree.
  • Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Lab Management, HAZWOPER).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related life science field.
  • Laboratory Science or Clinical Laboratory Science.

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of hands-on experience working in a biological, chemical, clinical, or academic research laboratory environment.

Preferred: Direct experience in a role with responsibilities in lab operations, inventory management, or as a senior lab technician with coordination duties is highly desirable.

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