Lab Manager in the Cell Fate Decoding and Engineering Lab

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy

The role

The Lab Manager will play a central role in ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient operation of the Cell Fate Decoding and Engineering Lab. This position combines laboratory operations, safety and compliance, resource and inventory management, and scientific support. The Lab Manager will manage purchasing and inventory, including tracking orders, receiving, unpacking deliveries, and storage/documentation. They will prepare in-house reagents, aliquots, and curate stocks and lab databases for cell lines, plasmids, antibodies, etc. They will be responsible for implementing health and safety regulations, including work with BSL2 materials and human pluripotent stem cells, as well as onboarding new lab members in laboratory procedures and safety. Serving as the primary administrative point of contact for the group, the lab manager will be responsible for room and facility bookings, reporting and following up on technical or infrastructure issues, preparing and submitting documentation for imports, equipment purchases, and ethics approvals, and coordinating routine equipment maintenance such as pipette calibration. They will also organize and oversee laboratory cleaning and related logistical activities. In addition to management duties, they will provide hands-on scientific support in cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genomics workflows, including bulk and single-cell omics, and may contribute to or drive research projects/methods development depending on experience. The lab manager is expected to work fully onsite during office hours.

About the lab

The Cell Fate Decoding and Engineering Lab is an emerging research group established in 2025, dedicated to engineering human cell diversity for applications in disease modelling, drug discovery, and cell replacement therapies. We aim to decode gene regulation in cell fate decision and leverage this knowledge engineer human cell identities across diverse biological contexts. Our research integrates single-cell omics, perturbation screening, stem cell-derived human 2D/3D models, and quantitative biology approaches. The group currently consists of three PhD students and is expanding in 2026 with the recruitment of a Lab Manager and a postdoctoral researcher. We are an international and interdisciplinary team, supported by funding from the European Research Council (ERC) and the La Caixa Foundation.

Whom would we like to hire?

Professional experience

Must Have

You hold a PhD in a biological science related field, or a master’s degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience
You have experience working in established biological laboratory environments, with hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture and routine techniques in cell, molecular, and biochemical biology, including cloning, qPCR, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry
You have experience supporting daily laboratory operations and tasks

Desirable but not required/ Nice to have

Background in stem cell biology, developmental biology, or cell fate/state transitions
Experience working with human stem cell models is highly advantageous
Expertise in genomics approaches, including bulk and/or single-cell sequencing
Experience with lentiviral work and BSL2 laboratory environments
Expertise in flow cytometry and microscopy
Experience in implementing advanced methods or developing new laboratory technologies.
Ability to contribute to or independently pursue research projects

Languages

You are fluent in English, both spoken and written
Spanish are desirable and may be required for effective communication and administrative processes

Technical skills

Excellent aseptic technique and extensive experience in mammalian cell culture
Strong practical expertise in routine cell, molecular, and biochemical biology techniques, including cloning, qPCR, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry
Ability to write, implement, and maintain SOPs and protocols, and to train others in correct laboratory techniques and troubleshooting
Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with standard office software (ex: MS Office) and basic data handling for reporting, tracking metrics, inventories, or budgets
Proficiency with common laboratory and documentation software, including electronic lab notebooks; experience with SnapGene and Adobe Illustrator is an advantage

Competences

Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
Ability to multi-tasking while maintaining reliability and consistency.
High level of autonomy, flexibility, and proactive attitude to laboratory management
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in an international, collaborative team
Analytical mindset, curiosity, and critical thinking, with a commitment to maintaining high scientific and operational standards

The Offer – Working Conditions

Contract duration: An initial contract of one year will be offered, with the expectation of extension subject to the laboratory’s activity and funding (anticipated until October 2030).
Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
Target start date: March 2026

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.