Greentown Labs seeks Wet Lab Manager

Job Title: Wet Lab Manager

Job Level: Full-time, Salaried

Compensation: Salary Range $60,000 – $76,000 

About Greentown Labs: 

Greentown Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit catalyzing climate solutions through entrepreneurship, partnership, and collaboration. As the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, Greentown brings together startups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and others with a focus on scaling climate technologies. Driven by the mission of providing startups the community, connections, and resources they need to thrive, Greentown offers lab space, shared office space, machine shops, electronics labs, tool shops, software and business resources, and a large network of corporate customers, investors, and more. With incubators in Somerville, Mass. and Houston, Texas, Greentown is home to more than 200 startups and has supported more than 500 since the incubator’s founding in 2011. These startups have collectively created more than 11,000 jobs and raised more than $5.7 billion in funding. For more information, visit www.greentownlabs.com or follow Greentown on LinkedIn.

About the Position:

This position reports to Greentown’s Senior Director of Wet Lab Operations. This role is also responsible for ensuring the lab is a fully functional and convenient place for our members. The Wet Lab Manager works to solve the operational and safety challenges members may face when utilizing a shared laboratory. The Wet Lab manager utilizes chemical- and biological-safety knowledge and hazardous-waste-management training to enforce and maintain health and safety regulations, collaborate in developing safety protocols, and manage safe material handling. Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, calibration, supply procurement, and inventory management to ensure access to necessary resources. As a key communicator, the manager addresses operational and safety challenges, facilitating a collaborative environment. 

This role is expected to be on-site at Greentown Labs in Somerville, Mass., at least four days per week, with the option to work remotely one day per week.

The Wet Lab Manager role will focus on the following key objectives: 1) Wet lab operations and safety, 2) Regulatory compliance and equipment management, and 3) Serving and supporting wet lab members to ensure their smooth operations.

Primary Responsibilities of this Role Include: 

• Manage wet lab support staff and coordinate with vendors, ensuring efficient workflow and high-quality service delivery; conduct regular walkthroughs to identify and promptly address issues related to lab operations and staff performance and provide ongoing training to support their continued growth and expand their capabilities.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with regulatory agencies, such as MassDEP, MWRA, and local fire and biosafety committees, ensuring compliance with all regulations.
• Oversee lifecycle management of shared laboratory equipment, from installation to decommissioning, including routine maintenance, repairs, and vendor contractor negotiations. 
• Proactively evaluate and address safety requests, ensuring solutions align with lab safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluate and resolve incoming safety requests (e.g., job safety analyses, hazardous

waste requests, sink disposal requests) with a nuanced approach, considering the

shared laboratory space and ensuring safety and compliance.

• Lead hazardous-waste-management initiatives, ensuring environmentally responsible disposal and compliance with federal and local regulations across Greentown Boston’s campus.
• Play a key role on the safety team, actively contributing to developing and promoting comprehensive safety protocols and programs and presenting at safety representatives meetings.
• Oversee the first-aid offering and program for Greentown Boston.
• Serve as project manager for all wet lab repair and improvement projects.
• Collaborate in developing and overseeing the wet lab budget, regularly reviewing expenses and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Conduct in-depth, bimonthly operational reviews with member companies to better understand their requirements, address challenges, and promote a supportive research environment.
• Collaborate closely with the memberships team to review prospective members’ wet lab needs and facilitate the onboarding of new members, ensuring a smooth transition through guided tours, safety briefings, and operations assessments.
• Available 24/7 for on-call duty to respond promptly to emergency situations and alarms, ensuring immediate and effective resolutions.

Required Skills and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; master’s degree or higher-level degree a plus
• 5+ years of experience in laboratory settings  
• Understanding of hazardous-waste handling, EH&S, and wet lab equipment
  • OSHA, RCRA, DOT/IATA Training, certification, or working knowledge are a plus
• Familiarity with troubleshooting high-end, sensitive, precision analytical equipment
• Excellent communication skills 
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace  
• Familiarity and comfort with the fast-paced nature of a startup, with the ability to receive, prioritize, and react to information with minimal oversight  
• Meticulous attention to detail; strong planning and critical thinking skills with the ability to anticipate needs and actions 
• Respectful, customer-focused attitude; strong decorum and ability to be discreet 
• A mission-driven individual who is fulfilled and motivated by the goal of supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in solving the world’s biggest climate challenges 
• Curious, eager to learn, and a team player; “no task is too small” mentality 

Compensation, Location, + Benefits:

The salary for this position is $60,000 and is commensurate with experience up to $76,000. Greentown offers a generous benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a paid parental leave policy, a 401k plan, and 25 days (5 weeks) of PTO plus holidays. This role is expected to be on-site at least four days per week, with the option to work remotely one day per week.

Employment with Greentown Labs is on an “at will” basis, which means either the applicant/employee or Greentown Labs can end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without prior notice.

To Apply :

Please submit your resume and cover letter that answers the following four questions to our Application Portal.

• How does your prior experience prepare you for the role of wet lab manager?
• Why are you interested in this position with Greentown, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) focused on climatetech innovation?
• How have you demonstrated your commitment to DEI through your work?
• Why is now the right time for you to be taking on this role?