Head of Laboratory at Natural State

This role requires daily on-site presence with strong leadership and close collaboration with the other teams in the Impact Monitoring department as well as external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be both technically proficient and a capable team builder, ready to grow lab capabilities, mentor and develop the lab team, ensure operational excellence, and deliver measurable value through scientific and commercial impact.

Responsibilities:

Laboratory Operations & Quality Management

• Manage daily operations of the lab, ensuring optimal workflow, safety, and compliance with quality standards (e.g., ISO/GLP where applicable).
• Co-develop and implement a strategy for the lab
• Oversee and implement analytical methodologies in spectroscopy, eDNA, invertebrate, and soil biodiversity analysis.
• Ensure rigorous quality control and assurance procedures across all lab activities.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), lab protocols, and health & safety documentation.
• Oversee data management standards and digital pipelines to ensure traceability, reproducibility, and integration with broader analytical frameworks
• Lead the development of a comprehensive QA/QC framework covering sample handling, analysis, equipment calibration, and reporting.

Commercialisation & Service Provision

• Co-develop and implement the lab’s commercialisation strategy, establishing fee-for-service models for internal departments and external partners.
• Define service pricing structures, forecast revenue, and manage lab P&L in alignment with organizational goals.
• Build and manage relationships with external clients and partners, ensuring delivery of timely, accurate, and cost-effective analytical results.
• Monitor and report on lab performance metrics (e.g., turnaround times, cost per sample, client satisfaction).
• Explore and develop partnerships with other service providers to compliment the NS lab’s capabilities, leveraging advances in AI and machine learning to optimise analysis and outputs.

Capacity Building & Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of lab technicians, analysts, students, and interns.
• Identify skills gaps and provide professional development opportunities to build a high-performing lab team.
• Develop and deliver regular training sessions on lab conduct and health and safety standards, ensuring a culture of scientific integrity within the lab.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation processes for lab personnel.

Research & Development Support

• Collaborate with internal research teams and the Impact Monitoring department to design and support field sampling campaigns and analytical studies.
• Contribute to the development and validation of new analytical techniques and tools.
• Actively contribute to the development of the strategic framework for scaling lab operations.

Resource & Infrastructure Management

• Manage lab inventory, procurement, and maintenance of analytical instruments (e.g., spectrometers, sequencing equipment, microscopes).
• Oversee the calibration, troubleshooting, and upgrading of lab equipment.

Requirements:

• MSc or PhD in Environmental Science, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Soil Science, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in laboratory management or senior lab role, preferably in an environmental or ecological context.
• Proven experience in at least one of the following: spectroscopy, molecular biology/genetics or soil biodiversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage laboratory budgets, resources, and teams.
• Experience delivering scientific services on a commercial basis or within contract research environments.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and standards for lab accreditation.
• Strong project management skills and client communication experience.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and students