Job Description

Cajal is seeking a Office /  Lab Manager motivated by Cajal’s mission to develop new medicines for patients suffering with neurodegenerative disorders. We are a multi-disciplinary team of experienced scientists, combining state-of-the-art approaches in computational biology, functional genomics, high-throughput imaging, translational models, and drug discovery. In a short time, we have assembled a terrific team of talented, innovative, and passionate individuals to transform the field of neurodegeneration drug discovery. We aim to identify novel drug targets based on a deeper understanding into the spatiotemporal progression of disease and translate those discoveries into therapeutics that change the course of neurodegeneration. Cajal is now expanding to establish a world-class drug discovery organization.

As the Office /  Lab Manager, reporting to the Director, Facilities, EHS & Ops, you will own day-to-day operations management of the Cajal Neuroscience laboratory and office. You will work closely with the Director, Facilities, EHS & Ops to develop and implement policies geared at maintaining a laboratory and office environment where Cajal’s staff can thrive.  

Responsibilities:

  • Office & Administrative Operations: 
    • Build and optimize processes to tackle administrative tasks that keep office and lab operational systems on track (i.e. file management, tracking systems, workplace / guest experience operations, inventories, maintenance records, receiving, etc.)
    • Be an operational point of contact for Cajal internal team, as well as for guests, vendors, business partners and board members; provide logistical support for internal and external meetings; participate in planning engagement programs and activities, including larger team events
    • Draft documents, reports, and presentations; develop guides and ‘how-to’ explanations
    • Facilitate the candidate and employee experience, including supporting  interviews, onboarding and offboarding processes
  • Lab Operations Support:
    • Manage lab equipment life-cycle activities; facilitating a system of maintenance where work is completed in-house, by lab staff, and by vendors 
    • Respond to and troubleshoot general lab maintenance requests and on-demand issues affecting lab operations, including equipment monitoring/alarm systems
    • Facilitate lab organizational, tidying and cleaning efforts, including freezer re-orgs/defrosts/cleanouts, building systems for glasswashing/autoclaving, and coordinating regular all-team lab cleaning events
    • Work closely with management and vendors to facilitate a safe and compliant lab environment
  • Materials management support: 
    • Collaborate with end users and finance team members to ensure effective procurement, shipment receiving, and supply inventory management for lab and office
    • Maintain/obtain training certification as needed to ship hazardous materials per DOT and IATA regulations. Work closely with couriers and shipping services to facilitate outgoing shipment success. 

This job might be great for you if you:

  • Are service-oriented and collaborative
  • Are enthusiastic about operational excellence, and enjoy problem solving and process improvement
  • Take pride in your work and the environment you create
  • Enjoy solving how to prioritize a variety of workstreams, with a keen eye on getting the job done 
  • Have strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships
  • Have strong time management and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
  • Have a B.S. or higher, preferably in Life Sciences or Engineering
  • Have 3-5+ years lab management experience, including experience with procurement
  • Are able to work on-site full-time
  • Are available to work off-hours/to be on-call as needed for incident response
  • Are able to lift up to 30lbs and stand/walk for extended periods of time

Important Considerations

  • This is an on-site role at our Eastlake (Seattle) headquarters.
  • This opportunity does not offer visa sponsorship.
  • The annual base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $120,000*

*Final salary depends on qualifications, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with location, where applicable.

Company & Benefits

Cajal is a team of people-first individuals, motivated by our shared mission to advance the field of neurodegeneration. We are committed to ensuring that all our team members feel supported, connected, and energized at work. Our team members eagerly navigate the uncertainty and fast-paced environment of an early-stage biotech company and thrive on getting things done. We value creativity and curiosity in our work, and we take pride in the generosity, sincerity, and kindness of our team members.

Benefits include:

  • Competitive compensation based on experience level
  • Health insurance: 100% coverage of premiums for employee, partner, & all dependents
  • Dental insurance: 100% of premiums
  • Vision insurance: 100% of premiums
  • Life insurance: 100% of premiums for 2x salary coverage
  • Access to Flexible Spending Account
  • 401(K) Plan with matching contributions
  • 5 weeks paid time off plus 13 company holidays (2 floating)
  • 8 weeks parental leave for primary caregiver or 4 weeks for secondary caregiver in addition to WA Paid Family & Medical Leave (up to 12 additional weeks)
  • Generous commuter benefits including free metro cards, on site locker rooms/showers/towel service, modern bike cage and free bike tunes

Located in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle, Cajal sits at the heart of a vibrant biotech community, directly between research giants such as the Allen Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. We are surrounded by fellow innovative biotech companies and startups and within a stone’s throw of the beautiful Lake Union and the University of Washington. Our newly renovated office and labs offer ample natural light and stunning views of the Space Needle, Lake Union, and downtown. Our kitchen is fully stocked with coffee, tea, and snacks. All desks are sit-stand for maximal comfort and our meeting rooms seamlessly support hybrid teams.

Cajal is an equal opportunity employer that guarantees a work environment that respects and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you require any accommodations during the recruiting process, please coordinate with your recruiting contact.

To Apply Please apply with your CV/resume and cover letter via Greenhouse.

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