Lab Manager

Lab Manager R&D & Operations · Uppsala About the role At Navinci, we are passionate about understanding biology and disease at a deeper level. We develop technologies and applications that help researchers study proteins, signaling pathways, cellular biology, and molecular mechanisms directly in biological samples. Our work spans tissue and cell-based systems and increasingly combines information from multiple technologies and data types to generate richer biological insight. We collaborate with leading academic groups, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical partners worldwide to advance research and translational science. We are now looking for an experienced and hands-on Lab Manager to take overall responsibility for our laboratories, infrastructure, equipment, and operational support functions. This is a senior role with broad responsibility across laboratory operations, safety, facilities, equipment, and support for both R&D and production activities. Success in this role requires someone who enjoys combining strategic with practical laboratory work. You will be an important part of keeping our laboratories running efficiently while actively contributing to daily operations. What you will doLaboratory Operations & Facilities Maintain a well-organized, safe, and efficient laboratory environment Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory SOPs, instructions, and operational procedures Coordinate facility maintenance, service agreements, and landlord relations Oversee cleaning services and support infrastructure improvements Ensure laboratory resources are available to support R&D activities Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Lead and drive continuous EHS improvements across the organization Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards, biosafety requirements, and regulatory obligations Manage REACH and CLP related activities Create and maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Act as the primary contact for inspections Conduct safety inspections and follow up on corrective actions Equipment Management Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained, serviced, calibrated, and operating effectively Coordinate external service providers and maintenance activities Maintain equipment records, service logs, and calibration schedules Evaluate and implement new equipment and laboratory tools when needed Inventory & Procurement Manage inventory of reagents, consumables, and laboratory supplies Develop and maintain efficient stock management systems Coordinate purchasing and supplier relationships Ensure uninterrupted laboratory workflows while optimizing costs Laboratory Support Support scientists and production personnel with laboratory operations Assist with laboratory setup, optimization, and workflow improvements Coordinate laboratory resources to support project priorities and production timelines Act as a key point of contact for laboratory-related questions and operational support Cell Culture & Tissue Sectioning Take overall responsibility for cell culture laboratory functionality and equipment Propagate and maintain mammalian cell lines Produce and QC slides and materials for R&D and quality control activities Oversee tissue sectioning workflows and quality standards Ensure reproducibility, training, and continuous improvement of sectioning procedures Training & Leadership Train and onboard new employees in laboratory procedures, equipment usage, and safety practices Promote a culture of quality, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement Coordinate laboratory responsibilities and ensure compliance with established procedures Must-have qualifications MSc in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Life Science, or a related field (we also accept PhDs) Several years of laboratory experience in an industrial, academic, or healthcare setting Hands-on experience working in laboratory operations and support functions Experience with mammalian cell culture Experience with laboratory safety systems Experience managing laboratory equipment, maintenance, and service providers Strong organizational and project coordination skills Fluent in English, written and spoken Experience in most of the following areas Laboratory facility management Tissue sectioning and sample preparation Laboratory documentation Procurement and supplier management Scientific equipment qualification, maintenance, and calibration Change management and operational improvement projects Supporting both R&D and production environments Who you are Structured, organized, and dependable Hands-on and comfortable working in the laboratory on a daily basis Proactive and solution-oriented An excellent communicator who enjoys working with different functions across the company Comfortable balancing long-term planning with operational execution Driven to create efficient processes Flexible and willing to support the team where needed Motivated by enabling others to do great science Location: Uppsala, Sweden Department: R&D Employment type: Full-time

MEET ARAGO AND THE ARAGONIANS Arago is an AI and computer hardware company whose mission is to drive the course of history forward. We do so by accelerating breakthroughs at the intersection of AI and semiconductors. Founded in 2024 by AI researchers and physicists with deep expertise in photonics, electronics, software, mathematics, and machine learning, Arago brings together a lean team of engineers and scientists from the world’s top companies and research labs. Composed of nine nationalities and operating from hubs in France, North America, and Israel, we believe in great science and fast achievements. Our work is guided by these core principles: 1. Do great things: we deliver work we’re proud to sign our name to. 2. High velocity: speed matters. We move quickly, one step at a time. 3. One unit: we’re all in this together, with relationships grounded in trust, respect, and camaraderie. Arago is backed by executives from Apple, Arm, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Hugging Face, as well as prominent US and European deeptech venture firms and exited founders. WHAT YOU’LL DO As Lab Manager, you'll be the operational backbone of our R&D facility, making sure our lab and cleanroom are always in order, safe, and ready for the team to do its best work. You'll start by owning day-to-day equipment upkeep, supplies, and facility maintenance, and grow into broader responsibilities such as sourcing new equipment and improving our lab infrastructure as Arago scales. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE * Prior experience in a cleanroom environment, ideally in opto-electronics, photonics, semiconductor, or packaging; whether in an academic lab, a fab, or with a packaging/assembly provider is a strong plus. * Hands-on experience maintaining lab or workshop equipment (e.g. soldering stations, 3D printers, oscilloscopes and other measurement instruments). * Working knowledge of facility systems (cooling, HVAC, electrical) and health & safety standards. * Experience managing inventory, suppliers, and procurement, from getting quotes to placing and tracking orders. * A proactive, detail-oriented mindset: you notice what's missing or wearing out before it becomes a problem. * Strong organizational skills and the ability to build clear documentation and processes from scratch. * A hands-on, ownership-driven attitude: you're happy to roll up your sleeves and keep the lab running day to day. * Language: professional proficiency in both French and English. RESPONSIBILITIES * Maintain lab equipment in full working order, coordinating servicing or repairs when needed. * Manage inventory and consumables: track stock, anticipate needs, and place orders proactively so the team never runs out of critical supplies. * Operate and maintain the cleanroom, including its equipment, furniture, and environmental conditions. * Keep cooling, AC, and other facility systems running, scheduling preventive maintenance and responding quickly to issues. * Own cleanliness, organization, and safety across the facility. * Set up and maintain documentation and processes (equipment logs, maintenance schedules, SOPs, safety procedures). * Support broader lab operations as we grow: sourcing and commissioning new machines, handling firmware updates, and improving infrastructure. PAY AND BENEFITS * Competitive cash compensation, with final package based on location, experience, and the pay of team members in similar positions. * Stock option plan offered at the earliest stage of the company (included in the majority of full time offers). * Relocation bonus and coverage of moving expenses for relocation within 20 minutes of the company’s location. * Healthcare coverage (including family-friendly options), pension contributions, professional development support, and 25 days of PTO, in addition to public holidays. * Reimbursement of 50% of the public transport subscription fee. * A high-paced, multicultural (with 10 nationalities), and engineering-led environment.