Job Summary

A*STAR’s Integrated Central Operations & Research Enablers (iCORE) is the central backbone for A*STAR’s biomedical research infrastructure, technology platforms and operational support. It provides an integrated ecosystem that enables scientific excellence through access to advanced technology platforms, expert-supported scientific services and seamless centralised laboratory operations. By delivering reliable, safe and efficient support at scale, iCORE enables researchers to focus on science while core operational functions are managed professionally and consistently.

About the Job

As part of iCORE's expanding role at the Geneo campus, a Central Laboratory Operations Team is being established to deliver coordinated, end-to-end support for shared laboratory environments. The team will work with researchers, Research Institute operations teams, iCORE scientific platforms, Logistics Operations, Glassware Operations and A*STAR safety and facilities teams to keep laboratories safe, compliant, efficient and research ready.

The Building Lead is accountable for coordinating Central Laboratory Operations across an assigned building. The role translates campus-level standards into reliable building-level delivery, leads and develops the floor-based team, balances priorities across research areas, and provides clear operational oversight and escalation. The Building Lead remains visible and hands-on while taking responsibility for service performance, stakeholder coordination, risk management, readiness and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Building Leadership and Service Delivery

• Lead, coordinate and support the building Ops team, setting clear priorities and ensuring consistent coverage and responsive floor-level operations across the assigned building.
• Plan and coordinate workface planning to support operational requirements, ensure adequate duty and contingency coverage, monitor completion of scheduled activities and provide coaching, technical guidance and practical support to build team capability.
• Establish and oversee an effective operating framework for floor operations, requests, escalations, handovers and cross-building support, maintaining operational resilience, service continuity and readiness during leave periods, incidents or periods of increased demand.
• Act as the building-level escalation point for laboratory operational issues, coordinating timely containment, directing response and recovery actions and ensuring timely communication with stakeholders.
• Build team capability through structured onboarding, training plans, competency development and knowledge sharing, including unfamiliar research environments.

Stakeholder and Service Coordination

• Serve as the principal Central Laboratory Operations interface for laboratory users, Research Institute operations teams, iCORE platforms and relevant corporate support teams within the building.
• Coordinate closely with other building leads, iCORE Logistics Operations, Glassware Operations, Facilities Management, safety, infrastructure, procurement and service providers to deliver integrated support, align operational priorities and resolve cross-functional issues.
• Engage laboratory stakeholders to understand service needs, clarify operating boundaries and communicate service changes, planned works, outages and recovery actions.
• Support building and campus mobilisation, commissioning, move-in and operational readiness activities for Geneo.

Operational Control, Equipment and Resources

• Develop and support building-level strategies for shared laboratory infrastructure, ensuring assets, services and resources remain aligned with current and future research needs.
• Support space, capacity and utilisation planning for shared laboratory environments, balancing user requirements, operational efficiency and long-term growth.
• Establish lifecycle management frameworks and retirement strategies of shared equipment and infrastructure, to ensure effective utilisation of resources.
• Drive the optimisation of shared assets, services and support models through utilisation analysis, demand forecasting and stakeholder engagement to maximise value and service outcomes.
• Provide building-level oversight to support the planning of critical laboratory resources and services, including cryogenic systems, specialty gases, waste management, central glassware, PPE and other shared operational capabilities, ensuring resilience and continuity of operations.
• Champion building-wide initiatives to improve operational efficiency, sustainability, service standards and cost effectiveness across shared laboratory infrastructure and support services.

Safety, Compliance and Business Continuity

• Partner with health and safety colleagues and other accountable functions to implement laboratory safety programmes, inspections, audits, emergency arrangements and corrective actions across the building.
• Ensure the team follows approved procedures for biohazardous, chemical and general waste, cryogenic operations, spill response and other higher-risk activities.
• Maintain building-level operational readiness, risk registers, escalation pathways and continuity plans for critical laboratory services.
• Lead or support incident reviews, identify root causes within the operational scope and ensure agreed preventive and corrective actions are completed.
• Ensure operational records, SOPs, checklists, training evidence and service documentation are current, controlled and audit ready.

Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Define and monitor practical service measures, trends and recurring issues, providing concise updates and recommendations to the Central Lab Ops Lead.
• Identify and implement workflow improvements, standardisation and digital solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, safety and user experience.
• Contribute to campus-wide operating standards, SOPs, procurement strategies, business planning and service development for Central Laboratory Operations.
• Promote a collaborative, service-oriented culture and share lessons and resources across building teams.

About You

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or diploma in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Laboratory Technology, Engineering, Facilities or Operations Management, or a related discipline, supported by substantial relevant experience.
• Typically at least 5 years of relevant experience in laboratory operations, research support, core facilities, facilities operations or a biomedical R&D environment, including experience coordinating people, services or workstreams.
• Demonstrated experience with several of the following: shared laboratories, equipment lifecycle coordination, cryogenic or cold-storage operations, inventory and procurement, safety and compliance, waste services, audits, business continuity or laboratory moves.
• Experience leading a small operational team, supervising staff or coordinating multidisciplinary service delivery is strongly preferred.

Leadership, Skills and Attributes

• Visible, practical and service-oriented leader who can set direction while remaining willing to support operational delivery when required.
• Sound judgement and calm problem solving, with the ability to assess risk, prioritise competing demands and escalate appropriately.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with disciplined follow-through and confidence using records, metrics and digital tools to manage performance.
• Clear and credible communicator who can build constructive relationships with researchers, operational teams, vendors and senior stakeholders.
• Able to coach others, build capability and create a collaborative, accountable and safety-focused team culture.
• Comfortable working in an evolving environment, shaping new processes and operating across organisational boundaries.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to help shape a new, centralised laboratory operations model at Geneo and contribute directly to research readiness across the campus.
• Structured training and exposure across laboratory environments, including safety, equipment, operational systems, SOP development and digital workflow improvement.
• A clear career pathway within Central Laboratory Operations and the wider iCORE organisation, with opportunities to broaden technical, operational and leadership capabilities.