Abdera Therapeutics

Lab Operations Associate Director

South San Francisco, CA
Full Time
Senior Manager/Supervisor
Who we are
Abdera Therapeutics Inc. is a precision oncology company developing next-generation targeted radiation therapies- one of the most cutting-edge and highly promising areas of drug development. The company is built on a proprietary modular technology platform optimized for the delivery of radioisotopes to selectively destroy tumor cells while sparing healthy cells. Abdera is using this platform to enable the rapid development of a broad range of safe and efficacious therapies serving cancer patients with limited treatment options.

Abdera Therapeutics is growing rapidly and seeking key new team members who thrive at the cutting-edge of innovation. Come join us and be a part of the ground-breaking team set to unlock the power of targeted radiotherapy!

What we look for
At Abdera Therapeutics, we are looking for curious and committed individuals who are ready for the opportunity to transform the way people living with cancer can be treated. We are devoted to advancing novel treatment options that offer new hope to families facing devastating diagnoses. We are in search of team members who work collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues, respectfully engaging one another while collectively and inclusively tackling any challenges we may face. We are building an exciting and fast paced company passionate about discovering and developing tomorrow’s most innovative cancer therapies.

Abdera is seeking a Lab Operations Associate Director who will lead the setup of Abdera’s new lab and facility in South San Francisco and oversee our Vancouver facilities.  This will include the onsite management and maintenance of the facility.

Salary range 145k – 170k
 
Principal Responsibilities               
  • Lead setup of Abdera’s new lab and vivarium facility in SSF
  • Onsite management of the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the facility to ensure a safe and efficient workplace
  • Develop, implement and manage global and day-to-day lab operational standards, policies, and process improvements, oversee risk identification and mitigation support for operational issues, lead change management activities
  • Work in close collaboration with the Vivarium Team, CMC, Preclinical Pharmacology, R&D, Procurement, IT, and Finance stakeholders to identify and address operational and infrastructure bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and logistical or administrative issues in the lab
  • Secure, maintain, and track permits, ensure facility compliance with applicable federal, state and local safety regulations, manage laboratory inspections for regulatory bodies, schedule events, develop checklists, and address deficiencies
  • Act as BSO, collaborate with external safety consultants to develop, implement and continuously improve Abdera’s safety programs, manuals, and lab safety training standards as needed, oversee incident reporting and risk assessments, ensure compliance with relevant legislation
  • Serve as a lab safety officer, monitor laboratory environment to ensure compliance according to laboratory safety policies and regulations. Attend lab safety committee meetings and perform routine lab safety monitoring as required
  • Negotiate and manage third party and service contracts for lab and facility operations and equipment, establish and maintain relationships with vendors, sales representatives and service providers
  • Manage equipment inventory and asset management, maintain processes for equipment maintenance, including preventative maintenance, calibration, certification, upgrades, and repair
  • Assist with planning and establishing annual strategic operational plans, budgeting for the facility operations portfolio (including facility and lab services, and lab equipment and equipment maintenance) and manage expenditures throughout the year
  • Report on the laboratory operational effectiveness, develop strategies and plan long- and short-term lab capabilities
  • Coordinate annual lab safety trainings and onboarding of new lab members, maintain training records
  • Manage common inventory for consumables and reagents, supply procurement, and perform shipping and receiving activities for the lab
  • Oversee maintenance and resupply of lab gases, including CO2 and liquid nitrogen
  • Provide emergency response support (24 hours) for facility and equipment alarms
  • Manage facilities services for Abdera’s SFF facility (vivarium, labs, and office)
  • Other related duties as assigned.




 
Qualifications, Education & Experience
  • Minimum BSc, preferably MSc with emphasis in life sciences, engineering field, or pharmaceutical science
  • 10 or more years of relevant experience in a similar role within the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry
  • 3+ years of people leadership and lab management experience
  • Strong working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local EH&S guidelines, laboratory regulatory standards, compliance requirements, regulations, codes and standards applicable to non-GMP environments
  • Extensive experience with safety inspections, audits, and lab waste management
  • Experience leading a laboratory safety committee and acting as BSO in a BSL2 laboratory in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry
  • Experience working in a radiopharmaceutical facility and small animal facility highly preferred
  • Experience with Occupational First Aid, accident prevention and investigation procedures
  • Experience purchasing equipment, supplies, and consumables within a laboratory environment required, familiarity with CAPEX and budget accountability 
  • Knowledge of general laboratory equipment and ability to troubleshoot problems
  • Experience in the development of laboratory SOPs, risk management strategies, and lab user training content 
  • Experience with lab design, lab build outs and infrastructure upgrades preferred
Skills and Abilities
  • Ability and drive to creatively solve practical problems
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and strong organizational and time management skills
  • Valuable leadership skills used to strategize, forecast, identify gaps and opportunities
  • Ability to plan, schedule and manage budgets
  • Able to accommodate, implement, manage change in a fast-paced setting to support team goals, experience with project management and change management
  • Able to think critically, troubleshoot, take initiative and follow through on projects
  • Proven ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and dealing with unfamiliar situations
  • Strong sense of planning and prioritization, and the ability to work with all levels of management
  • Detail oriented, exceptional documentation practices, technical writing and oral communication skills, ability to identify, communicate and recommend solutions to complex problems
At Abdera, we recognize the importance of attracting and retaining the best talent, and we're committed to offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits tailored to your needs.

Here’s what you can expect when you join our team in the U.S.:
  • Competitive Base Pay: Our expected base pay range for this position is $145k – 170k (USD), plus performance-based bonuses.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance to ensure your well-being, as well as a 401k plan to help secure your financial future.
  • Personalized Pay: Your individual pay will be determined by your job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training, ensuring you receive fair and competitive compensation.
  • Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick time, because we believe that balance is key to long-term success and happiness.
  • At Abdera, we value our employees and strive to create an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally. Join us and be part of a company that cares about your growth and well-being.

Abdera is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At Abdera, we prohibit harassment of any kind and any form of discrimination including but not limited to discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This is applicable to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship.
 


 
 
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