Research Operations Manager, Physical Sciences

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Summary:

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and the Rowland Institute at Harvard seek a Research Operations Manager for Physical Sciences to join a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary research community pushing the boundaries of experimental science. Reporting to the Executive Director of the Rowland Institute, the physical sciences Research Operations Manager will combine technical and experimental support, design and prototyping, with safety and research operations to enable cutting-edge experimental science across physics, engineering, and materials research.

Based full-time in the newly renovated 60 Oxford Street facility in Cambridge, MA, this individual will manage and continually improve shared physical sciences laboratories and fabrication spaces, including a cleanroom, chemistry room, and shared experimental lab spaces. The successful candidate will maintain and operate a diverse suite of advanced scientific instrumentation (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, and vacuum systems); operate and modify custom experimental apparatus; and partner with Rowland Fellows and their research groups to translate ambitious ideas into reliable experimental setups.

In addition to overseeing shared facilities, the Research Operations Manager will serve as the Institute’s primary Laboratory Safety Officer (LSO) for the physical sciences, working with Harvard Environmental Health & Safety to promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and best practices. This role is ideal for a resourceful, technically curious, and self-directed professional who enjoys building things, solving practical problems, partnering with researchers on equipment and processes, and playing a central role in a world-class experimental research environment.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Operations & Shared Facilities Management

• Assist Rowland Fellows in evaluating and purchasing new equipment; liaise with vendors to negotiate, procure, and install new equipment.
• Manage shared physical science fabrication and research equipment at the Rowland Institute, including inventory, service contracts, and usage scheduling.
• Maintain equipment through repairing and preventive maintenance, and coordination with vendors when necessary.
• Provide training to researchers on scientific instrument best practices, usage, and safety. Maintain SOPs for these instruments.
• Organize and maintain shared spaces (chemistry room, cleanroom, and general physical sciences labs).
• Assist Executive Director with laboratory space design and transitions, including commissioning and decommissioning of research spaces.

Assist in Design & Prototyping

• Assist in the design, planning and overseeing of instrumentation and equipment fabrication and modification projects in collaboration with Fellows and their researchers.
• Collaborate with researchers on the design of research tools by reviewing design feasibility, fabrication methods, and materials selection.

Experimental & Technical Support

• Serve as an accessible resource and potential collaborator for experimental design, equipment expertise, and troubleshooting design and implementation.

Safety & Compliance

• Act as the Rowland Institute’s physical sciences Laboratory Safety Officer (LSO).
• Liaise with Harvard EHS to ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Conduct safety training, maintain chemical inventories, and oversee hazardous waste removal of the physical scientist labs.
• Train on safest laboratory practices and maintain a safe space and environment for efficient scientific research to be conducted

Working Conditions:

Physical sciences laboratory spaces include conditions applicable to chemistry, clean room, laser, electrical and magnetic research.

Physical Requirements:

Continuous walking, standing, sitting and manual dexterity. Frequent bending, lifting, handling, carrying, pushing, pulling, squatting, climbing, and reaching. Lifting (up to approximately 50 pounds) and other physical exertion. Standing and/or sitting for extended periods

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• 3+ years of related experience in research operations, laboratory management, or fabrication.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of advanced scientific instrumentation (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, and vacuum systems).

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to train and mentor researchers on safe and effective use of equipment.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Master’s degree or more advanced in chemistry, engineering, physics, materials science, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM design
• Familiarity with laboratory safety concepts
• Beneficial to have experience with a range of machining, welding, and fabrication equipment (e.g., lathes, milling machines, TIG/MIG welding, 3D printers, laser cutter).
• May need to (infrequently) respond off-hours to equipment emergencies.

#LI-KO1

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.