Head of UK Lab Operations

About This Opportunity

We are representing a confidential biotech organization that is opening a new automated laboratory facility in London in 2026. Our client operates at the intersection of AI and life sciences, providing high-throughput protein engineering capabilities to leading research institutions and biotechnology companies.

This is a foundational leadership role. You will be the first laboratory operations hire on the ground, responsible for taking the facility from an empty space to a fully operational, production-ready laboratory. You will own the entire operational build-out and then run day-to-day lab operations once the site goes live.

Responsibilities

• Lead the complete laboratory fit-out from shell to working facility, including benching, ventilation, power systems, cold storage, extraction, safety infrastructure, and coordination of contractors and timelines
• Coordinate delivery, installation, qualification, and commissioning of specialized scientific instrumentation including surface plasmon resonance equipment, biolayer interferometry systems, and liquid handling automation
• Build comprehensive lab operating infrastructure covering inventory management, procurement, shipping and cold chain logistics, maintenance schedules, service contracts, chemical handling, and waste management
• Establish and maintain all laboratory safety and compliance processes, including documentation, risk assessments, regulatory notifications, and required permits for UK operations
• Recruit, hire, and manage the laboratory operations team responsible for facility maintenance, equipment uptime, logistics, and daily laboratory functions
• Run ongoing laboratory operations once production begins, owning uptime, throughput, inventory control, preventive maintenance, safety performance, and continuous operational improvement

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience leading laboratory build-outs, site expansions, major equipment installations, or new laboratory launches—not just running an established facility
• Deep hands-on laboratory operations experience, ideally in high-throughput, automation-heavy biotech or life sciences environments
• Strong life sciences background with a degree and/or significant professional experience in biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or related disciplines
• Solid understanding of scientific workflows, contamination control, cold chain management, calibration protocols, and equipment reliability requirements
• Direct experience owning laboratory safety, permitting, and compliance for operational facilities, with ability to establish UK regulatory compliance from day one
• Strong vendor and contractor management skills, including experience coordinating with instrument manufacturers, service engineers, suppliers, and logistics providers
• Highly operational mindset with ability to build systems, anticipate problems, manage complex details, and maintain functionality as complexity scales
• Comfort working at startup pace where priorities shift rapidly and processes may need to be created on the fly
• Familiarity using AI tools to improve work efficiency and operational effectiveness
• Currently based in London or prepared to relocate—this is a fully on-site position

How We Work With You

Candidates apply through Get A Job.ai. Our recruiting team will conduct an initial screening to understand your background and fit for the role. We then submit qualified candidates to our client for consideration. Please do not attempt to contact the client organization directly, as all applications must go through our talent team to be considered.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed with qualified candidates during the screening process.

Equal Opportunity

Get A Job.ai is committed to inclusive hiring practices and equal employment opportunity. We evaluate candidates based on qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.