We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Head of Laboratory to lead and manage Natural State\u2019s multidisciplinary environmental analysis laboratory. Our laboratory focuses on spectroscopy for carbon and vegetation analysis, invertebrate identification and collection, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, and soil biodiversity studies. A core responsibility of the Head of Laboratory will be to oversee the transition of the lab from research-focused operations to a commercial service provider, delivering high-quality, cost-effective, and timely analytical services to internal teams and external partners.<\/p>\n
The lab plays a critical role in advancing Natural State\u2019s mission to generate high-resolution ecosystem insights in support of global restoration.<\/p>\n
This role requires daily on-site presence with strong leadership and close collaboration with the other teams in the Impact Monitoring department as well as external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be both technically proficient and a capable team builder, ready to grow lab capabilities, mentor and develop the lab team, ensure operational excellence, and deliver measurable value through scientific and commercial impact.<\/p>\n
Responsibilities:<\/p>\n
Laboratory Operations & Quality Management<\/p>\n
\tManage daily operations of the lab, ensuring optimal workflow, safety, and compliance
\n\twith quality standards (e.g., ISO\/GLP where applicable).
\n\tCo-develop and implement a strategy for the lab
\n\tOversee and implement analytical methodologies in spectroscopy, eDNA, invertebrate, and
\n\tsoil biodiversity analysis.
\n\tEnsure rigorous quality control and assurance procedures across all lab activities.
\n\tDevelop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), lab protocols, and health & safety documentation.
\n\tOversee data management standards and digital pipelines to ensure traceability, reproducibility, and integration with broader analytical frameworks\u2022 Lead the development of a comprehensive QA\/QC framework covering sample handling, analysis, equipment calibration, and reporting.<\/p>\n
Commercialisation & Service Provision<\/p>\n
\tCo-develop and implement the lab\u2019s commercialisation strategy, establishing fee-for- service models for internal departments and external partners.
\n\tDefine service pricing structures, forecast revenue, and manage lab P&L in alignment with organizational goals.
\n\tBuild and manage relationships with external clients and partners, ensuring delivery of timely, accurate, and cost-effective analytical results.
\n\tMonitor and report on lab performance metrics (e.g., turnaround times, cost per sample, client satisfaction).
\n\tExplore and develop partnerships with other service providers to compliment the NS lab\u2019s capabilities, leveraging advances in AI and machine learning to optimise analysis and outputs.<\/p>\n
Capacity Building & Team Leadership<\/p>\n
\tSupervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of lab technicians, analysts, students, and interns.
\n\tIdentify skills gaps and provide professional development opportunities to build a high-performing lab team.
\n\tDevelop and deliver regular training sessions on lab conduct and health and safety standards, ensuring a culture of scientific integrity within the lab.
\n\tLead recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation processes for lab personnel.<\/p>\n
Research & Development Support<\/p>\n
\tCollaborate with internal research teams and the Impact Monitoring department to design and support field sampling campaigns and analytical studies.
\n\tContribute to the development and validation of new analytical techniques and tools.
\n\tActively contribute to the development of the strategic framework for scaling lab operations.<\/p>\n
Resource & Infrastructure Management<\/p>\n
\tManage lab inventory, procurement, and maintenance of analytical instruments (e.g., spectrometers, sequencing equipment, microscopes).
\n\tOversee the calibration, troubleshooting, and upgrading of lab equipment.<\/p>\n
Requirements:<\/p>\n
\tMSc or PhD in Environmental Science, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Soil Science, or a related discipline.
\n\tAt least 5 years of experience in laboratory management or senior lab role, preferably in an environmental or ecological context.
\n\tProven experience in at least one of the following: spectroscopy, molecular biology\/genetics or soil biodiversity.
\n\tDemonstrated ability to manage laboratory budgets, resources, and teams.
\n\tExperience delivering scientific services on a commercial basis or within contract research environments.
\n\tFamiliarity with regulatory frameworks and standards for lab accreditation.
\n\tStrong project management skills and client communication experience.
\n\tExperience mentoring junior staff and students<\/p>\n
Apply Through:<\/p>\n
airtable.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_promoted":"","_job_location":"","_application":"http:\/\/airtable.com","_company_name":"Natural State","_company_website":"http:\/\/N%20\/%20A","_company_tagline":"Through large-scale restoration and rewilding, NATURAL STATE secures biodiversity, sequesters and stores carbon, and helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our goal at the NATURAL STATE research centre is to develop technology and financial systems that will catalyse large-scale restor... read moreation globally as well as help train future leaders for this sector. In the short term we are revolutionising impact monitoring for carbon, biodiversity and human-wellbeing, so that the success or failure of restoration efforts can be clearly defined. We are using this technology to help test a broad range of innovative financing mechanism that aim to support large-scale restoration, sequester carbon, and provide benefits to local communities.","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_filled":0,"_featured":0,"_remote_position":0,"_job_salary":"","_job_salary_currency":"","_job_salary_unit":""},"job_listing_region":[692],"job-categories":[699,702,747,752],"job-types":[687],"class_list":{"0":"post-94170","1":"job_listing","2":"type-job_listing","3":"status-publish","4":"hentry","5":"job_listing_region-nairobi","7":"job-type-full-time"},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings\/94170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_region?post=94170"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-categories?post=94170"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-types?post=94170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}