Laboratory Manager, Material Discovery New London, UK

Science is at the heart of everything we do at Google DeepMind. From the beginning, we took inspiration from science to build better algorithms, and now, we want to use our toolkit to accelerate scientific discovery. By bringing together specialists with backgrounds in machine learning, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology and more, we\'re optimistic that we can build new methods that will push the boundaries of what is possible and help solve the biggest problems facing humanity.About Us Google DeepMind is establishing the Materials Discovery Laboratory , a state-of-the-art automated facility designed to bridge the gap between AI predictions and physical reality. This lab will serve as the engine of our materials research program, combining high-throughput synthesis and characterisation with advanced robotics to create a closed-loop discovery system.The Role We are seeking a hands-on Laboratory Manager with a strong scientific background to lead the operational rhythm of the Materials Discovery Lab. Unlike a traditional facilities manager role, this position requires a partner to the research team — a scientist by training who is also an exceptional organizational lead and can proactively remove operational bottlenecks. You will manage the complex technical and organizational logistics of a high-throughput automated materials discovery lab, ensuring that our lab staff have the resources, maintained equipment, and reliable infrastructure they need to leverage automation and scale their research.Key responsibilities: Team & Operational Leadership: Lead the laboratory\'s operational rhythm and the coordination of staff, managing the organizational logistics required to ensure the team has the capacity and resources to scale high-throughput discovery.Operational Continuity: Proactively manage daily workflow logistics, ensuring equipment availability and resolving blockers to maintain high-throughput research cycles.Equipment Lifecycle Management: Own the maintenance schedule for a diverse fleet of instruments from high-temperature furnaces and vacuum deposition systems to advanced characterisation equipment, managing vendor relationships and service contracts to minimize downtime.Resource & Inventory Strategy: Proactively manage the supply chain for critical research consumables, ensuring that experimental campaigns are supported by robust inventory levels.Lab Organisation: Implement and maintain high standards of laboratory organization, space planning, and equipment allocation to support a clean, efficient, and automated working environment.Safety & Compliance: Oversee the lab\'s safety protocols and compliance (e.g., COSHH), fostering a safety-first culture that enables efficient and compliant research.About You In order to set you up for success as a Laboratory Manager at Google DeepMind, we look for the following skills and experience:Research Background: Significant experience working in a research laboratory, with a clear understanding of experimental workflows and research needs. (PhD/MSc in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or equivalent practical experience).Lab Management Experience: Proven track record of setting up and managing operations in a complex scientific facility, ideally involving automated equipment or high-throughput workflows.Technical Aptitude: Ability to troubleshoot equipment issues and effectively communicate technical problems to specialist engineers and vendors.Organisational Excellence: Strong logistical skills with the ability to manage multiple service contracts, inventory streams, and operational schedules simultaneously.Proactive Problem Solver: A proactive mindset – you anticipate problems before they impact the science and take ownership of the lab\'s operational success.In addition, the following would be an advantage:Experience in setting up new laboratory facilities or managing a lab relocation (\"greenfield\" projects).Familiarity with laboratory information management systems and digital asset management tools.Basic programming skills (e.g., Python) or experience working closely with software/automation engineers to streamline operations.Experience negotiating complex service contracts and procurement deals with major scientific equipment vendors.At Google DeepMind, we value diversity of experience, knowledge, backgrounds and perspectives and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary: GBP 36000 - 60000 per year
Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

No other job posts for this day.

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...