(Sr) Lab Manager – Help build our new molecular biology lab in Copenhagen
You are an experienced lab manager who enjoys creating structure, building reliable routines, and keeping a molecular biology lab running smoothly day-to-day. You’re well organized, pay attention to detail, and you take pride in meticulous, systematic work – whether you’re writing an SOP, managing inventory, liaising with clinical sites, or stepping into the lab when needed.
The Role:
For our new laboratory in Copenhagen, we are looking for a (Sr) Laboratory Manager to help build the operational backbone of our new lab and keep it running smoothly and effectively. This is a highly hands-on, high-ownership role with significant influence. You will play a key role in our small new team of three employees in Denmark, where you will help develop the standards, routines, and working practices.
Note: Lab management and operational excellence are the priority in this role, but benchwork is part of the job.
What you will do:
- Own daily lab operations: purchasing, receiving, inventory management, and ensuring the lab is always “ready to run”.
- Manage relationships with vendors, suppliers, building management, and other providers.
- Liaise with clinical sites to ensure smooth sample collection logistics from our clinical studies.
- Create and maintain protocols, SOPs, and documentation practices, and support building our Quality Management System (QMS).
- Step into practical lab work when needed, including handling and processing human samples (primarily saliva, buccal swabs, plasma, etc.).
- Participate in biomarker discovery and molecular diagnostic assay development projects.
- Document and report results and progress to colleagues and, where relevant, external partners/clients.
Must-have experience (most important criteria):
- Proven lab operations experience: you have experience from running the day-to-day lab with confidence – building structure, setting priorities, and keeping things moving (inventory, vendors, scheduling, coordination).
- Personal authority: you communicate clearly, set standards, and make sure ways of working are followed – also when it’s busy or ambiguous.
- Process & documentation mindset: strong at creating and maintaining protocols and documentation; quality thinking comes naturally.
- Hands-on molecular biology baseline: comfortable stepping into the lab when needed (e.g., sample handling and core workflows) with close attention to detail.
Nice-to-have experience:
- Experience implementing or working in a QMS (e.g., ISO/GLP/IVD-related environments).
- Experience processing human-derived samples (saliva, buccal swabs, plasma, urine).
- Exposure to RT-qPCR and/or NGS workflows (doesn’t need to be expert level).
- Experience as an early lab hire / setting up a lab from scratch (equipment, suppliers, routines).
We offer:
- A central role in establishing a new lab setup with real ownership, influence, and visibility.
- A chance to build scalable lab routines and infrastructure from the ground up.
- A varied role combining operational excellence with hands-on work when needed.
- A dynamic environment with strong opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Exposure to in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) product development and quality management.
Practical details:
- Location: Symbion Østerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Start date: As soon as possible / By agreement
- Employment: Full-time
How to apply:
Please upload your CV as soon as possible. We will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis.
About Marker Diagnostics:
Marker Diagnostics’ newly established development laboratory in Denmark is focused on biomarker discovery, and diagnostic assay, and product development. We identify RNA biomarkers from non-invasive samples such as buccal swabs, blood, and urine, collected in clinical studies in different areas, including oncology and neurology. We are a startup but we have funding to get off to a good start.
