Supervisory Team Lead, Ex Vivo

Role Summary

Supervisory Team Lead, Ex vivo leads the ex vivo biology team, manages laboratory operations, supervises personnel, and oversees the execution of cell and organoid-based research projects. This role requires deep technical expertise in cell culture and assay development, combined with strong leadership and project management skills. Location: Rockville, MD.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily lab activities, ensuring compliance with safety and internal quality standards.
• Oversee cell culture workflows including primary cells, cell lines and 3D models, and simple drug efficacy studies. Plan and schedule cell delivery for projects in a consistent and timely manner with in vivo team.
• Maintain and troubleshoot lab equipment and automated systems. Manage inventories and reagents supplies.
• Along with the Ops team, plan and schedule research projects, ensuring timely delivery of milestones.
• Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes to internal stakeholders. Serve as technical liaison with internal teams and external clients as needed.
• Contribute to SOP development and ensure documentation of deviations and adverse events (AE).
• Supervise and mentor lab staff, including onboarding, training, and performance evaluations.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture.
• Support career development and technical growth of team members.

Qualifications

• Required: Expertise in Cell Culture, 2-D and 3-D cell-based assays such as spheroids or cells in gel systems.
• Required: Experience with assay development and data analysis.
• Preferred: Experience working with cells from PDX or GEMM.
• Preferred: Experience with HTS assays and working with automated liquid handling systems.
• Preferred: Proficiency in relevant 2-D and 3-D assay endpoints including Cell Titer Glow, flow cytometry, high content imaging, molecular biology techniques, and multiplex analyses (Luminex).
• Required: Experience with people management.
• Required: Ability to work well under pressure in a cross-functional team.
• Required: Ability to work weekends or holidays as needed.

Education

• Preferred: PhD or MS in Life Science (e.g., Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology) and up to 5 years of work-related experience.
• Preferred: Minimum 5 years of experience in mammalian cell culture and assay development.
• Preferred: Experience working in or adjacent to an animal facility.
• Required: Prior experience in lab management and team supervision.
• Preferred: Familiarity with HTS platforms, PDX/GEMM models, and automated systems.
• Required: Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to sit and use hands to finger, handle and feel; able to pipette and perform lab-based experiments for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to use automation and robotics after appropriate training.
• Must be able to lift and move packages weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time using a computer in a typical office environment in a multi-level facility.
• Some activities require repetitive motion and reaching, pulling or pushing.
• Frequent exposure to fumes and chemical hazards.
• Exposure to blood, body fluids and tissue.