Supervisory Team Lead, Ex Vivo

Role Summary

Location: Rockville, MD. The Supervisory Team Lead, Ex vivo is responsible for leading the ex vivo biology team, managing and performing laboratory operations, supervising personnel, and overseeing the execution of cell and organoids-based research projects. This role requires deep technical expertise in cell culture and assay development, combined with strong leadership, lab and project management skills.

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

• Expertise in Cell Culture, 2-D and 3-D cell-based assays such as spheroids or cells in gel systems is required.
• Experience with assay development and data analysis is required.
• Experience working with cells from PDX or GEMM is preferred.
• Experience with HTS assays and working with automated liquid handling systems is 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) is preferred.
• Experience with people management is required.
• Ability to work well under pressure in a cross-functional team.
• Ability to work weekends or holidays as needed.

Education

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

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to sit and use hands to finger, handle and feel. Must be able to pipette and perform lab-based experiments for prolonged periods as required.
• Must be able to comfortable use automation and robotics after appropriate training has been provided.
• 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.
• In carrying out the duties of the job there will be frequent exposure to fumes and chemical hazards.
• Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.