Description
The Laboratory Manager will lead laboratory operations at the aquaculture facility, providing reliable water-quality, microbiology and pathology testing to support fish health, hatchery performance, research and biosecurity.
The role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely laboratory results, effective quality controls, safe laboratory practices, well-maintained equipment, proper sample management and actionable reporting to the Centre Lead.
Responsibilities
Laboratory Operations & Management:
Plan, organise and supervise daily laboratory activities in line with operational priorities.
Establish testing schedules, sample flows and turnaround-time standards.
Maintain laboratory readiness, cleanliness, safety and effective use of laboratory space.
Develop, implement and maintain SOPs for sampling, testing, reporting and equipment use.
Prepare routine laboratory performance reports for the Centre Lead.
Water-Quality Monitoring:
Develop and implement water-quality sampling and monitoring programmes for broodstock, hatchery and research systems.
Coordinate testing and interpretation of relevant physical and chemical water-quality parameters.
Monitor results for adverse trends and promptly communicate potential risks to relevant operational teams.
Recommend corrective actions and follow up to verify their effectiveness.
Maintain complete and traceable records of sampling locations, methods, results and follow-up actions.
Microbiology:
Manage microbiological sampling and testing of water, fish, equipment and facility environments, as applicable.
Ensure proper aseptic sampling, culture preparation, incubation, organism screening and safe disposal practices.
Monitor microbial trends and escalate results that may indicate contamination or disease risks.
Maintain traceable records of samples, media, reagents, controls and test results.
Collaborate with veterinary and production teams during microbiological investigations.
Pathology & Diagnostic Support:
Support pathology investigations through appropriate sample collection, preservation, microscopy and laboratory examination.
Coordinate diagnostic testing for suspected disease, unexplained mortality and production underperformance.
Ensure proper sample identification, chain of custody, storage and submission to external laboratories where required.
Document laboratory findings clearly and provide timely results to the Veterinarian and Centre Lead.
Maintain organised and traceable pathology specimens, images and reports.
Biosecurity:
Translate facility biosecurity requirements into practical laboratory and sampling controls.
Implement appropriate access, hygiene, disinfection, sample-handling and waste-management procedures.
Prevent cross-contamination between samples, work areas, equipment and production units.
Monitor compliance with laboratory biosecurity protocols and address identified gaps.
Support biosecurity audits, outbreak investigations and corrective-action programmes.
Quality Assurance & Data Integrity:
Implement internal quality-control checks to ensure the reliability of laboratory results.
Maintain controlled test methods, worksheets, logs, registers and electronic records.
Investigate unusual, inconsistent or out-of-specification results before release.
Ensure laboratory data are accurate, complete, traceable and securely maintained.
Coordinate proficiency testing or external verification where appropriate.
Equipment, Reagents & Inventory:
Maintain an accurate inventory of laboratory equipment, consumables, media, reagents and reference materials.
Ensure equipment is serviced, calibrated and verified according to approved schedules.
Manage reagent preparation, labelling, storage, expiry monitoring and safe disposal.
Identify and communicate requirements for equipment repair, replacement and replenishment in a timely manner.
Maintain equipment history, calibration and maintenance records.
Team Leadership, Safety & Collaboration:
Supervise, coach and develop laboratory technicians and assistants.
Train relevant employees on sampling, sample submission, hygiene and basic laboratory requirements.
Enforce laboratory safety, chemical handling, PPE and incident-reporting procedures.
Collaborate closely with the Centre Lead, Veterinarian, broodstock, hatchery and research teams.
Drive continuous improvement in testing methods, turnaround time, reporting and laboratory efficiency.
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor''s Degree in Microbiology, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Biological Sciences, Laboratory Science, Biochemistry or a related discipline.
Postgraduate qualification in Aquatic Animal Health, Microbiology, Pathology, Water Quality or a related field is an advantage.
Minimum of 6 years'' experience managing or supervising a laboratory within aquaculture, animal health, food, environmental or biological testing.
Practical experience in water-quality analysis, microbiology, microscopy, sample management and laboratory quality control.
Experience supporting fish-health diagnostics, pathology or hatchery operations is strongly preferred.