Research & Education Facilities Manager (CL3)

Research & Education Facilities Manager (CL3)

• Contract: Permanent, fill time (35 hours per week)
• Location: Liverpool, on site
• Salary: £40,704 - £44,352 per annum

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is seeking to appoint a Research & Education Facilities Manager (CL3) to support the delivery of cutting-edge research in high-containment environments. This is a permanent position, offering a unique opportunity to lead safe operations in Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories within an internationally recognised research institute.

As the first point of contact for CL3 laboratory users, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management, operational readiness and regulatory compliance of LSTM’s specialist high-containment facilities. Working closely with Principal Investigators, the Health & Safety Office, Estates and Facilities, and research and technical teams, you will ensure that laboratories, equipment, procedures and training meet the required standards, enabling researchers to undertake their work safely and effectively.

You will provide specialist technical and operational leadership, ensuring that appropriate safety controls are in place, statutory maintenance and testing are completed, and facilities remain fit for purpose. The role includes line management of the Research & Education Facilities Supervisor (CL3), coordination of emergency response arrangements, and contribution to the wider management and continuous improvement of LSTM’s research facilities.

This is a key role in maintaining the integrity, resilience and compliance of LSTM’s high-containment research infrastructure, supporting excellent research while promoting a strong culture of safety, responsibility and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities will include

• Manage the safe and compliant operation of CL3 laboratories, research facilities and associated equipment, ensuring that facilities, working practices and documentation meet relevant UK legislation, regulatory requirements and LSTM policies.
• Oversee infrastructure maintenance and operational assurance, including routine inspections, airflow monitoring, alarm testing, HEPA filtration, fumigation and other required statutory maintenance, servicing and testing of laboratory equipment and containment systems.
• Maintain regulatory compliance and safety documentation, working with Principal Investigators and the Health & Safety Office to prepare, review and maintain risk assessments, standard operating procedures, pathogen inventories, licensing records and other documentation required by regulatory authorities.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to researchers and Principal Investigators on the safe planning and delivery of CL3 activities, relevant containment requirements, risk management and regulatory obligations.
• Manage facility access, infrastructure and maintenance arrangements, working with Estates and Facilities, laboratory teams and specialist contractors to maintain restricted access, coordinate servicing and maintenance, issue Permits to Work for non-routine work where required, and minimise disruption to research.
• Coordinate and deliver training and competency assessments for laboratory users, students, visitors, contractors and support staff, including CL3 inductions, practical training, new procedures, equipment use and emergency response arrangements. Maintain accurate training records and identify additional specialist training requirements.
• Act as the first point of contact for CL3 facility users, coordinating facility use, managing competing operational requirements, planning maintenance downtime and ensuring that users understand and comply with the requirements for working within high-containment environments.
• Oversee emergency preparedness and incident response arrangements for CL3 facilities, ensuring procedures are established, communicated, tested and maintained, and that appropriate arrangements are in place to respond to incidents.
• Provide leadership and line management for the Research & Education Facilities Supervisor (CL3), supporting effective service delivery, staff development, workload planning and continuous improvement across the facilities team.
• Support the wider Research & Education Facilities team, contributing to a coordinated approach to the management of LSTM’s Containment Level 2 laboratories and insectaries.
• Contribute to sustainable and resilient research facilities, developing and implementing practical measures to reduce environmental impact and embed sustainable laboratory practices while maintaining safety, regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.

About you

You will be an experienced laboratory or research facilities professional with demonstrable experience managing Containment Level 3 laboratories and a thorough understanding of the regulatory, technical and operational requirements associated with high-containment environments.

You will combine specialist technical knowledge with strong organisational, communication and leadership skills. You will be confident providing advice to researchers, coordinating complex maintenance and compliance programmes, managing competing priorities and ensuring that critical safety measures are implemented, tested and maintained.

A good understanding of how research activities and the organisms being handled influence laboratory operations, containment requirements and maintenance regimes is essential. You will be able to identify and manage risks, maintain accurate records, coordinate the work of others and ensure that actions are followed through to completion.

As a collaborative and proactive problem-solver, you’ll be able to build effective working relationships across academic, technical, professional services and senior management teams, and promote a positive culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Essential requirements

The successful candidate will have

• A BSc in a biological subject with microbiological experience, or equivalent relevant working experience
• A postgraduate or professional qualification or equivalent specialist knowledge gained through appropriate training and experience in managing CL3 facilities.
• A relevant CL3 management qualification, such as appropriate specialist HSE training, in accordance with the person specification.
• A health & safety qualification such as the NEBOSH National General Certificate, or a willingness to complete the NEBOSH qualification as a condition of successfully completing the probationary period, in accordance with the person specification.
• A minimum of two years’ experience managing Containment Level 3 laboratories.
• Practical experience working with pathogenic organisms at Containment Levels 2 and 3, with a sound understanding of the requirements for maintaining safe and compliant laboratory environments.
• Working knowledge of relevant regulatory and legislative frameworks, including ACDP guidance and categories, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, applicable requirements relating to Schedule 5 materials under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act, and relevant specified animal pathogen legislation.
• Knowledge and understanding of Containment Level 3 requirements, including the management of safety controls, laboratory infrastructure, statutory testing, inspection and maintenance.
• Experience managing a broad range of laboratory equipment and coordinating relevant maintenance, servicing and testing requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical and regulatory requirements to people with different levels of knowledge and responsibility, and to establish effective working relationships across academic and technical teams.
• The ability to manage challenging situations and resolve conflict professionally, using initiative and sound judgement to solve problems and improve working practices.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and a commitment to maintaining and developing specialist knowledge through relevant training.

Desirable experience

Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Working with genetically modified microorganisms, including specialist risk assessment.
• Receiving, shipping and transporting dangerous goods.
• Using databases and other digital systems to manage facility records, inventories, training and compliance information.
• Working within higher education research laboratories.
• Conducting laboratory fumigations.
• Managing the receipt of hazardous and non-hazardous biological materials from overseas.

(For a full list of essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the job description and person specification.)

Additional benefits of joining LSTM

• Access to support for your career growth through a variety of internal and external learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Platform offering a range of wellbeing initiatives and support, in addition to high-street discount offers
• 30 days annual leave, plus 8 UK bank holidays, in addition to 6 Christmas closure days
• Generous occupational pension schemes including USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme) and NHS pension schemes (subject to eligibility)
• Government backed “cycle to work” scheme
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
• A range of enhanced family friendly policies

Application Process: To apply for this position please follow the apply link and upload your CV, complete our application form and attach a covering letter outlining your interest in the post, and how your skills and experience align.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may sometimes close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role.

Please click here to learn important information about applying for a position at LSTM.