Research laboratories need managers to oversee all of their most important work such as handling safety issues, maintaining machines, establishing policy, and collaborating with other laboratories or research groups. Setting up research activities, scheduling meetings, and supervising other team members are other important laboratory management duties. The position may also involve managing inventories, training seminars, and research protocols as well as describing the research the laboratories have conducted both in articles and in person to the general public.
Laboratory managers are sometimes known as production managers and must have strong skills in leadership, the ability to think on their feet and to work under tight deadlines. Most people in these positions are promoted from lower level technical jobs in laboratories. A university degree is the minimum educational requirement in this profession, with higher level masters and PhD degrees even more highly recommended. Salaries for laboratory managers begin at £24,500, peak at £37,500, and average at just over £30,300.