eDNA Laboratory & Operations Manager

Role summary

A hands-on eDNA scientist to act as technical lead for our eDNA and veterinary genetics services and run the laboratory day to day, managing a small team.

• Location: Eden Business Park, Braddan, Isle of Man (laboratory-based)
• Reports to: Director & Chief Scientist
• Direct reports: Laboratory Technician; Client Services & Account Manager
• Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
• Salary: c.£45,000 dependent on skills and experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Start date: Early 2027

About Taxa Genomics

Taxa Genomics is a molecular biology laboratory providing environmental DNA (eDNA) testing and veterinary genetic testing. Our eDNA services include targeted qPCR assays and metabarcoding, supported by in-house sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines, and we serve ecological consultancies and conservation organisations primarily in the UK. Our veterinary genetics testing sits under another brand name and provides inherited disorder testing to companion animal breeders in the UK.

We are a small team, so this role has real scope: you will shape how our eDNA services grow and how the laboratory runs.

Purpose of the role

You will be the technical authority for eDNA testing and the day-to-day manager of our veterinary genetics and eDNA laboratory. You will make sure results are right, turnaround commitments are met and the team is well led. You will also work with the team to grow eDNA work with UK consultancies, including great crested newt (GCN) testing.

Key responsibilities

eDNA technical lead

• Technically review and authorise eDNA results and reports (qPCR and metabarcoding) before release to clients.
• Advise clients on survey design, sampling, detection limits and interpretation of results, including negative and inconclusive outcomes.
• Work in collaboration with potential clients to develop projects, adequately cost up, write grant applications and secure funding — with subsequent project management, report writing and scientific publications.
• Provide technical support to the account manager in pre-sales discussions, proposals and quotations, for both eDNA testing and species identification testing.
• Lead the laboratory's participation in proficiency testing and compliance with Natural England requirements for GCN eDNA testing.
• Develop and validate new eDNA assays and services in line with R&D priorities set by the Chief Scientist.
• Provide advanced technical expertise, with responsibility for selecting and validating the appropriate DNA extraction method, assay selection and results interpretation for bespoke testing requests from clients.
• Work hands-on in the laboratory, particularly during peak survey season or to cover leave.

Laboratory and operations management

• Plan laboratory workload and capacity so that both veterinary and eDNA turnaround commitments are met.
• Manage consumables, stock and purchasing within agreed delegated spending limits.
• Handle escalated customer service issues and formal complaints for our veterinary genetics service and eDNA clients.
• Provide monthly operational reporting to the Director, including throughput, turnaround, spend against budget and sales pipeline.

People management

• Line manage the Laboratory Technician and the Client Services & Account Manager: objectives, one-to-ones, appraisals and development.
• Train and supervise laboratory staff, including in qPCR and routine results processing, and ensure cover arrangements for laboratory work and results sign-off.

Quality

• Own the day-to-day operation of the quality management system, supported by administrative QMS support within the team.
• Maintain SOPs, method validation records, non-conformance and corrective action processes, and internal audits.
• Ensure health and safety and good laboratory practice across all work.

Person specification

Essential

• Qualifications: PhD in molecular ecology, molecular diagnostics, or similar.
• Technical expertise: substantial hands-on experience of eDNA laboratory work (qPCR and/or metabarcoding) and DNA barcoding in a commercial or research setting.
• Management: experience of line managing or supervising staff.
• Quality: working within a quality management system (e.g. ISO/IEC 17025 or equivalent).
• Client work: explaining technical results clearly to non-specialists.
• Data: comfortable with sequencing data and results software.
• Personal: organised, decisive, able to work independently with limited day-to-day director input.

Desirable

• Professional memberships (e.g. CIEEM, RSB).
• Assay design and validation; broad practical experience of DNA extraction techniques across various matrices.
• Experience of developing research projects, costing appropriately, successfully applying for grants, and report writing.
• Technical experience of robotic automation systems (e.g. Opentrons, Hamilton, or Tecan)
• An appropriate scientific publication record for the level of experience.
• Experience of GCN eDNA testing to Natural England requirements, and of proficiency testing.
• Budget or purchasing responsibility.
• Leading internal audits or accreditation work.
• Client-facing consultancy or technical pre-sales experience.
• An interest in helping grow a small business.

Terms

• Benefits: 25 days annual leave per year, in addition to the 10 Isle of Man public holidays.
• Relocation: support is available for candidates moving to the Isle of Man. Relocation will be required; remote work is not possible.
• Work permits: applicants who are not Isle of Man Workers need a work permit, which the company will apply for on the successful candidate's behalf. Candidates for this role must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

How to apply

To apply, send a CV, publication list and a covering letter explaining how you meet the essential criteria to careers [at] taxagenomics [dot] com by 5pm on Friday 13 November 2026.

Informal enquiries are welcome to Dr Rachel Glover, rachel.glover [at] taxagenomics [dot] com .

Taxa Genomics is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to building an inclusive team.