Research Operations Lead (Biology)

TL;DR

Research Operations Lead (Biology): Building and scaling the operational foundation for a world-class biology research team with an accent on procurement, lab safety, and equipment lifecycle management. Focus on creating robust systems for inventory, vendor relations, and facility coordination to enable seamless scientific discovery at the intersection of AI and biology.

Location: Must be based in San Francisco, CA (Hybrid: at least 25% in-office)

Salary: $150,000 - $200,000 USD

Company

Anthropic is an AI safety and research company dedicated to building reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems.

What you will do

• Own end-to-end lab operations including procurement, inventory, equipment scheduling, and space organization.
• Develop and scale operational systems such as SOPs, maintenance schedules, and onboarding workflows.
• Manage facilities, including coordinating buildouts, equipment installs, and acting as the primary interface with building management.
• Oversee the operating budget, track spend, and manage capital equipment purchasing processes.
• Manage vendor and supplier relationships, including contract negotiations and service contract management.
• Partner with Finance and IT teams to ensure operational efficiency and compliance.

Requirements

• Must be based in or able to work from the San Francisco office (Hybrid policy).
• Proven experience managing day-to-day operations of a life sciences lab.
• Hands-on experience with procurement, vendor management, and contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to track and manage operating budgets and capital requests.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with shifting priorities.

Nice to have

• Lab management experience in a biotech, pharma, or life-sciences startup.
• Degree in life sciences with prior bench research experience.
• People-management experience in operations or facilities.
• Familiarity with liquid-handling platforms and inventory management systems.
• Experience with regulated shipping of biological materials.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Flexible working hours and generous vacation policy.
• Supportive environment with optional equity donation matching.
• Collaborative office space designed for team interaction.
• Visa sponsorship support available for qualified candidates.