Laboratory Manager

Mission

The Laboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements is seeking a Laboratory Manager to oversee and implement data management and regulatory compliance and support the laboratory’s experimental research. The role involves laboratory organisation, equipment maintenance, documentation management, user support and coordination of shared experimental infrastructure.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Laboratory compliance: help establish and maintain good laboratory practices, user routines, documentation standards, and internal procedures. Maintain the safety, organization and cleanliness of laboratories and storage spaces in compliance with laboratory rules and in coordination with group members. Implement a booking system for lab equipment usage by spin-offs. Organise new setups, lab spaces and renovations (Advanced Science Building). Oversee safety audits and lab safety training for internal and external users.
• Data management and team support: control of laboratory notebooks (TEAMS), management of internal IT simulation software for the laboratory (COMSOL, Lumerical, Ansys and Sonnet) and assist in monitoring and establishing proper documentation of scientific and technical results (via e.g. GIT, Lab/task management software). Initiate weekly laboratory organization meetings with sub-teams. Support the onboarding and training of new students, postdocs, and technical staff in laboratory routines.
• Cleanroom support (fabrication, packaging, and sample flow coordination): liaise with the R&D team and senior processing engineer to ensure the continuity of fabrication-related activities, including nanofabrication tasks, documentation of established processes and techniques, and equipment requests (platform tools), as well as installation and testing. Contribute to maintaining and improving routines for photonic chip packaging, testing, and experimental integration.
• Equipment: assist with purchase orders of large-scale equipment, including commissioning, installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs and upgrades.
• Records management: maintain an internal database of stock/inventory of materials and equipment, as well as a central inventory system.
• Continuous monitoring and innovation management: maintain an orderly environment in the labs (ASANA) and take the lead in adopting the latest technology and software to efficiently document knowledge, samples and research management.

Profile

For this position, we are looking for solution-oriented candidates with the following profile:

• Master’s degree or PhD in EE, Physics or Computer Science
• Attention to detail and passion for organization and efficiency
• Management experience in a similar role
• Familiarity with software and computer programming (Python, GIT, etc.) strongly preferred
• Basic cleanroom experience preferable
• Excellent technical problem-solving skills
• Open-mindedness, communication skills and critical thinking
• Willingness to learn
• Working proficiency in English and French (written/spoken)

We offer

• Excellent international working environment with access to world-class facilities
• A young, dynamic, flexible and highly motivated research group
• EPFL is located in the French speaking part of Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva, with a university campus offering a rich cultural environment

Information

Contract Start Date : 01.08.2026

Activity Rate : 50 - 70%

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: 1 year, renewable

Reference: 2311

Contact

For complementary information, please contact Prof. Tobias Kippenberg per e-mail: