Lab Support & Operations Coordinator

The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE) is looking for a Lab Support & Operations Coordinator to join its Research Operations team. This is a practical role within the support network available to all BIIE laboratory staff. Responsibilities include inventory and stock management, procurement, and the supply of materials to the labs.

The BIIE will be relocating to a purpose-built laboratory facility in Allschwil. As the building's main tenant, the BIIE will initially operate across two floors. Research at the BIIE spans a broad range of scientific disciplines, supported by internal core scientific facilities, flagship initiatives, and research faculty.

Reporting to the Lab Operations Manager, you will work both independently and as a close collaborator with lab teams. After relocation this role will take ownership of day-to-day operational tasks while supporting the BIIE science network.

This full time role includes responsibility for establishing the central stockroom as the BIIE moves into its new facility. There is also scope to develop competencies in laboratory import/export logistics, and in the handling of biological and hazardous materials.

Tasks

Shared Inventory & Procurement

• Manage shared procurement of general lab stock across multiple teams, coordinating with the Lab Managers to maintain appropriate stock levels and reduce duplication
• Maintain accurate inventory of common stock reagents, consumables, chemicals, and lab supplies using inventory management software
• Monitor centralised stock levels and place orders proactively to prevent shortfalls. This will in time become more reliant on automated replenishment systems.

Internal Deliveries & Building Logistics

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all incoming and outgoing laboratory deliveries within the building
• Receive, inspect, log, and promptly distribute shipments to the correct labs or teams
• Manage temperature-sensitive deliveries, including correct temporary storage of items requiring -80°C, -20°C, or 4°C conditions

Lab Operations Support

• Prepare simple buffers and solutions on request to support scientific teams
• Assist with routine lab maintenance: autoclave runs, waste disposal, glassware washing, and equipment cleaning
• Support biosafety compliance by ensuring proper labeling, storage, and disposal of biological and chemical materials
• Maintain organized and clean common lab spaces, including shared equipment areas
• Help onboard new lab members to operational procedures and supply systems

Specialist Shipments — Import & Export

• Handle specialist import and export shipments, including biological materials and controlled substances
• Support compliance with biosafety requirements and hazardous goods handling regulations
• Liaise with couriers, customs brokers, and lab teams as needed

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, or a related life science field or equivalent hands-on experience with Laborant Apprenticeship
• 1–3 years of experience working in a lab operations setting (academic, industry, or clinical)
• Familiarity with common lab consumables, reagents, and temperature sensitive storage requirements
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Comfortable with spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets); experience with inventory or procurement software a plus
• Ability to manually handle loads in line with SUVA guidelines (up to 25 kg) and to be on your feet for extended periods
• Business-level English is required; proficiency in German is a strong asset for day-to-day interactions with local vendors, couriers, and facilities teams

Preferred

• Experience with biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) lab environments
• Basic experience preparing laboratory buffers or solutions
• Knowledge of or interest in hazardous goods regulations or biological import/export compliance

Benefits

• A varied and meaningful role at the operational heart of cutting-edge immune engineering research.
• A collaborative, international team environment at a growing institute in Basel.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Modern state-of-the-art research facility in Allschwil
• Real potential for long-term engagement as BIIE continues to grow.

The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering is a newly founded non-profit research organization aiming to become a world leading research institute for the advanced study of immunological systems with a mission to develop translational solutions for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

The scientific foundation of the BIIE is based on the intersection of three interdisciplinary subdomains: (i) systems immunology, (ii) synthetic immunology and (iii) computational immunology. The BIIE will serve as a hub for multidisciplinary science, by uniting people with diverse expertise in immunology, biomedicine, bioengineering, systems and synthetic biology, computational biology, artificial intelligence and machine learning. As part of the mission of BIIE to make a lasting impact, it will dedicate significant efforts in training early-stage researchers in this unique multidisciplinary environment, thus enabling them to become future leaders in Immune Engineering.