Head of Laboratory at Natural State

Through large-scale restoration and rewilding, NATURAL STATE secures biodiversity, sequesters and stores carbon, and helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our goal at the NATURAL STATE research centre is to develop technology and financial systems that will catalyse large-scale restoration globally as well as help train future leaders for this...

 

Head of Laboratory

  • Job TypeFull Time
  • QualificationMBA/MSc/MA , PhD/Fellowship
  • Experience5 years
  • LocationNairobi
  • Job FieldScience 

Position Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Head of Laboratory to lead and manage Natural State’s multidisciplinary environmental analysis laboratory. Our laboratory focuses on spectroscopy for carbon and vegetation analysis, invertebrate identification and collection, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, and soil biodiversity studies. A core responsibility of the Head of Laboratory will be to oversee the transition of the lab from research-focused operations to a commercial service provider, delivering high-quality, cost-effective, and timely analytical services to internal teams and external partners.

The lab plays a critical role in advancing Natural State’s mission to generate high-resolution ecosystem insights in support of global restoration.

This role requires daily on-site presence with strong leadership and close collaboration with the other teams in the Impact Monitoring department as well as external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be both technically proficient and a capable team builder, ready to grow lab capabilities, mentor and develop the lab team, ensure operational excellence, and deliver measurable value through scientific and commercial impact.

Responsibilities:

Laboratory Operations & Quality Management

  • Manage daily operations of the lab, ensuring optimal workflow, safety, and compliance with quality standards (e.g., ISO/GLP where applicable).
  • Co-develop and implement a strategy for the lab
  • Oversee and implement analytical methodologies in spectroscopy, eDNA, invertebrate, and soil biodiversity analysis.
  • Ensure rigorous quality control and assurance procedures across all lab activities.
  • Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), lab protocols, and health & safety documentation.
  • Oversee data management standards and digital pipelines to ensure traceability, reproducibility, and integration with broader analytical frameworks
  • Lead the development of a comprehensive QA/QC framework covering sample handling, analysis, equipment calibration, and reporting.

Commercialisation & Service Provision

  • Co-develop and implement the lab’s commercialisation strategy, establishing fee-for-service models for internal departments and external partners.
  • Define service pricing structures, forecast revenue, and manage lab P&L in alignment with organizational goals.
  • Build and manage relationships with external clients and partners, ensuring delivery of timely, accurate, and cost-effective analytical results.
  • Monitor and report on lab performance metrics (e.g., turnaround times, cost per sample, client satisfaction).
  • Explore and develop partnerships with other service providers to compliment the NS lab’s capabilities, leveraging advances in AI and machine learning to optimise analysis and outputs.

Capacity Building & Team Leadership

  • Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of lab technicians, analysts, students, and interns.
  • Identify skills gaps and provide professional development opportunities to build a high-performing lab team.
  • Develop and deliver regular training sessions on lab conduct and health and safety standards, ensuring a culture of scientific integrity within the lab.
  • Lead recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation processes for lab personnel.

Research & Development Support

  • Collaborate with internal research teams and the Impact Monitoring department to design and support field sampling campaigns and analytical studies.
  • Contribute to the development and validation of new analytical techniques and tools.
  • Actively contribute to the development of the strategic framework for scaling lab operations.

Resource & Infrastructure Management

  • Manage lab inventory, procurement, and maintenance of analytical instruments (e.g., spectrometers, sequencing equipment, microscopes).
  • Oversee the calibration, troubleshooting, and upgrading of lab equipment.

Requirements:

  • MSc or PhD in Environmental Science, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Soil Science, or a related discipline.
  • At least 5 years of experience in laboratory management or senior lab role, preferably in an environmental or ecological context.
  • Proven experience in at least one of the following: spectroscopy, molecular biology/genetics or soil biodiversity.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage laboratory budgets, resources, and teams.
  • Experience delivering scientific services on a commercial basis or within contract research environments.
  • Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and standards for lab accreditation.
  • Strong project management skills and client communication experience.
  • Experience mentoring junior staff and students

Check if your CV matches this job with MyJobMag AI

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to Natural State on airtable.com to apply

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Customer Support Representative at BasiGo

BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up looking to revolutionize the public transportation sector by providing public transport bus owners with a cost-effective electric alternative to diesel. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, our team is strategically composed of seasoned entrepreneurs who have spent over a decade working and innovating within electric vehicle t...   Customer Support Representative Job Type Full Time Qualification BA/BSc/HND , Diploma Experience Location Nairobi Job Field Customer Care  About the role:  We are looking for Customer Support Representatives (CSR) to assist our customers with technical problems when using our products and services. You will be the primary point of contact for our customers and coordinate with all BasiGo departments to ensure that issues are resolved within SLA and customers are communicated promptly.  To be successful in this role, you should be an excellent communicator who easily gains client trust. You should ...
Read more

Junior Accounting Officer at Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi

Argyle Hotels Group is ranked Top 10 for Foreign Hotel Groups, Top 50 Global Hotel Groups and Top 60 Hotel Groups in Asia. AHG comprises of 13 distinct brands ranging from mid-scale to luxury and long-term stays; Argyle Grand Hotel, Argyle Boutique, Argyle Resorts, Argyle Hotel, Rejoice by Argyle, Argyle Suites, Argyle Waverton Apartments, Ausotel, Ausote...   Junior Accounting Officer Job Type Full Time , Onsite Qualification BA/BSc/HND Experience Location Nairobi Job Field Finance / Accounting / Audit  Salary Range KSh 200,000 - KSh 300,000/month We are seeking 2 detail-oriented, analytical, and highly professional Junior Accounting Officer to join our finance team at Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi. This role is vital to ensuring the smooth operation of the hotel’s financial systems and compliance processes. The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge in accounting, excellent organizational skills, and a commitment to accuracy and integrity. Key Responsibi...
Read more

Operations Associate at Kopo Kopo Inc

Kopo Kopo was launched in 2012 where we partnered with Safaricom to bring Lipa na M-Pesa Buy Goods service to small and medium businesses throughout Kenya and, today, we serve thousands of businesses from salons to restaurants to office supply stores, to schools. We have since partnered with other aggregator and mobile money partners with the ultimate goal of helping businesses leverage mobile payments. We are grateful for our unusual journey and look forward to helping our merchants in growing and prosper in the years ahead.   Operations Associate Job Type Full Time Qualification BA/BSc/HND Experience Location Nairobi Job Field Customer Care  Salary Range KSh 50,000 - KSh 100,000/month The Job:   The role will combine aspects of customer service and operations duties. Ultimately, you will be responsible for quickly solving problems for businesses that rely on Kopo Kopo’s technology. You will ensure that Kopo Kopo’s information systems are kept up to date, and will engage...
Read more