We are seeking a skilled Automation Manager to lead our automation development and implementation efforts. In this role, you will leverage your expertise to contribute to the acceleration of the drug discovery pipeline for our clients, utilizing our state-of-the-art organoid technology (referred to as "patient in the lab"). Your responsibilities will include scaling and optimizing our services by developing and implementing automated processes that drive efficiency improvements and maximize revenue generation across our various service offerings.

HUB Organoids BV is part of the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstad, a leading science and technology operating across healthcare, life science and electronics. Making a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live.

Scope of position:

In this position, you will report directly to the Chief Scientific Officer. This is an exciting opportunity within our dynamic scale-up company, where you will lead the development and implementation of automated processes in the laboratory. You will be responsible for developing, improving, and executing strategies to integrate and enhance automation systems across our organoid workflows.

Your role will combine technical expertise in automation with a focus on driving commercial outcomes, maximizing efficiency, and targeting specific revenue growth objectives. You will play a key leadership role in advancing our automation capabilities, ensuring that our lab processes can scale to meet the organization’s needs.

A crucial aspect of this role involves a hands-on approach to automating processes while also managing and coaching an automation specialist.

This position offers the chance to work across multidisciplinary teams of scientists, research associates, lab managers, and project managers in a fast-paced environment. You will deal with a diverse array of organoid-based lab activities, including organoid expansion and manipulation, while defining processes for automation. The ultimate goal is to support both our customers and the organization.

What will you do?

• Lead the development and implementation of advanced automation solutions throughout the organoid workflow, ensuring alignment with business goals to maximize efficiency and productivity.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership and the research team to identify automation-driven opportunities that enhance revenue streams, optimize resource allocation, and achieve commercial milestones.
• Take a hands-on approach to developing and implementing automated processes, while overseeing daily operations in the laboratory related to automation onboarding, deployment, training, and troubleshooting of instrumentation.
• Analyze current workflows to identify automation bottlenecks, and design processes that improve throughput, minimize errors, and reduce the time required to deliver experimental results.
• Manage and mentor an automation specialist, ensuring alignment on automation projects and providing strategic direction.
• Develop and implement processes and documentation—such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance manuals, and startup procedures—that adhere to HUB’s quality standards for best practices related to automation.
• Establish, monitor, and maintain a stable and productive automation environment through quality control and preventative maintenance.
• Provide technical and scientific support to end-users involved in commercial projects, including Business Developers, Research teams, and HUB’s customers.

What will you bring?

• PhD in Life Sciences (such as Biotechnology or related fields).
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in laboratory automation, specifically with systems like Hamilton and Tecan.
• Expertise in high-throughput assays and cell culture techniques.
• Proven track record in hardware and software troubleshooting, liquid class design, and development.
• Demonstrated experience in programming automated instruments, preferably with TECAN Fluent Control.
• Experience in designing, building, and deploying automated laboratory workflows in life sciences or clinical laboratories.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Leadership experience, such as serving as a team lead.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced scale-up environment.
• Effective communication and organizational skills to interact with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Self-motivated individual capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities efficiently.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment with multidisciplinary groups and individuals.

What we offer and who we are:

A one year contract, with outlook on a permanent position

• Competitive salary with attractive benefits like 30,5 leave days plus national holidays.
• Pension Plan with 2/3 contribution paid by HUB.
• Commuter allowance of 0,21 EUR, unlimited distance.
• Flexible work from home policy.

Opportunity to develop your leadership skills with internal and external coaching.

• International work environment in a multi-cultural team.
• HUB is an open and energetic organization, where a multi-cultural team of over 22 unique nationalities is passionate to refine organoid development and foster organoid adoption globally. Our technology brings a ‘patient in the lab’ by developing small organs to develop and test drug and other treatment. We’re a fast-growing, world leading biotech company in organoid technology.

Interested?

• Please apply with your cover letter and resume, in English on our website: https://careers.huborganoids.nl/
• Questions regarding this position can be addressed to CSO Sylvia Boj (s.boj@huborganoids.nl)