Manager, Scientific Research - Hybrid

At Vitalant, the impact you make doing work that is purposeful, meaningful, and worthwhile is vital. As a member of our non-profit organization, you can be impact-inspired to provide vital clinical services to communities nationwide, vital products to those in need of a donor's generosity, or vital scientific research that advances blood safety worldwide.

Compensation Considerations:

Leads and executes innovative translational research programs, with responsibility for assay development, validation, and independent research projects. Provides scientific and technical expertise while ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality requirements.
The role requires scientific leadership, including scientific protocol design and execution, mentoring staff, writing grants and publications, and collaborating across teams. It also involves strategic and tactical planning to align research capabilities with organizational priorities. Requires strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with advanced scientific expertise and experience in regulated laboratory environments.

Work Shift (if applicable):

Shift 1 (United States of America)

Job Description:

At the Vitalant Innovation Center, our mission is to advance transfusion medicine through research, innovation, and the development of solutions that improve patient outcomes. As a Manager, Scientific Research, you will provide scientific leadership for blood component-focused translational research that supports the advancement of blood collection, processing, characterization, and application. This role is responsible for designing, executing, and delivering innovative research programs, including assay and protocol development, validation studies, and product development initiatives that help shape the future of transfusion science.

Working closely with Blood Services, clinical teams, and external partners, you will lead independent research projects from concept through implementation while ensuring testing capabilities, resources, and scientific objectives align with organizational priorities. Success in this role requires strong technical expertise, strategic planning skills, and a collaborative leadership style focused on mentoring laboratory staff, fostering scientific rigor, and driving innovation through effective cross-functional partnerships and communication.

Compensation: $130,000 - $150,000

This hybrid role is based at our Vitalant Innovation Center operations in Denver, CO, with a schedule of three in-office days per week and two remote work-from-home days.

As the Manager, Scientific Research, you'll get to:

• Lead and execute blood component-focused translational research programs that advance the collection, processing, characterization, and application of blood products.

• Design, develop, validate, and implement innovative assays and research protocols to support product development, scientific discovery, and operational excellence.

• Direct independent research projects from concept through completion, including study design, data analysis, interpretation, and presentation of findings.

• Provide scientific leadership and technical expertise to internal stakeholders, Blood Services partners, clinical collaborators, and external research organizations.

• Mentor, develop, and lead laboratory staff, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, critical thinking, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Collaborate across functional teams to support validation studies, innovation initiatives, problem-solving efforts, and strategic organizational objectives.

• Author and contribute to scientific publications, research proposals, presentations, and grant-related activities that advance transfusion medicine and patient care.

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, quality standards, SOPs, and audit requirements while supporting internal and external laboratory inspections.

• Drive process improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, quality, customer service, and operational effectiveness.

• Assist in the development and management of departmental goals, budgets, resources, and testing capabilities to support current and future business needs.

• Coordinate laboratory workflows and research activities to ensure timely, high-quality execution of scientific programs and deliverables.

REQUIREMENTS:
KNOWLEDGE/EDUCATION

• Life Science Degree required, PhD or equivalent experience required.

• Knowledge of research and blood banking regulations required.

EXPERIENCE

• Five years laboratory experience required.

• Five years supervisory experience required.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Must possess the skills and abilities to successfully perform all assigned duties and responsibilities.

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.

• Demonstrated and effective leadership and managerial skills.

• Demonstrated knowledge in applicable regulations affecting areas of responsibility.

• Strong organization and analytical skills.

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and assignments.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principal chemical, biological, physical, biochemical, and/or environmental techniques as applicable to work assignments.

• Ability to succeed in a team-oriented atmosphere and lead team activities.

• Knowledge and use of relevant PC software applications and skills to use them effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Location:

717 Yosemite Street Denver, CO 80230

Job Category:

Vitalant Research Institute

Contact Information: [email protected]

If you are impact-inspired to help others, and making a difference is vital for you, you'll experience a career built on purpose, a company created to care, and a team committed to lead - together.