Core Facility Manager - Cell Ag/Food Innovation

Overview

The Future Food & Material Innovation Hub is a one-stop-shop for early- to mid-stage innovators in cellular agriculture and related foodtech and biomaterial spaces. The ethos of The Hub is set by Tufts University to collaboratively and inclusively make a difference towards transformative solutions to the most pressing global challenges. The Hub is set to launch in the second half of 2026 with founding business unit pillars including an incubator for startups, a shared-access R&D core facility for prototyping and scale-up, an open access cell bank, and a food systems innovation council. Overarching programming will be developed to facilitate networking, Tufts community, upskilling, and investment opportunities.

The Hub is the culmination of nearly a decade of progress and global leadership in these emerging spaces by Tufts University. The Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture (TUCCA) is a global leader in advancing sustainable food and biomaterial systems through biotechnology. TUCCA brings together academic researchers, industry partners, and startups to develop, translate, and scale technologies spanning cell culture, bioprocessing, food science, and applied manufacturing.

What You'll Do

The Core Facility Manager provides scientific, operational, and business leadership for the Hub service operations at Tufts University. This role oversees daily operations, personnel, budgeting, and external engagement for a multidisciplinary core facility supporting cell culture, bioprocessing, bioanalytical characterization, and culinary R&D workflows. The position is well‑suited for candidates with experience in academic cores, pilot‑scale facilities, biotechnology companies, or food and materials industry R&D organizations.

• Core Operations & Scientific Oversight: Oversee day‑to‑day operations across all core modules; ensure safe, compliant, and high‑quality technical workflows; manage inventory and instrument calibration and maintenance;
• Personnel Management & Training: Supervise, hire, mentor, and evaluate core staff; set training standards and performance expectations.
• User Engagement & Industry Partnerships: Serve as primary point of contact for faculty, startups, and industry partners ; execute on user agreements; consult on experimental design and scale‑up strategies.
• Budget, Pricing & Cost Recovery: Manage budgets, service pricing, utilization tracking, billing, and cost‑recovery models.
• Equipment & Strategic Development: Plan equipment acquisition, oversee maintenance and calibration, and support expansion of new service offerings.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 8+ years of relevant experience in biotechnology, food science, bioengineering, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory, pilot‑scale, or shared research facilities.
• Strong leadership, project management, and customer‑facing communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in relevant fields
• Experience working in industry or industry‑academic hybrid environments.
• Familiarity with scale‑up, regulated research, food safety, or manufacturing‑adjacent operations.
• Experience launching or expanding shared research or service platforms.

Pay Range

Minimum $72,500.00, Midpoint $90,700.00, Maximum $108,900.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.