Learn how to transition smoothly between academic and industrial laboratory management roles, focusing on key differences and skills for success.

Depending on the lab, some laboratory managers may make significant contributions to ongoing projects in the lab or have their independent research projects. Others may be primarily responsible for keeping inventory and assigning or completing standard lab tasks (ex. ordering more of a reagent, assigning agar plate maintenance, etc.). There are also those that do a mix of both.

Last updated on Jul 26, 2024

Here's how you can navigate the differences between being a laboratory manager in academia versus industry.

Navigating the role of a laboratory manager requires a nuanced understanding of the environment you're in. The academic and industrial sectors, while sharing common scientific principles, operate under different expectations and constraints. In academia, your focus might be on fostering innovation, mentoring students, and securing grants. Contrastingly, in industry, you'll likely prioritize product development, regulatory compliance, and profit margins. Understanding these differences is crucial for effectively managing laboratory operations and leading your team to success in either setting.

1 Role Focus

In academia, your role as a laboratory manager often involves a significant amount of research and education. You're expected to keep abreast of the latest scientific discoveries and integrate them into your laboratory's practices. Additionally, mentoring students and junior researchers is a key responsibility. In contrast, industry laboratory managers focus more on product development and quality control to ensure that the company's products meet industry standards and customer expectations.

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Kelechi Onwuzurike

NIH-NIA Postbac at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center | Former NIH-MARC, CAMP & Amgen Scholar | UCLA Alumni | Aspiring Physician-Scientist & Bioengineer
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Depending on the lab, some laboratory managers may make significant contributions to ongoing projects in the lab or have their independent research projects. Others may be primarily responsible for keeping inventory and assigning or completing standard lab tasks (ex. ordering more of a reagent, assigning agar plate maintenance, etc.). There are also those that do a mix of both.

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Zuzana Lorkova

PHD Candidate at the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice
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The main responsibility of laboratory managers in academia is to ensure the availability of the necessary material. This includes placing orders and handling all administrative processes. They also participate in research and have several students they mentor. In industry, they order all the necessary materials and control the quality and quantity of work to meet market demands. But it depends on the laboratory and sometimes also on the managers

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2 Funding Sources

Understanding the source of funding is critical when managing a lab. In academia, funds typically come from government grants, educational institutions, and sometimes private donors. Your ability to write grant proposals and manage budgets according to strict guidelines will be paramount. In industry, funding is more likely to come from the company's revenue, with a strong emphasis on return on investment (ROI) and aligning lab activities with business goals.

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Zuzana Lorkova

PHD Candidate at the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice
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In academia, securing funding is a constant battle. Funds are obtained from grants, so it is necessary to write a very good grant proposal and then the laboratory managers manage the budget very strictly to ensure the funds are spent as intended. In industry, everything we needed was ordered immediately. Every wish was fulfilled.

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3 Compliance Standards

Compliance with regulations is another area where academic and industrial labs diverge. As a manager in an academic lab, you'll deal with safety and ethical standards, primarily concerned with ensuring the well-being of students and integrity of research. In industry, you must navigate a complex landscape of regulatory requirements that are critical to market products safely and legally, including quality assurance protocols and certifications.

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Beatriz Andrade

Quality Control | Laboratory Specialist II
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Os padrões de conformidade em laboratórios industriais precisam seguir normativas de metodologias analíticas para que os resultados sejam validados e o produto comercializado com total segurança, dentro das especificações. Isso inclui documentos de gestão como procedimentos operacionais, carta controle dos equipamentos, certificados de calibração dos equipamentos e certificados de qualidade do produto, tudo que indique a conformidade do serviço.

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4 Team Dynamics

Team dynamics can differ significantly between academic and industry settings. In academia, you may lead a team of students and postdocs, fostering an environment of learning and discovery. Your leadership style might be more collaborative, focusing on developing individual potential. In the industrial setting, your team likely consists of career scientists and technicians with a clear focus on efficiency and productivity, which may require a more results-driven approach.

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Beatriz Andrade

Quality Control | Laboratory Specialist II
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As equipas em laboratórios industriais tem de ser bem orientadas e treinadas para que todos realizem um serviço padrão, visando a diminuição de erros provenientes da variação entre os técnicos. Também se faz de extrema importância uma passagem de serviço eficiente, com objetivo de relatar todos os acontecimentos de um turno para o próximo, como anomalias em equipamentos, ações pendentes e resultados esperados.

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5 Resource Allocation

Resource allocation is a key aspect of laboratory management that varies between sectors. In academic labs, you might find resources are more limited, requiring strategic use of equipment and materials. This often necessitates a creative approach to problem-solving and experimentation. Meanwhile, industry labs may have access to more state-of-the-art equipment and resources but will demand meticulous resource management to maximize profitability and minimize waste.

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Beatriz Andrade

Quality Control | Laboratory Specialist II
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Apesar de haver maior facilidade na alocação de recursos em um laboratório industrial, é preciso comprovar a necessidade das compras com resultados melhores e/ou mais lucrativos.

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6 Career Pathways

Lastly, consider the career pathways available in each sector. Academic lab managers might progress into higher administrative roles or become principal investigators leading their own research agendas. In industry, career advancement can lead to positions in senior management, where you'll play a pivotal role in shaping company strategy and overseeing multiple projects or departments.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can navigate the differences between being a laboratory manager in academia versus industry.

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1 Role Focus

2 Funding Sources

3 Compliance Standards

4 Team Dynamics

5 Resource Allocation

6 Career Pathways

7 Here’s what else to consider

Laboratory Management

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