Lab Operations Associate Manager, Run Research

Job description

**Who We Are:** At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation. Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success: - ***Runner First*** - *We act in the best interest of the runner* - ***Word is Bond*** - *We do what we say we’ll do* - ***Champion Heart*** - *We give our all in everything we do* - ***There is no “I” in Run*** - *We stay generous with our humanity* - ***Keep Moving*** - *We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!* We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re *all* moving towards something. Let’s run there. ### Your Job: The mission of the Brooks Run Research Lab is to unlock the future of the run by transforming human movement and runner experience into innovations that help every runner go faster, run longer and feel more alive. The Run Research Lab Operations Associate Manager is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Run Research Lab’s physical infrastructure, equipment and testing environments. This role ensures that researchers have reliable, accurate, and well-maintained tools to execute world-class biomechanics, physiology, and mind performance research. This role is critical to ensure the lab operates flawlessly. The Run Research Lab Operations Associate Manager serves as the operational backbone of the laboratory, overseeing equipment maintenance, calibration, vendor relationships, laboratory organization, safety procedures and participant readiness. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with exceptional organizational skills and a passion for supporting scientific research and innovation. ### Your Responsibilities: #### EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT - Manage the day-to-day operation of the Brooks Run Research Lab physical space and all associated testing spaces. - Own the administration and lifecycle management of the Lab systems and technologies, ensuring operational readiness, performance standards and alignment with research priorities. - Develop, coordinate and oversee inspection, calibration, maintenance and service programs for lab equipment. - Administer vendor relationships, service agreements, and maintenance contracts for research technologies, evaluating service performance and recommending improvements. Maintain and support a wide range of research technologies, including but not limited to: - 3D Motion Capture Systems - Instrumented treadmills and force measurement systems - In-shoe pressure measurement systems - Foot scanning and fit technologies - VALD performance assessment systems - Metabolic carts and respiratory analysis equipment - Heart rate and physiological monitoring systems - EMG and neuromuscular assessment technologies - Wearable sensor platforms - Data acquisition and synchronization hardware - Apply knowledge of human physiology and biomechanics to configure equipment for optimal performance studies. - Execute regular calibration and validation protocols. - Maintain documentation and standard operating procedures for equipment setup and operation. - Partner with IT to maintain lab equipment as needed. - Support long-term laboratory equipment replacement strategies by evaluating emerging lab technologies and developing recommendations regarding equipment upgrades, replacement priorities, and technology investments based on research needs, capability gaps, lifecycle considerations and operational efficiency. Support laboratory operating and capital planning processes by identifying equipment replacement needs, preparing business justifications, and providing recommendations for future investments #### LAB MANAGEMENT - Maintain a safe, organized and efficient laboratory environment. - Administer lab compliance programs and operating procedures, ensuring alignment with safety requirements, equipment standards and company policies. - Lead laboratory organization initiatives to optimize workflow and equipment accessibility for research studies. - Own laboratory operational processes and continuously identify opportunities to improve efficiency, equipment utilization, data quality, and study readiness. - Prepare equipment and laboratory spaces for research studies. - Assist researchers with study setup and participant testing logistics. #### DATA MANAGEMENT - Ensure data quality standards are met across all laboratory equipment. - Review preliminary data outputs to confirm equipment is producing reliable results. - Troubleshoot data collection issues and equipment related changes. - Coordinate facility improvements and laboratory infrastructure upgrades. #### RESEARCH SUPPORT - Contribute operational expertise during the design and execution of novel research methodologies. - Support onboarding and training of new researchers on laboratory equipment and procedures. - Staying up to date on advancements in laboratory technology and methodologies. - Assess operational requirements and provide recommendations regarding laboratory technologies, workflows, and equipment configurations to support research objectives. - Track maintenance budgets and service expenditures. ### Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree with a background in biomechanics, kinesiology, exercise science, physiology, engineering, or a related human-performance science field. Strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics of running. - 3+ years in laboratory operations, facilities management or a sports science / research support environment with exposure to biomechanics and/or physiology equipment. - Demonstrated expertise working with complex scientific instrumentation and data collection systems (calibration procedures, operating equipment, quality assurance, troubleshooting and maintenance) to ensure accurate, reliable, and reproducible biomechanics and physiology data. - Experience working with motion capture systems, force plates, pressure measurement systems, metabolic carts, environmental chambers and wearable technologies. - Experience managing vendor relationships – service contracts, procurement, repairs, and equipment upgrades. - Experience developing and enforcing lab safety procedures and SOPs. - Experience coordinating research participants or athletes (scheduling, intake, informed consent processes, safety briefings). - Knowledge of human performance subject testing environments. - Strong understanding of human anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology and human movement principles, with the ability to apply the knowledge to laboratory operations, equipment setup, troubleshooting, and support of human performance research. - Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced research environment. - Demonstrated ability to develop highly productive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company. - Curious and open minded; always up for a challenge, inventive and creative. Ability to challenge the status quo- always looking at improving our processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details. - Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate a point of view and functional expertise. - Detail oriented with ability to multi-task. Strong organizational and time management skills. - Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment, anticipating and resolving problems in a timely manner. - Excellent verbal, written, presentational skills. - MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access skills are required as well as experience working with PDM or other databases. - Comfort with uncertainty and absorbing new knowledge fast - Demonstrated ability to try things quickly rather than waiting for a “perfect” plan. - Demonstrates an optimistic winning attitude that drives problem solving. - Demonstrates a growth mindset, seeking and providing feedback regularly. - Demonstrates ability to operate independently with defined goals. - Be self-driven and show the ability to deliver on ambiguous projects with incomplete data. Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment, anticipating and resolving problems in a timely manner. - A positive attitude that embraces and lives the Brooks values!