Research Infrastructure Manager

ABOUT VINUNIVERSITY 

VinUniversity (VinUni) is Vietnam’s first private, not-for-profit university established to international standards, with the vision of becoming one of the world’s top 100 universities. Guided by its core values (EXCEL) of Empathy, Creativity, Leadership Mindset, Exceptional Capability, and Entrepreneurial Spirit, VinUni develops talent equipped to create meaningful impact in Vietnam and globally. 

Founded by Vingroup, one of Asia’s largest private conglomerates, VinUni benefits from a dynamic ecosystem spanning Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture, and Social Enterprises. This ecosystem provides unique opportunities for collaboration and innovation through leading organizations such as VinFast, Vinpearl, Vinmec, Vinschool, and Vinhomes, as well as a vibrant entrepreneurial network including VinVentures, VinMotion, VinRobotics, VinSpace, and VinEnergo, etc. 

VinUni comprises 4 colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Management, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Health Sciences. The University has established strategic partnerships with Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Nanyang Technological University to advance excellence in education, research, and innovation. 

In 2024, VinUni became the youngest and fastest university globally to achieve QS 5 Stars, earning the highest rating in nine categories: Global Engagement, Good Governance, Program Strength, Academic Development, Teaching, Employability, Facilities, Arts, and Social Impact. The University was also appointed by UNESCO as the first and only UNESCO Chair University, focusing on Environmental Leadership, Cultural Heritage, and Biodiversity. 

As a rapidly growing research-intensive university, VinUni is investing in world-class talent, research centers, and cutting-edge facilities to drive breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science, Environmental Intelligence, Innovations in Health Sciences, Policy Development, and Sustainable Societies.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Research Infrastructure Manager at VinUniversity is responsible for planning, overseeing, and managing the Research Complex Facility and equipment, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations. This role supports over 50 researchers across multiple research laboratories by managing equipment, supervising technical staff, coordinating lab access, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and optimizing lab resources to enhance research productivity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Infrastructure strategy & planning

• Develop uni-wide research infrustructure strategy (labs, equipment, core facilities)
• Define 3-5 year infrastructure investment roadmap
• Prioritise major equipment and lab development
• Prepare CAPEX proposals for new labs/equipment
• Benchmak against peer universities and identify emerging technologies and equipment needs

Core lab operations management

• Oversee day-to-day operation of core labs, ensure labs are functional, safe, and efficient
• Monitor usage rates of equipment
• Optimize scheduling and reduce downtime
• Approve and mange user access (faculty, students, external users)
• Develop and maintain SPOs for equipment usage
• Ensure compliance with safety standards
• Conduct safety checks and audits

Equipment lifecycle management

• Support specification development for equipment purchase
• Coordinate develivery, installation, and calibration
• Schedule preventive maintenance
• Coordinate repairs with vendors
• Maintain dataset of equipment and assets

Research resource coordination

• Manage booking system for labs/equipment
• Respond to user inquiries and technical requests
• Track lab usage, user statistics, and demand trends
• Maintain user logs, training records, compliance documents

Training and capacity building

• Conduct training sessions for lab users
• Assess and certify users for equipment usage
• Develop manuals, guides, and tutorials

External services and revenue generation

• Provide lab services to external partners/industry
• Develop pricing models for lab usage
• Facilitate industry access to infrastructure
• Prepare monthly reports on lab usage and efficiency
• Track operational cost and revenue

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master‘s degree in a relevant field (engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, or related discipline).
• 5 years of experience in research lab management, facilities oversight, or equivalent roles.
• Strong background in lab equipment maintenance, research facility operations, and compliance standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience managing multi-user research facilities or technical research support teams.
• Experience in budgeting and procurement for research labs.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Expertise in research equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety compliance.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills to manage lab technicians and assistants.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and interact effectively with faculty, researchers, and students.
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot technical and operational issues in a research setting.
• Familiarity with inventory tracking, procurement processes, and budget management.
• Demonstrated alignment with VinUniversity‘s core values (EXCEL): Empathy, Exceptional Capability, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Leadership Mindset.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Please note that only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.