Research Operations Manager

About the role

You will own and continuously improve the core systems that allow Basis to conduct ambitious research at scale. This role involves designing and running the operational structures that support deep technical inquiry, from how people collaborate to how workspaces and tools are organized. You will translate high-level institutional principles into concrete processes that remove friction from research. The work requires equal parts rigorous execution and thoughtful design, treating operations as a primary discipline rather than a support function. You will be accountable for the reliability and effectiveness of major operational domains, ensuring they evolve as the organization grows.

Key facts

What you'll do

Coordinate the design and ongoing operation of People operations, recruiting, and hiring systems to support a growing research team.

Implement automations and integrations that reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and allow operational systems to scale, collaborating with technical colleagues when custom tooling is required.

Own and evolve project management practices, standards, and tools that keep complex research initiatives aligned and visible.

Own and improve the operation of Basis' offices and labs, including workplace planning, access management, supplies, facilities issues, and relationships with landlords and vendors across New York and Cambridge.

Design and execute research gatherings, multi-day meetings, the annual retreat, visiting-researcher logistics, and other in-person collaboration formats that enable deep, efficient work.

Contribute to the operational aspects of grant and contract preparation, administration, and compliance to support sustained external funding.

Maintain and improve the documentation, tools, calendars, and operating processes that serve as the backbone of organizational coordination.

Identify recurring operational problems, determine their underlying causes, and develop solutions that prevent issues from reoccurring.

Partner closely with the COO and leadership team to develop the operations function, define standards, and take ownership of major domains without needing constant direction.

Contribute to the culture and direction of Basis by shaping the policies, systems, and organizational practices that guide how work gets done.

Requirements

You have demonstrated the ability to own important operational domains and run them reliably over time in environments with ambiguity and evolving needs.

You exercise sound judgment and operate with a high degree of autonomy, including when facing uncertainty or incomplete information.

You take the details of execution seriously, closing loops, maintaining systems, and following work through to completion without repeated reminders.

You enjoy operations as a craft, including both the design of new systems and the recurring work required to keep them functioning effectively.

You are comfortable in a technical research environment, able to engage with experts, and interested in understanding how research organizations work and evolve.

You communicate clearly and handle personnel, candidate, grant, and organizational information with consistent discretion and professionalism.

You are excited about force-multiplying impact through careful organization, even when the results of this work are not externally visible.

You have the right to decline tasks that do not align with the role's responsibilities or the organization's principles, and you will articulate these decisions clearly.

Nice to have

Experience in a research institute, laboratory, scientific or deep-tech organization, or other highly technical environment.

Experience across several areas of operations, such as People, recruiting, facilities, events, grants, or organizational administration.

Experience developing policies or operating systems for a growing or changing organization.

Experience managing external partners such as facilities providers, university administrators, legal counsel, landlords, and vendors.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in the New York Office.

The role involves occasional travel between New York and Cambridge as needed for research gatherings and operational duties.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role.

This role reports to the COO and involves significant independent ownership of operational domains.