Science department ably managed housing for lecturer (10)
I believe the answer is:
laboratory
'science department' is the definition.
I know that 'science' relates to this answer. I also know that both the answer and definition are singular nouns
'ably managed housing for lecturer' is the wordplay.
'managed' indicates an anagram.
'housing' indicates putting letters inside.
'for lecturer' becomes 'orator' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ably' anagrammed gives 'laby'.
'laby' placed around 'orator' is 'LABORATORY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for laboratory that I've seen before include "workplace" , "Where litmus paper could be" , "Where one investigates" , "Place for experimentation" , "Language-learning facility" .)