Assoc Scientist I, BPTL-DCP, CGR

Frederick National Laboratory is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., addressing urgent and intractable problems in biomedical sciences including cancer, AIDS, drug development, nanotechnology in medicine, and emerging infectious diseases.

About the role

The BioProcessing and Trial Logistics (BPTL) team within the Cancer Genomics Research Laboratory (CGR) supports the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP) through expert oversight of biospecimen operations. This role involves integrating laboratory operations, biospecimen processing, inventory management, and site coordination to ensure high-quality specimen collection, processing, storage, tracking, and documentation. The Associate Scientist I will oversee laboratory operations, serve as a key coordination point among DCP leadership, CGR leadership, and consortia collection sites, and support expanding studies with CGR’s quality management system and laboratory information management system (LIMS).

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations for the BPTL team in support of DCP research activities.
• Manage biospecimen processing workflows, including receipt, accessioning, processing, aliquoting, storage, and shipment coordination.
• Ensure accurate and timely biospecimen inventory management within laboratory databases.
• Coordinate with DCP and CGR leadership to support study needs, operational priorities, and evolving program requirements.
• Serve as a key operational liaison with consortia collection sites nationwide to support specimen collection, issue resolution, and protocol compliance.
• Monitor study collection activity to ensure time-sensitive specimens are handled according to protocol and quality expectations.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of laboratory workflows using CGR’s quality management systems and high-throughput operational infrastructure, including documentation of deviations.
• Write and review standard operating procedures for laboratory processing.
• Review specimen receipt information, shipment documentation, and inventory records to identify discrepancies, trends, or operational issues.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders regarding specimen status, collection issues, shipment concerns, and data-related questions.
• Prepare and maintain accurate laboratory records, specimen tracking logs, reports, and other study documentation.
• Support laboratory quality assurance activities, equipment oversight, supply management, and general laboratory organization.
• Train and guide laboratory staff on biospecimen handling procedures, documentation practices, and protocol-specific requirements.
• Use Excel, Word, Outlook, and laboratory information systems daily for tracking, reporting, communication, and operational management.
• Contribute to the successful scale-up of active and newly expanding studies through strong coordination, prioritization, and data oversight.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in a relevant scientific discipline, or four (4) years of relevant experience in lieu of degree. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant laboratory experience with human biospecimens and progressively increasing responsibility in laboratory operations, specimen management, or clinical research support.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing laboratory activities, biospecimen processing, and specimen inventory.
• Experience working with human biological specimens in research, clinical, or biorepository settings, including blood fractionation.
• Strong understanding of biospecimen handling, chain of custody, and documentation requirements.
• Experience with laboratory data management and specimen tracking systems.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal leadership and external collection sites.
• Experience coordinating multiple activities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated organizational, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain focus for extended periods and manage detailed data accurately.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience overseeing staff and laboratory operations in support of multi-site clinical research or consortia-based specimen collection programs.
• Experience coordinating with external collection sites, study teams, or clinical partners across geographically distributed programs.
• Experience with biospecimen inventory management databases, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), or electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs).
• Familiarity with quality management systems in a regulated or high-throughput laboratory environment.
• Experience supporting scale-up of specimen collection operations for active or expanding clinical studies.
• Experience with specimen shipping/logistics, kit management, and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Experience reviewing laboratory operational data and using metrics to support workflow improvement.
• Knowledge of basic biorepository operations.
• Previous experience training staff in laboratory procedures and documentation practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with scientific, operational, and administrative stakeholders.
• Strong data management skills and attention to detail.

Job Hazards

This position is subject to working with or having potential exposure to infectious materials, requiring medical clearance and immunizations. Work involves Biosafety Level II laboratory conditions as well as standard office/administrative conditions. Work may involve the use of potentially hazardous chemical or biological materials or may be in areas where such materials are used, requiring the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to strict safety protocols.

Pay

The posted pay range for this job is $93,800.00 - $134,285.00 USD. This range is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave, and Retirement.