Biorepository Specialist

About the role

One of the first human genetics departments in the country, the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine has a rich history of training geneticists and genetic counselors and providing genetic consultation and counseling services. Currently ranked 5th in the nation among Genetics Departments for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, the department contributes to the understanding of numerous genetic conditions through the integration of basic research in genetic and genomic mechanisms, translational research in disease models, and clinical trials in rare and common genetic diseases.

Responsibilities

• Leads research activities and protocol development to ensure best practice and effective processes.
• Researches, recommends, and implements changes to biorepository laboratory protocols for storage, collection, and analysis of specimens.
• Supervises, mentors, and provides training for junior-level staff.
• Prepares summary data reports and creates and maintains databases for storage and analysis.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable local and federal regulations.
• Maintains equipment, including preventive maintenance, scheduling repairs as needed, service agreement negotiations, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and maintaining an active list of vendors to respond to equipment loss.
• May design and conduct a wide range of complex experiments.
• Manages efficient lab workflow, process improvements, and compliance with quality standards.
• Monitors accurate documentation of sample collection, processing, storage conditions, and chain of custody records.

Requirements

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Required: Bachelor's degree in a related field
  • Preferred: Master's degree in a related field
• Work Experience:
  • Required: 4 years of laboratory experience
  • Preferred: 4 years accessioning experience

Skills

• Required:
  • Proficient communication skills
  • Maintains a high degree of professionalism
  • Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
  • Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
  • Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
  • Highly thorough and dependable
  • Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Preferred:
  • Accessioning experience using Laboratory Information Management System, OpenSpecimen

The role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. The role frequently requires the ability to move about the work environment and to position oneself to operate laboratory equipment effectively. The role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

This position is grant funded with expected annual renewals. Renewals are contingent on the availability of grant funds. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Pay

$65,000.00 - 75,000.00 per year based on experience and internal equity within the department

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)