(Clinical) Research Technician

About the role

This role supports a CAP-accredited, BSL2+ biorepository and biospecimen processing core facility that provides centralized expertise and infrastructure for the acquisition, processing, storage, and distribution of high-quality human biospecimens for basic, translational, and clinical research.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of routine and complex technical duties related to standardized biospecimen processing and biobanking in alignment with the core facility’s mission to support investigator-driven research projects and clinical trials.
• Follow written procedures, study protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) with strict adherence to quality control and quality assurance practices.
• Receive human biospecimens, including blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, hair, and other bodily fluids, delivered via mail, courier, or in-person collection, and verify that all samples meet study-specific requirements.
• Collect human samples when needed in accordance with study protocols, institutional review board (IRB) requirements, and biosafety guidelines.
• Process biospecimens using sterile technique, including pipetting, separating serum, and processing Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from patient blood.
• Operate and maintain centrifuges to process blood and other biospecimens according to protocol-defined parameters.
• Aliquot biospecimens into appropriate containers, label them accurately, and prepare them for storage or shipment.
• Store biospecimens in liquid nitrogen freezers or other designated storage systems, ensuring proper temperature control and accurate tracking of sample locations.
• Ship biospecimens in accordance with study protocols, SOPs, and regulatory requirements, ensuring proper packaging, labeling, and documentation.
• Use REDCap and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) platforms to document sample receipt, processing, storage, and shipment, ensuring accurate and timely data entry in electronic processing forms.
• Maintain high levels of data entry accuracy for all electronic processing forms and sample records.
• Cryopreserve PBMCs and perform thawing procedures to confirm viability and suitability for future use in immune system–related studies.
• Understand and interpret study IRB requirements, SOPs, and protocol-specific instructions to ensure compliant handling of all biospecimens.
• Practice and maintain sterile technique throughout all handling and processing steps to minimize contamination and ensure sample integrity.
• Respond to on-call responsibilities, including answering a pager, going onsite as required to collect samples, address freezer issues, or perform urgent processing tasks.
• Collaborate with other processors, histology technologists, and molecular technologists to support daily operations and ensure timely completion of all assigned tasks.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, adhering to BSL2+ biosafety standards and institutional policies.
• Participate in training and continuous learning to stay current with evolving procedures, technologies, and best practices in biospecimen processing and biobanking.
• Demonstrate reliability, strong work ethic, attention to detail, and willingness to listen and learn in a fast-paced clinical research environment.

Essential Skills

• At least 2+ years of experience working in a clinical laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of sterility and sterile technique in handling human biospecimens.
• Proficiency in pipetting and routine laboratory techniques.
• Experience operating centrifuges for processing blood and other biospecimens.
• Ability to process blood, including separating PBMCs from patient blood and performing cryopreservation and thawing procedures.
• Familiarity with biospecimen processing workflows, including receiving, collecting, processing, aliquoting, storing, and shipping human samples.
• Ability to follow written procedures, study protocols, SOPs, and IRB requirements accurately and consistently.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data entry accuracy in electronic processing forms.
• Reliability, strong work ethic, and consistent follow-through on assigned responsibilities.
• Willingness to listen, learn, and adapt to evolving procedures and study requirements.
• Ability to practice safe and compliant laboratory behavior in a BSL2+ environment.
• Comfort working fully gowned, including wearing face shields and double gloves, for extended periods.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using REDCap for data capture and management in clinical or research settings is highly preferred.
• Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is highly preferred.
• Prior exposure to biobanking or biorepository operations is beneficial.
• Experience handling a wide range of human biospecimens, including blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, hair, and other bodily fluids, is advantageous.
• Demonstrated commitment, reliability, and strong work ethic in previous roles.
• Eagerness to learn new techniques and technologies related to biospecimen processing and storage.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, including processors, histology technologists, and molecular technologists.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a time-sensitive environment.