Sr Research Assistant, Hoxworth Blood Center, Clinical Research

About the role

The Clinical Research Department at Hoxworth Blood Center is seeking a full-time Senior Research Assistant to support clinical and translational research studies in transfusion medicine and cell therapies.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform complex, protocol-driven laboratory procedures and accurately document results in compliance with SOPs and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct specialized laboratory techniques, including RBC radiolabeling and in vivo survival studies, and support validation and licensing studies.
• Perform new test validations and generate validation reports to support clinical research and regulatory submissions.
• Collect, analyze, and report laboratory data related to hematology and immunohematology studies.
• Ensure adherence to CLIA, FDA, and CAP standards, including maintenance of QC/QA processes and audit readiness.
• Troubleshoot technical and workflow issues using advanced laboratory knowledge and experience.
• Train and mentor junior staff, ensuring consistency in laboratory practices and compliance with SOPs.
• Support laboratory operations, including instrument maintenance, quality control, and inventory oversight.
• Assist in development and refinement of laboratory procedures, workflows, and research standards.
• Contribute to multiple ongoing studies, ensuring timely completion of study-related activities and deliverables.
• Provide direct and/or indirect supervision to exempt and non-exempt staff (i.e., hiring/firing, performance evaluations, disciplinary action, approve time off, etc.).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Seven (7) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience.
• Additional related work experience may be required depending on field or discipline.
• ASCP-certified Technologist in Molecular Biology and Hematology.
• Expertise in highly specialized techniques, including RBC radiolabeling and advanced transfusion medicine laboratory practices.
• Proven ability to work in high-complexity clinical environments (e.g., transfusion services, clinical trials, molecular diagnostics labs).
• Strong track record of regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and audit readiness.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Sitting - Continuously
• Repetitive hand motion (such as typing) - Often
• Hearing, listening - Often
• Talking - Often
• Standing - Often
• Walking - Often
• Bending - Often
• Reaching overhead - Often
• Stooping - Seldom
• Kneeling, squatting - Seldom
• Crouching - Seldom
• Lifting - up to 20 pounds - Seldom
• Lifting - up to 50 pounds - Seldom