URGENTLY HIRING: Research Associate I

About the role

The Research Associate I plays a key role in clinical research support within a GCP/GLP environment, focusing on sample logistics, preparation, and documentation for clinical and pre-clinical studies. This position collaborates closely with internal teams and external partners to manage biopsy samples, harmonize documents, maintain training records, and oversee a centralized site and sample tracking database. The role supports domestic and international surgical and laboratory sites and contributes to vendor management for specialty laboratories, ensuring accurate tracking and reconciliation of incoming sample shipments across a range of therapeutic programs.

Responsibilities

• Support translational biology efforts across cell and gene therapy, RNA, siRNA, and gene editing programs by managing clinical and pre-clinical samples.
• Facilitate end-to-end sample logistics, including coordination of shipments, tracking, and reconciliation of clinical samples using both paper and electronic record-keeping systems.
• Develop, manage, and oversee sample management processes, including the implementation and maintenance of a centralized database for clinical samples and consent tracking.
• Perform ongoing sample and database management to ensure data integrity, accuracy, and timely updates for all clinical and pre-clinical studies.
• Assist with coordination, tracking, and inventory oversight of clinical trial supplies to support biopsy surgical and laboratory sites.
• Ensure strict compliance with GCP and GLP guidelines, FDA regulations, ICH guidelines, and applicable SOPs in all sample handling and documentation activities.
• Maintain, update, and distribute training manuals, materials, and resources related to sample management for clinical trial biopsy sites, and keep training documentation records current.
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations, Data Management, Biostatistics, and external vendors to support data transfer, data reconciliation, and analysis needs for clinical studies.
• Build and maintain effective communications and strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including contract research organizations (CROs), specialty lab vendors, and external collaborators.
• Assist laboratory teams with writing and reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs), study reports, and publications related to clinical analyses, ensuring technical accuracy and clarity.
• Support the tracking and reporting of departmental metrics and operational performance indicators, as applicable.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential information, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory and ethical standards.
• Contribute to a collaborative, fast-paced team environment by actively participating in cross-functional projects and problem-solving initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on clinical sample management or clinical research operations experience in a biotech or healthcare setting.
• Proven experience working in a GCP/GLP environment with strict adherence to regulatory and quality standards.
• Strong background in biology, including familiarity with virology, molecular biology techniques such as PCR, and immunoassays such as ELISA.
• Experience with RNA and gene therapy-related research and sample handling.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in sample handling and processing, with consistent adherence to laboratory SOPs.
• Ability to exercise discretion and judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance changing priorities and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Track record of effective teamwork and collaboration in a cross-functional setting.
• Ability to communicate clearly with multiple parties and stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse functional groups and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve complex issues related to sample management, logistics, and process improvements.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience with animal research in a laboratory setting.
• Familiarity with clinical trial operations, including coordination of clinical trial supplies and interactions with biopsy surgical and laboratory sites.
• Experience supporting translational biology activities in cell and gene therapy programs.
• Ability to develop new training materials, procedures, and documentation to support evolving study and operational needs.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a strong desire to contribute to innovative medicines that improve patients’ lives.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with CROs, vendors, and external collaborators.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality data and documentation management.

Work Environment

This role is primarily based in a laboratory environment within a new, state-of-the-art facility focused on cell and gene therapy. The Research Associate I will spend most of the day working in the lab, including regular work with animals and biological samples, and will also spend some time at a desk performing data entry, documentation, and database management tasks. The setting is fast-paced and collaborative, with access to modern laboratory technologies and equipment. Team members follow established laboratory SOPs and regulatory guidelines, and work closely with cross-functional colleagues in an environment that emphasizes innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $29.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Schedule

This is a Contract, fully onsite position based in Columbus, OH.