Biobank Coordinator (Fixed Term Contract) in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Puerto Rico Science Technology & Research Trust
Job Description
Job Title: Biobank Coordinator
Reports to: Research Institute Core Labs Manager
Location / Hours: Based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with occasional travel to the Caribbean Primate Research Center facilities in Toa Baja (Sabana Seca Field Station) and Humacao (Punta Santiago and Cayo Santiago Field Station) / Full-Time
Type of Contract: Fixed Term Contract (through June 2027)
Overview of the Organization
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (“PRSTRT” or “Trust”) is a private non-profit organization created in 2004 to encourage and promote innovation, transfer, and commercialization of technology and creation of jobs in the technology sector. We contribute to Puerto Rico’s public policy for science, technology, research, and development. The Trust’s mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico's economy and its citizens’ well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science, technology, research, and public health. Our vision is that Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub.
Purpose
This role supports the NIH/National Institute on Aging U19 program “Causes, Consequences, and Modifiers of Heterogeneity in Aging in a Naturalistic Nonhuman Primate Model” (U19AG092410). This multi-PI program, led by Arizona State University, brings together investigators from universities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to study aging in the free-ranging rhesus macaque population of Cayo Santiago, the main site of the program's research activities, in partnership with the Caribbean Primate Research Center (CPRC) of the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus.
The Biobank Coordinator, under the supervision of the Research Institute Core Labs Manager, coordinates the day-to-day operations of CayoBank in Puerto Rico and ensures that biobank processes and records are consistent, reproducible, and verifiable for all participating institutions.
This is a full-time, grant-funded position. Continuation of employment is contingent upon the availability of federal funds, the terms of the subaward, and satisfactory performance.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
- Coordinates the day-to-day operations of CayoBank in Puerto Rico, including the receipt, processing, storage, retrieval, and distribution of the biospecimens collected by the U19 research teams for all participating institutions.
- Implements the CayoBank standard operating procedures (SOPs) for biospecimen collection, processing, aliquoting, cryopreservation, and storage, verifies their consistent application, and proposes updates to the CayoBank Core Leaders.
- Supports the collection, labeling, aliquoting, and preservation of tissues during post-mortem collection events including flash-freezing and formalin fixation, under the direction of the CPRC veterinary staff and the CayoBank Core Leaders.
- Ensures that every biospecimen and derived product is identified, barcoded, and registered in the CayoBank inventory system (eLab) with its storage location (freezer, rack, box, and position), and that it remains linked to its source metadata and chain-of-custody records.
- Processes blood and other biospecimens according to CayoBank SOPs, including plasma, serum, buffy coat, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), whole blood aliquots, and blood smears.
- Coordinates quality control of biospecimens, records, and storage conditions, and documents and reports deviations to the Research Institute Core Labs Manager.
- Monitors the ultra-low temperature freezers and liquid nitrogen storage used by CayoBank at the PRSTRT Research Institute and at the CPRC, maintains temperature logs, responds to equipment alarms, and coordinates preventive maintenance and contingency storage.
- Coordinates with CayoField (Core C) the receipt of field samples during the annual capture-and-release season, and with the Pathology Assistant and the CPRC veterinary staff the handoff of tissues from post-mortem collection events at the Sabana Seca Field Station.
- Coordinates biospecimen shipments to the participating institutions, including dry ice packaging, documentation, and tracking, in accordance with IATA and DOT regulations and the applicable material transfer agreements.
- Coordinates with CayoHub (Core D) the update and reconciliation of CayoBank records and metadata.
- Organizes the schedule and activities of the technical personnel and interns assigned to CayoBank and supports their training on CayoBank SOPs, in coordination with their respective supervisors.
- Prepares periodic operational reports on inventory, processing, quality control, and completed activities for the Research Institute Core Labs Manager and the CayoBank Core Leaders.
- Maintains the inventory of biobank supplies and consumables and informs the Research Institute Core Labs Manager of needs in a timely manner.
- Maintains an up-to-date, organized, and legible laboratory journal that records all procedures in detail.
- Manages implementation of assigned elements that support program goals.
- Remains knowledgeable and competent in all PRSTRT policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Comply with safety guidelines and procedures, including biosafety practices for the handling of nonhuman primate biospecimens and the occupational health requirements established by the CPRC for access to its facilities.
- Attends and participates in team meetings and in-services and assists peers and supervisors with tasks after completion of assigned work.
- Adheres to the PRSTRT attendance policy and begins work as scheduled.
Since our organization is going to change to meet the needs of new designations, you can expect, anticipate, and assume that your job description will change to meet this challenge.
Qualifications & Technical Job Requirements
- Knowledge of biosafety practices (BSL-2) and good documentation practices.
- IATA/DOT dangerous goods eshipping certification, or willingness to obtain it within six (6) months of hire.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in English and Spanish.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel.
- Well organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to follow procedures precisely, manage multiple tasks, and work both independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to complete the occupational health requirements for access to CPRC facilities, including tuberculosis screening and B virus awareness training.
- Ability to work under field and post-mortem collection conditions, to stand for extended periods, and to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Valid Puerto Rico driver's license and ability to travel regularly among the PRSTRT Research Institute, the Sabana Seca Field Station, and the Punta Santiago and Cayo Santiago facilities, including boat access to Cayo Santiago.
- Others as per organization's needs.
Experience & Educational Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, medical technology, or a related STEM field from an accredited college or university.
- A Master's degree in a related STEM field is preferred.
- At least two (2) years of experience in a biorepository, research laboratory, or clinical laboratory, including biospecimen processing and management. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Experience with biospecimen inventory or laboratory information management systems is preferred.
- Experience coordinating laboratory workflows or training laboratory personnel is preferred.
- Experience handling animal-derived biospecimens is desirable.
“The Trust is an equal opportunity employer; we strive to maintain a workplace atmosphere that is free from discrimination. To those ends, the Trust provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, social status, political affiliation, religion, physical or mental disability, veteran status, perceived or real domestic violence victim status, sexual harassment victim status, stalking victim status, and/or any other basis protected by law.”
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