Manager, Biorepository
3 weeks ago
DescriptionThe Ragon Institute is a highly unique, innovative and collaborative research center at the forefront of biomedical science. Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, the Ragon vision is a bold one: to harness the power of the immune system to prevent and cure human disease on a global scale. This vision is pursued and advanced every day by a group of highly motivated individuals. The Ragon Institute, at every level, depends upon collaboration, compassion, dedication, and innovation. It is a results-oriented organization that seeks people who not only embrace these values, but who thrive in teams and want to work in a dynamic environment.In this newly developed role, the Biorepository Lead will oversee a safe, secure, and highly accessible environment for frozen sample storage and management in a brand new, state-of-the art 300,000 sq ft facility supporting over 30 faculty and their labs. Reporting to the Director of Centralized Research Services, the Biorepository Lead will play a key role in coordinating, managing, and tracking biospecimen collection and interacting with researchers requesting and receiving samples from the biorepository. The Biospecimen Repository Core (BRC) provides a safe, secure and highly accessible environment for frozen sample storage and management, including sophisticated equipment and multiple back-up systems. The BRC offers scientists the opportunity to store valuable materials without using their own limited research space.As this is a new centralized service, this position offers an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to build something from the ground up. Drawing on a broad understanding of research practices and policies and displaying a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, the Biorepository Lead will continually assess and direct a wide range of programmatic issues. They will have a highly visible and interactive role at the Institute and will be responsible for overall program oversight and operations of the Ragon Biorepository.PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Scientific and Operational Leadership· Conduct regular and well documented quality assurance and quality control of storage conditions and retrieval methods that impact sample viability.· Work closely with the Ragon IT Director and database team regarding software decisions, improving data storage and quality control of data accuracy.· Manages all research samples including categorizing, cataloguing, and storing in collaboration with the Lab Managers / PIs· Oversees the maintenance and quality control of all lab equipment inside the biorepository.· Writes, monitors, implements and updates Biorepository procedures and policies.· Manages multiple database systems for sample inventory and retrieval. · Oversees ultra-low freezers, including liquid nitrogen freezers within the biorepository· Works with the system that manages freezer alarm notifications.· Responds to all alarm notifications, including after hours, and move samples to back-up freezers as needed in bio repository · Collaborates with Biosafety office to ensure compliance with all Institute procedures and policies.· Coordinate and collaborate with the clinical and regulatory compliance team.· Ensures all Institute lab safety and compliance procedures are followed with in the biorepository· Participates in biospecimen or clinical-trial committees, such as the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). To assure that all stored samples have been signed by research subject and Consent Form have been collected.· Build strong collaboration with the Ragon Clinical Research Team and the Ragon Processing Lab. Partners with faculty to develop a sample storage plan for their study data to ensure redundancy to protect their valuable research samples.· Partners with other academic institutions and external collaborators to coordinate their specimen storage/retrieval needs, and corresponding billing for these services.· Follows up on all shipping and distribution of samples globally.· Other duties as assigned.Human Resources / Supervisory Oversight· Build and supervise a team of 1-3 full time employees, while promoting a team-work environment and developing professional staff interactions.· Determines departmental staffing needs and develop schedules accordingly · Responsible for all personnel functions including hiring, training, performance reviews and disciplinary actions within the biorepository.· Fosters a safe and engaging work environment for all department members.Financial Oversight· Oversees all financial functions, including revenue, billing, budgets and purchasing of lab equipment.· Collaborate with the Ragon Finance in creating long and short-term business plans and yearly budgets. · Monitor budgets to ensure fiscal solvency. · Report on individual core performance; investigate and provide resolution options to remedy variances from expected to actual business and performance indicators. · Annually conducts a periodic review with Research Administration and Finance team of the pricing structure to ensure compliant and proper pricing models and maximize cost recovery.Communications Oversight· Develop and disseminate communications around Ragon Core capabilities, pricing and availability.· Present programmatic and financial data analysis on core performance.· Possess excellence in communication skillsQualificationsKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:· Possess strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with staff at all levels of the organization including both technical and non-technical personnel.· Advanced knowledge of all current lab compliance and safety policies.· Sound judgement and critical thinking skills as samples are de-identified for clinical trials· Strong organization, decision making and management skills to oversee two of our most in demand and complex core facilities.· Strong interpersonal skills working with all disease centers across the Institute and external customers.· Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.· Excellent problem-solving skills to manage complex and creative protocol processing schematics.· Ability to ensure that protocols are safe and compliant.· Ability to build, grow, and evolve a high functioning team, inclusive of recruiting, developing, and retaining staff.· Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.· Ability to manage a constantly changing environment.· Adept at establishing trusted relationships at all levels across the organization and collaborating across multi-functional teams to drive efficiency, accountability, and improve quality.MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS: · Bachelor’s degree, in a scientific field. Advanced degree preferred.· 7-10 years of experience in a lab, including sample processing and storage, as well as protocol development and review.· 5-7 years of management experience.· Experience working with and maintaining ultra-cold freezers and liquid nitrogen handling· Demonstrated technical background for lab procedures and data collection.· Technically proficient and capable of performing all basic and complex lab procedures as indicated in sponsor provided lab manuals.· Must be available to respond to emergencies during non-standard business hours.Job Field: Research-ManagementOrganization: Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH)Schedule: Full-timeShift: Day JobEmployee Status: Regular
