Biorepository Lab Technician

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative institution is looking for a meticulous Biorepository Technician to manage a vast collection of biospecimens. This role involves both hands-on work in a cryogenic facility and detailed data management using specialized software. Ideal for organized individuals who thrive in a lab environment, this position offers a stable, full-time opportunity to contribute to meaningful research. If you have a background in biology and a passion for maintaining sample integrity, this could be the perfect fit for you. Join a collaborative team dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and making a real impact in the field.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific field or equivalent experience required.
• Skilled in laboratory equipment and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Manage and catalog biospecimens with precision and care.
• Ensure proper handling and shipping of irreplaceable samples.

Skills

Laboratory Techniques

Data Entry

Sample Handling

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology

Certification in Animal Care

Tools

OpenSpecimen

Cryoport

Liquid Nitrogen Handling Equipment

Job description

Biorepository Lab Technician

Job Summary

The Cellular Translational Research Core (CTRC ) seeks a Biorepository Technician with a strong sense of order and a passion for organizing complex systems. This unique role centers around managing a large and growing collection of cryopreserved biospecimens, currently numbering over 500,000 samples.

Approximately half of this position involves hands-on work in our cryogenic storage facility, retrieving, relocating, transporting, and shipping biospecimens to external institutions. The other half requires detailed, accurate data entry and cataloging within OpenSpecimen, our biobanking Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS ).

This is a challenging yet rewarding position. Many of the biospecimens are irreplaceable and have significant historical or research value. Preservation is paramount. The ideal candidate will be meticulous, dependable, and understand the critical importance of proper sample handling and accurate recordkeeping.

After an initial two-month training period, the technician is expected to take ownership of the role, demonstrate initiative, and drive their work forward with minimal supervision. If you're someone who prefers autonomy over micromanagement, this could be an excellent fit.

This role is especially well-suited for individuals seeking a stable, full-time position for a year or more, for example, recent graduates, lab professionals between research roles, or those considering graduate school in the near future. If you're organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy working in a laboratory environment with real impact, we encourage you to apply and become part of our collaborative and mission-driven team.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Must handle precious and irreplaceable biospecimens carefully to avoid compromising sample integrity.

• Must be capable of lifting and handling freezer towers (~25 lbs) and safely moving liquid nitrogen (LN2) supply tanks (>200 lbs) using appropriate tools and transport equipment.

• Should be familiar with the safe handling of liquid nitrogen and other cryopreservation hazards.

• Must have competent computer skills and basic proficiency in using sample tracking software.

• Must demonstrate technical precision and meticulous care when working with frozen samples.

• A high standard of quality control is essential. Accurate labeling, sample identification, and tracking must be maintained at 100%.

• Perform tests and procedures using sophisticated laboratory equipment.

• Follow established protocols, with the ability to identify key steps and modify methods as necessary to meet the lab's needs.

• Professionalism and excellent customer service are expected, given the facility's close interaction with numerous investigators.

• A solid understanding of research ethics is required.

• While direct customer interaction is limited, the technician must be able to clearly and professionally communicate with customers when needed-listening carefully, responding knowledgeably, and providing timely and accurate information.

• Import legacy data and catalog every cryobox in the biorepository into OpenSpecimen. Organize boxes by Principal Investigator (PI) or project, managing naming conventions, container movement, and organization. Help develop collection and distribution protocols for each project in collaboration with the CTRC team.

• Assist Directors with both internal and external sample distributions and shipments, using Cryoport, World Courier, and FedEx, while ensuring accuracy and proper sample handling.

• Prepare shipping containers and samples for outgoing CTRC requests, including those related to CTSI quality control efforts.

• Print shipping labels using the SMART shipping system.

• Transport and deliver samples to other Core labs for quality control assays.

• Manage sample requests for the SPRINT study by organizing, transporting, delivering, or shipping samples to their intended destinations.

• Assist Directors with freezer maintenance schedules, refilling nitrogen tanks, and monitoring nitrogen levels.

• Help Directors compile and review monthly billing reports generated by OpenSpecimen.

• Provide feedback to Directors regarding policies, workflows, and processing issues.

• Perform annual thawing of -20°C and -80°C freezers to prevent excessive frost and ice buildup.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:Nearly Continuously: Office environment.Often: Infectious disease, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids), hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals).Seldom: Exposure to animals.Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be requiredNearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting.Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or other scientific disciplines in a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required; knowledge of complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials and substances. Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, ability to create and analyze statistical calculations and prepare reports required; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required. OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification may be required by some departments.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

This position assists senior laboratory personnel in planning methods and techniques. Work requires exercising independent judgment and basic theoretical knowledge of the applicable science. This position may include limited supervision of entry-level laboratory personnel, who may refer sensitive or unusual situations to the incumbent. If incumbent cannot find a resolution, the situation is referred to the supervisor.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN41773B

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Work Schedule Summary: Will be arranged with the Supervisor

Department: 01709 - CCTS - PRECISION MEDICINE

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $16.00 HR - $19.00HR

Close Date: 7/1/2025

Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6201751

Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

https://www.jobelephant.com/