Lab Technician

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a meticulous Biorepository Technician to manage a vast collection of cryopreserved biospecimens. This role involves hands-on work in a cryogenic storage facility, ensuring the integrity of irreplaceable samples while performing accurate data entry in a Laboratory Information Management System. The ideal candidate will thrive in an autonomous environment, demonstrating initiative and precision in a laboratory setting. This position is perfect for recent graduates or lab professionals looking for a stable, full-time opportunity with real impact in research and healthcare.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Professional Development

Flexible Hours

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Manage and catalog biospecimens, ensuring sample integrity.
• Perform data entry and maintain accurate records in OpenSpecimen.

Skills

Laboratory Techniques

Data Entry

Sample Handling

Cryopreservation

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Biology

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry

Tools

OpenSpecimen

Cryoport

FedEx Shipping Systems

Job description

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

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 required

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting.

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.

Type

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please indicate your knowledge and/or level of experience in complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials and substances:
  • None
  • Minimal
  • Moderate
  • Extensive

Required DocumentsOptional Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]