Research Assistant/ Laboratory Technician

Headlands Research, Inc.; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

HSA & FSA

PTO & holidays

401(k) match

Job summary

Headlands Research, Inc. is seeking a Research Assistant/Laboratory Technician for our Brownsville, TX site. This full-time onsite role supports daily lab operations, phlebotomy, specimen processing, and compliance with regulatory standards.

You will work closely with coordinators and clinical staff to ensure efficient visits and high-quality data. The position offers a benefits package including health insurance, HSA/FSA, PTO, and a 401(k) with company match.

Qualifications

• Certified phlebotomist within the state of Texas required.
• Experience with phlebotomy, specimen collection, and processing preferred.
• Familiarity with study protocols, eCRFs, and basic lab documentation beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Own the Lab Operations: lead day-to-day lab activities, maintain a clean and inspection-ready lab, manage inventory across studies.
• Perform phlebotomy, specimen collection, processing, and point-of-care tests; assist with patient visits and study procedures.
• Drive accuracy and compliance: handle specimen shipping per IATA, maintain logs, ensure GCP/OSHA/HIPAA compliance and audit readiness.
• Be a key partner to the research team: support study visits and broader research activities as needed.

Skills

Certified phlebotomist

Venipuncture proficiency

Lab data entry

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Research Assistant/ Laboratory Technician

At Headlands Research, we are dedicated to enhancing clinical trial delivery within our communities. As a leading network of advanced clinical trial sites, we leverage cutting-edge technology and exceptional support services to broaden outreach and participation. Founded in 2018, our rapidly growing company currently operates 20+ sites across the US and Canada, with plans for further expansion.

Are you an experienced clinical research professional with a passion for advancing medicine? Join a leading, integrated clinical research network dedicated to high-quality data, patient-centered care, and innovation in clinical trials.

We’re seeking a Research Assistant/ Laboratory Technician for our clinical research site located in Brownsville, TX.

Type: Regular Full-time Employee
Schedule: Mondays through Fridays, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Onsite in Brownsville, TX (no capabilities for remote or hybrid work)
Reports to: Site Director
Benefits: Our benefits package for full-time employees includes health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Paid Time Off (PTO), a variety of disability, accident, and life insurance options, as well as many more.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay + annual performance incentives
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays
• A mission-driven culture focused on advancing medicine and improving patient outcomes

You’ll be part of a growing, mission-driven organization that values its people. At our core, we’re committed to bringing innovative medical treatments to patients faster—while creating an environment where employees thrive. If you’re passionate about clinical research and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Own the Lab Operations: Take the lead on day-to-day lab activities, ensuring everything runs smoothly, safely, and on schedule.Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready lab environment.Manage lab inventory, supplies, and kit preparation across multiple studies.
• Perform & Expand Clinical Skills: Perform phlebotomy, specimen collection, and processing (centrifuging, aliquoting, labeling). Conduct point-of-care testing (e.g., urine drug screens, pregnancy tests). Assist with patient visits, including vital signs, ECGs, and study-related procedures. Support more advanced clinical activities over time, including infusion monitoring under supervision.
• Drive Accuracy & Compliance: Handle specimen shipping (IATA guidelines) and maintain detailed logs and documentation. Record lab data accurately in electronic systems (eCRFs, CRIO, etc.). Ensure compliance with GCP, OSHA, HIPAA, and study protocols. Support audit readiness and quality control efforts.
• Be a Key Partner to the Research Team: Work closely with coordinators, investigators, and clinical staff to support study visits. Help ensure each patient visit runs efficiently and according to protocol. Step in to support broader research activities when needed.

Requirements

• Certified phlebotomist within the state of Texas required
• Highly proficient in venipuncture with the ability to independently perform draws and effectively navigate challenging sticks
• Experience working with diverse patient populations; geriatric experience [[a plus/required]]
• Familiarity with medical terminology and basic laboratory procedures
• Comfort working with lab equipment, documentation, and regulated processes
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once
• Proficiency with basic computer systems (Excel, Outlook, EMRs, or similar tools)
• A team-first mindset with a willingness to jump in wherever needed
• Strong attention to detail, time management, and ability to work in a fast‑paced, regulated environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills—you’ll be interacting with participants, providers, and sponsors
• Passion for improving patient outcomes through research
• Clinical research experience
• Experience handling specimen processing, shipping, or lab inventory
• Interest in growing into a Clinical Research Coordinator or lab leadership role

Headlands Research will never ask a candidate for personal identifiable information (date of birth, social security number, driver’s license information, etc) via email or messenger tools, or for a financial deposit of any kind.

Headlands Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Need Assistance?

Headlands Research is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail] for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Headlands Research’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.