Research Coordinator

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center seeks a Research Coordinator to support daily laboratory operations and administrative tasks, including purchasing, inventory, specimen handling, and record-keeping.

You will assist the Director and Program Project Manager, coordinate calendars, liaise with collaborators, and ensure accurate documentation across laboratories to sustain ongoing research programs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years supporting general research laboratory activities and admin tasks.
• 2+ years in a laboratory administration role.
• Experience ordering and receiving vendor items and coordinating with vendors.
• Experience maintaining laboratory inventories and supporting general laboratory operations.
• Experience tracking shipments and documentation of outside specimens.

Responsibilities

• Support general research laboratory activities and routine administrative functions.
• Order laboratory supplies; monitor status; receive items; follow up with vendors.
• Maintain laboratory supply inventory and organize storage.
• Monitor receipt, documentation, routing, storage, and shipment of specimens and materials.
• Enter and maintain data in Microsoft databases and approved systems.
• Provide admin support to Director and Program Project Manager; maintain records.
• Coordinate Directors calendar and meetings; arrange rooms/virtual meetings.
• Organize lab maintenance and service requests; liaise with internal departments and vendors.

Skills

Administrative support

Calendar coordination

Vendor management

Inventory control

Data entry / database management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological sciences or closely related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database management systems

Job description

ABOUT US

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI) is Los Angeles County's preeminent independent, not-for-profit biomedical research hub, excelling in transforming scientific breakthroughs into practical therapies. With a $90 million annual budget, TLI is home to over 150 investigators and 500 staff, advancing 600 projects in areas such as Infection and Immunity, Cancer, and Women's Health. Founded in 1952, the Institute continues to train physician-scientists and manage healthcare programs for 60,000 underserved families throughout South Los Angeles.

SUMMARY

The Research Coordinator supports the daily research and administrative operations of the laboratory. The position coordinates purchasing, vendor orders, supply inventory, specimen receipt and shipping, laboratory database records, scheduling, communications, and general laboratory maintenance. The Research Coordinator provides administrative support to the Director and Program Project Manager and facilitates research-related interactions with collaborators within the Institute and outside centers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support general research laboratory activities and routine administrative functions.
• Order laboratory supplies and materials; monitor order status; receive vendor items; verify deliveries; and follow up with vendors regarding delays, discrepancies, returns, or other order issues.
• Maintain laboratory supply inventory, monitor stock levels, organize storage areas, and coordinate replenishment to support daily operations.
• Monitor and coordinate the receipt, documentation, routing, storage, and shipment of specimens and research materials received from or sent to outside centers.
• Enter, update, and maintain accurate laboratory item, specimen, inventory, and research data in Microsoft databases and other approved systems.
• Provide administrative support to the Director and Program Project Manager, including maintaining records, preparing routine documents, monitoring follow-up items, and assisting with program activities.
• Answer telephone calls, route inquiries, and deliver accurate and timely messages to laboratory members.
• Coordinate the Directors calendar and meetings, including scheduling, invitations, room or virtual-meeting arrangements, materials, and related communications.
• Organize general laboratory maintenance activities, service requests, shared-space needs, and communications with internal service departments and external vendors.
• Maintain organized administrative, purchasing, inventory, shipping, specimen, and laboratory records in accordance with established procedures.
• Coordinate research-related communications and interactions with collaborators within the Institute and at external research centers.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of laboratory and research program needs.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences or a closely related field required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• More than three (3) years of experience supporting general research laboratory activities and related administrative tasks.
• More than two (2) years of experience in a laboratory administration position.
• Experience ordering, monitoring, and receiving vendor items and communicating with vendors regarding laboratory orders.
• Experience maintaining laboratory supply inventories and supporting general laboratory operations and maintenance activities.
• Experience monitoring and documenting the receipt and shipment of outside specimens or research materials.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft applications and databases used to manage laboratory items, specimens, inventory, and research data.
• Demonstrated ability to provide administrative support, coordinate calendars and meetings, handle telephone calls and messages, and maintain accurate records.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow tasks through completion.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work professionally with laboratory personnel, leadership, vendors, and internal and external research collaborators.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with laboratory purchasing, inventory, specimen-tracking, shipping, or research-administration systems.
• Experience supporting a research director, principal investigator, program manager, or multidisciplinary research team.
• Experience coordinating with institutional departments, vendors, and external research centers.

Background and Health Clearance Required

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Drug-Free Workplace