Research Laboratory Quality Systems Specialist

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 54,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wan Influenza Systems Biology Laboratory at the University of Missouri-Columbia is seeking a Research Laboratory Quality Systems Specialist to lead and continuously improve laboratory quality systems for influenza and emerging infectious diseases.

Collaborate with PIs, staff scientists, and managers to standardize practices, ensure data integrity, and maintain compliance with institutional policies and sponsor requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience with at least 3 years of applicable experience.
• Experience with ISO/IEC 17025 quality management principles and lab compliance.
• Experience in data quality control and analysis using R and/or Python.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with best practices and sponsor requirements.
• Plan and conduct internal quality audits; lead CAPA programs and root cause analyses.
• Establish data integrity programs and create dashboards to support reproducibility and decision making.

Skills

Quality management

SOP development

Data integrity

Auditing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

R

Python

QMS software

Job description

Job Description

The Wan Influenza Systems Biology Laboratory seeks a highly motivated Research Laboratory Quality Systems Specialist to lead the development, implementation, oversight, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory quality systems supporting research in influenza and emerging infectious diseases.

Hiring Department

Life Sciences Center

Job Description

The Wan Influenza Systems Biology Laboratory seeks a highly motivated Research Laboratory Quality Systems Specialist to lead the development, implementation, oversight, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory quality systems supporting research in influenza and emerging infectious diseases.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator, staff scientists, laboratory personnel, and operational managers to establish standardized laboratory practices, enhance research reproducibility, ensure data integrity, and maintain compliance with institutional policies, sponsor requirements, and laboratory quality standards.

Serving as the laboratory’s quality lead, this position is responsible for developing and managing the laboratory Quality Management System (QMS), quality assurance programs, documentation systems, data integrity initiatives, and continuous quality improvement efforts. The Quality Systems Manager works closely with the Program Manager, Laboratory Manager, Sample Operations and Inventory Manager, Automation Engineer, Human Study Coordinator, Animal Study Coordinator, and research personnel to ensure research activities are conducted using standardized, well-documented, and reproducible processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the laboratory Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with laboratory best practices, ISO/IEC 17025 principles, NAHLN guidelines, institutional policies, and sponsor requirements. Responsibilities include SOP lifecycle management, document control, records management, quality documentation, metric development, and process improvement initiatives.
• Plan and conduct internal quality audits; coordinate external assessments; and lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs, nonconformance investigations, root cause analyses, risk assessments, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Develop and oversee laboratory data quality and integrity programs by establishing quality control procedures, monitoring data completeness and consistency, performing quality analyses using R and/or Python, and creating dashboards that support research reproducibility, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making.
• Monitor sample quality documentation, chain-of-custody records, metadata completeness, protocol adherence, and quality checkpoints throughout the sample lifecycle using laboratory information management systems (e.g., Shiny Lab). Collaborate with laboratory leadership and research personnel to identify, investigate, and resolve quality issues that may affect research integrity.
• Conduct periodic reviews of laboratory notebooks, electronic laboratory records, metadata, and supporting research documentation to verify completeness, traceability, compliance with SOPs, and data integrity. Partner with investigators, study coordinators, and regulatory personnel to ensure documentation supporting IRB, IBC, IACUC, biosafety, and sponsor requirements is complete, consistent, and audit-ready. This position provides quality oversight and documentation review but does not serve as the primary owner of regulatory submissions.
• Develop and deliver training programs for laboratory personnel on quality systems, SOP implementation, documentation standards, laboratory best practices, data integrity, research reproducibility, and continuous improvement methodologies. Foster a culture of quality, accountability, consistency, and continuous learning throughout the laboratory.
• Prepare quality metrics, management review reports, audit summaries, performance indicators, and quality improvement recommendations to support laboratory leadership, sponsor reporting, accreditation efforts, and strategic decision-making.

Shift

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 quality management principles, AAVLD/NAHLN quality requirements, and research compliance processes.
• Experience performing data quality control, validation, and analysis using R and/or Python.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines while effectively communicating with principal investigators, collaborators, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Familiarity with biosafety, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance requirements in a research or laboratory environment.
• Experience developing, maintaining, or supporting Quality Management Systems (QMS), including quality documentation and compliance activities.
• Knowledge of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), change control, deviation investigations, risk assessments, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience preparing quality metrics, annual quality reports, management review reports, or other quality performance documentation.
• ISO/IEC 17025 internal auditor training, QMS training, or the ability to obtain such training within six months of hire.
• Project management training or certification (e.g., CAPM, PMP, or equivalent).
• Experience working in research, diagnostic, public health, or other regulated laboratory environments.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $53,976.00 - $96,054.40 per year

Grade: GGS 010

University Title: Senior Research Project Analyst

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Application, resume, and cover letter

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Other Information

Is this at Bond Life Sciences Center?

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About Us

The Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri is a dynamic hub where groundbreaking research meets real-world impact. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, our state-of-the-art facility brings together experts in diverse fields—engineers, cancer biologists, plant scientists, and IT specialists—all working towards a common goal: to save lives, reduce costs, and enhance everyday life for Missourians and people around the globe.

Our Mission

We are committed to transforming scientific discoveries into actionable solutions. Our innovative research not only addresses pressing challenges in human and animal health, the environment, and agriculture, but it also translates into meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals everywhere. We also strive to share our findings with the public, ensuring that our discoveries resonate far beyond the lab in a language anyone can understand through our blog, Decoding Science, events for the public, social media and more.

Why Join Us?

At the Bond Life Sciences Center, you’ll be part of a vibrant community dedicated to making a difference. Our collaborative environment not only supports innovative research but also ensures that our discoveries lead to tangible benefits for society. Work in an award-winning facility designed for creativity and impact and contribute to a mission that truly changes lives.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.