Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Under the direction of the Group Leader of Biospecimen Core or designate, provides input into the development of experimental techniques and process improvements, and under limited supervision performs experiments following established laboratory procedures. Ensures the research objectives in the Biospecimen Core Group are met by coordinating day-to-day laboratory activities.

Duties/Accountabilities:

Ensures that the day to day activities in the Biospecimen Core Group meet research and operational objectives by performing typical duties such as the following:

1.    Provides input into the development of new procedures and experimental techniques at the request of the Group Leader, Biospecimen Core.

2.    Designs, tests and implements new processes under direction of the Group Leader and within the GSC Quality Management System.

3.    Optimizes methods and reagents for existing experimental and operational procedures to improve efficiency and scalability.

4.    Creates and revises Standard Operating Procedure documents for new procedures and corresponding LIMS protocols.

5.    Performs established laboratory procedures according to written protocols, such as: receipt of samples
(including clinical samples); DNA and RNA preparation and QC; blood processing; tissue procurements.

6.    Processes patient samples according to established procedures for clinical sequencing diagnostic tests.

7.    Provides training and demonstrates new work methods and procedures to GSC technologists and research assistants/associates at affiliated sites and provides sign-off on tissue procurement and processing procedures.

8.    Searches scientific literature for relevant reagents, techniques and applications.

9.    Provides significant contributions to the preparation and/or presentation of research papers.

10.    Performs general laboratory coordination duties such as maintenance of equipment, tracking supplies inventory and placing order for reagents.

11.    Liaises with vendors and collaborators on behalf of the department for lab-related procurement tasks, as directed by the Biospecimen Core Group Leader.

12.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    Graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Biochemistry.
•    Five (5) years of recent, related experience in a research laboratory.
OR
•    An equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the GSC Group Leaders.

Skills and Abilities

•    Experience with standard molecular biology techniques including DNA and RNA preparation and QC.
•    Experience with large-scale and high-throughput genomics technologies.
•    Experience with DNA fingerprinting protocols and physical mapping methodologies.
•    Demonstrated ability to accept responsibility and work independently.
•    Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in the performance of duties.
•    Demonstrated knowledge of related equipment and computer software.
•    Previous experience collaborating in the preparation and/or presentation of research.
•    Excellent ability to organize work and communicate effectively.
•    Demonstrated skills in CPR techniques.