Job Details

Sr Laboratory Specialist

Position Number: 6441300
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Sr Laboratory Specialist

Job Summary

The Cellular Translational Research Core (CTRC) seeks a Senior Laboratory Specialist 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.

This position will serve as the staff lead of the CTRC's Biorepository. The Biorepository Lead will work closely with the CTRC Lab Director to manage projects and staff in the biorepository. This will include hiring and training other staff members; devising, refining, and implementing new processes, and overseeing the day to day operations of the biorepository.

All members of this team, include Biorepository Lead, split their time between 1) hands-on work in our cryogenic storage facility, retrieving, relocating, transporting, and shipping biospecimens to internal investigators and external institutions and 2) 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 onboarding, the Biorepository Lead 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. 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
Biorepository Leadership

In collaboration with the CTRC leadership, manages projects and staff in the biorepository. Helps prioritize and address customer requests. Executes projects with minimal supervision.
Directs the day to day operations of the biorepository, including hiring and training other biorepository staff members.
Provides feedback to CTRC leadership regarding policies, workflows, and issues.
Devises, refines and implements new techniques or modifies existing processes by utilizing advanced knowledge.

Biorepository Maintenance

Oversees freezer maintenance schedules, including refilling nitrogen tanks and monitoring nitrogen levels.
Performs annual defrosting of -20C and -80C freezers to prevent excessive frost and ice buildup.
Serves as primary on-call contact for freezer notifications (sent via a smartphone-based app that delivers real-time alerts), and is first responder for freezer malfunctions or emergencies (which could occur outside normal business hours). Arranges with other CTRC staff to cover call if unavailable.

Specimen Management

Manages sample requests by organizing, transporting, delivering, or shipping samples to their intended destinations.
Must have a vehicle to be able to transport samples between freezers in research park and the health campus.
Enforces and follows a high standard of quality control is essential. Accurate labeling, sample identification, and tracking must be maintained at 100%.
Handles precious and irreplaceable biospecimens with technical precision and meticulous care to avoid compromising sample integrity.
Leads internal and external sample distributions and shipments, using Cryoport, World Courier, and FedEx, while ensuring accuracy and proper sample handling. Prints shipping labels using the SMART shipping system. Transports and delivers samples to other university core labs for quality control assays.

Data Systems & Billing

Imports legacy data and catalogs every cryobox in the biorepository into OpenSpecimen.
Organizes boxes by Principal Investigator (PI) or project, managing naming conventions, container movement, and organization.
Develops collection and distribution protocols for each project in collaboration with other CTRC staff.
Compiles and validates monthly billing reports generated by OpenSpecimen.

Customer Service

Professionalism and excellent customer service are expected, given the facility's close interaction with numerous investigators.
The Sr. Lab Specialist must be able to clearly and professionally communicate with customers when needed, listening carefully, responding knowledgeably, and providing timely and accurate information.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:Nearly Continuously: Office and lab 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).Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be requiredNearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting.Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific discipline or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), plus four years of related full-time laboratory experience required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Must have a vehicle to be able to transport samples between campus locations.
Must have strong computer skills and basic proficiency in using sample tracking software.
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.
A solid understanding of research ethics is required

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN42731B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Arranged with Supervisor
Department: 01709 - CCTS - PRECISION MEDICINE
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $52,400 - $62,400 depending on experience
Close Date: 9/29/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/186695