Project Lead, Biospecimen Operations

**Position: Project Lead, Biospecimen Operations**
**Site: MaRS Centre, Toronto**
**Department: Ontario Health Study**
**Reports To: Senior Program Manager**
**Salary: Commensurate with level of experience**

**Hours: 35 hours/week**
**Status: Full-time, Permanent**

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a Project Lead, Biospecimen Operations to join the Ontario Health Study (OHS) team.
Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the Project Lead, Biospecimen Operations will be responsible for day-to-day operational activities related to the biospecimens collected by the Ontario Health Study. This includes liaising with researchers, vendors, and third-party service providers, ensuring the accuracy of data in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), monitoring quality control measures, and ensuring documentation and standard operating procedures are up-to-date. The Project Lead, Biospecimen Operations will also support planning, implementing and evaluating biospecimen collection initiatives.
Fully vaccinated is defined as having received all of the required doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date.
To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.
**The responsibilities include**:

- Liaise with researchers to provide information about accessing OHS biospecimens. This includes providing general information about how OHS biospecimens were collected, processed and stored, and the availability and anticipated timelines to receive OHS biospecimens;
- Work with the biorepository to coordinate pulling and shipping biospecimens;
- Manage relationships with third-party service providers for sample preparation (e.g., DNA extraction, sub-aliquoting samples). Prepare the scope of work and review quotes provided by potential service providers;
- Assess biospecimen-related data returned to the Study (e.g., volume and concentration of extracted DNA), and incorporate it into existing databases; and
- Update the LIMS with the most up-to-date information about the Study’s biospecimen collection.

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Support the implementation and maintenance of a Quality Management System: *
- Oversee periodic audits of biospecimens at the two biorepositories storing OHS samples;
- Reconcile data inconsistencies as needed;
- Draft or update biospecimen-related documentation (e.g., standard operating procedures, summary reports of internal projects);
- Maintain the Study’s compliance with the registered Biobank Certification Program; and
- Support the development, optimization, and maintenance of the LIMS.

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Other: *
- Support the planning, implementation and evaluation of biospecimen collection initiatives (e.g., collecting additional blood samples from participants);
- Support biospecimen-related requests from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath), specifically participating in a pan-Canadian committee committed to harmonizing biospecimen-related processes;
- Occasional extended hours or some travel may be required; and
- Other duties as directed.

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Qualifications: *
- At minimum, completion of a bachelor’s degree in Life or Health Sciences or recognized equivalent required;
- At minimum, over 3 years of practical and related experience;
- Familiarity with laboratory operations specific to the collection, processing and storage of biological samples required;
- Demonstrated ability in project planning and management;
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required;
- Experience in the development of SOPs and protocols, and documentation of quality control and quality assurance systems with regard to laboratory biospecimens strongly preferred;
- Experience with sample management software such as Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or Laboratory Inventory Systems (LIS);
- Strong written and oral communications skills are mandatory;
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint);
- Must be able to work independently to meet demanding timelines; and
- Highly effective interpersonal and teamwork skills.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent