Assistant Director for Biofluids Core

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

We seek an experienced, strategic leader to oversee clinical operations for biospecimen collection in support of cancer clinical research. This role is responsible for managing the operational, scientific, and regulatory oversight of biospecimen collection and other preanalytical biobanking activities, including the collection and handling of blood, tissue, saliva, stool, bone marrow specimens, and research-related EKGs. The individual will work closely with the Human Tissue Resource Center (HTRC) and the clinical trial operations teams, including Clinical Research Managers, Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), and Data Managers (DMs), to ensure execution of biospecimen-related protocol requirements across the full lifecycle of oncology clinical trials. This role will provide leadership for the CTSO Biospecimen Core, overseeing both research laboratory operations and associated administrative functions, while ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations. The position requires strong operational leadership, research oversight, and personnel management, including responsibility for collecting biospecimens, ensuring protocol compliance, managing fee-for-service operations, and developing new procedures to support evolving research needs.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• A Master's Degree in a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience operating and managing core facilities and research labs.
• 7-10 years of independent policy-based decision-making.
• Experience directing or managing a growing team.
• Experience presenting at conferences and meetings.
• Strong communication, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Adaptability.
• Problem-solving.
• Dedication to the team mission.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive data with discretion.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Familiarity with graphing software (SigmaPlot and GraphPad).

Responsibilities

• Oversees the development of service level agreements with HTRC that outline the sample processing and handling requirements, as well as other research-related activities that the CTSO Biospecimen Core will be responsible for overseeing.
• Develops, implements, and optimizes standard operating procedures, workflows, and technical processes to improve operational efficiency and research quality.
• Manages and mentors research staff, including hiring, performance management, staff development, and oversight of method development and laboratory operations.
• Collaborates with financial services to establish and manage fee structures and user fees for laboratory and biobanking services.
• Reviews clinical trial protocols for feasibility and billing intensity scoring.
• Serves as the key collaborator with HTRC to help in inspections, safety audits, and compliance monitoring activities.
• Prepares and reviews data compliance reports for leadership, focusing on protocol deviations/violations and planned corrective and preventive action plans.
• Develops goals, operating procedures, and clinical research guidelines aligned with UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center strategy (UCCC), and institutional priorities.
• Adapts UCCC priorities and resources to address operational challenges and support evolving clinical research demands.
• Manages research professionals and support staff involved with planning, monitoring, and compliance aspects of research projects.
• Advises other researchers on long-range plans for research projects.
• Develops goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines for research activity based on department strategy.
• Manages the laboratory facilities, including the purchase of new equipment and the maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment.
• Reviews research of others, and may conduct own research, in area of expertise.
• Edits and approves articles, reports and manuscripts.
• Presents research findings at meetings and/or conference.
• Manages the research of processes in clinical or non-clinical settings.
• Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement
• Paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree