Biospecimens and Genetics Data Manager

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

14d

About The Position

The Biospecimens and Genetics Data Manager gathers, analyzes, and curates research data, primarily involving human biofluids and genetics, as well as other clinical data. The position supports research through data quality control, ingestion of data from external collaborators, dataset preparation for researchers, data summaries, development of data best practices, and data-related operational activities such as biospecimen inventory and billing. It also prepares reports and visual materials to interpret and communicate data. The role is with the UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center, a multidisciplinary clinical research program investigating neurodegenerative diseases. Reporting to the Director of Research Technology, the Specimen Data Manager supports data management for the Biospecimen Program and its operations, including workflows for studies collecting human fluid specimens such as blood and spinal fluid. Work includes fluid-derived data quality control, data wrangling, metric generation, reporting, data ingestion, dataset generation, and development and maintenance of accurate, reproducible, documented, and maintainable programmatic scripts. The manager fulfills research data requests by identifying, preparing, integrating, validating, and delivering datasets from internal and external sources. The role investigates validation errors, discrepancies, and data-quality issues, identifies items requiring resolution, and escalates matters requiring direction to the Director of Research Technology. For specimen transfers, the manager queries repositories to identify samples, reconciles and validates specimen data, prepares datasets and supporting documentation, and coordinates the transfer and integration of data and results into Memory and Aging Center systems. The position collaborates with Biospecimen Core leadership and other stakeholders to ensure data work supports specimen operations and program needs. It also provides data-management and technical support to other Data Core initiatives and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related area and at least one year of experience, or equivalent experience or training.
Working knowledge of research functions.
Working skills in systems programming, scripting, and statistical software packages.
Working skills in analysis and consultation.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
Proven success managing and maintaining accurate data in a complex data environment.
Demonstrated proficiency in statistical analysis, data transformation and linking, data systems programming, and/or data schema design and documentation.
Knowledge of Freezerworks LIMS or similar systems.
Ability to multitask, stay organized, and work quickly in a dynamic environment with competing priorities.
Prior experience in a research environment, preferably in or closely with a wet lab.
Excellent Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
Proficiency in a programming language such as Python or R.
Experience with source control management, such as Git, and scripting best practices.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of research or clinical data-management experience.
Knowledge of HIPAA and best practices for securing protected health information.
Experience with relational databases or software tools for designing queries and reports.
Basic understanding of genetics and proteomics.

Responsibilities

Maintain and develop research data gathering, retrieval, and reporting systems, including extracting and reporting specimen billing data and creating and maintaining Excel worksheets.
Provide data feasibility input, such as cohort counts and specimen availability, to support study design and biospecimen requests.
Query data and prepare summaries and reports for internal and external researchers and clinicians, including requests outside the supported Biospecimen data meta-repository.
Implement or modify scripts and queries to create reproducible pipelines for data-return needs, and serve as a data power user in systems supporting biospecimen workflows.
Regularly request, receive, and integrate inventory and biospecimen-result datasets into central data repositories.
Quality-check specimen data for integrity of identifiers, dates, and values; identify, report, and help resolve discrepancies with specimen-team and laboratory staff.
Develop and maintain programmatic scripts with attention to accuracy, reproducibility, documentation, and maintainability.
Fulfill research data requests by identifying, preparing, integrating, validating, and delivering datasets from internal and external sources.
Investigate data validation errors, discrepancies, and data-quality issues; identify matters requiring resolution and escalate issues requiring direction to the Director of Research Technology.
Support specimen transfers by querying repositories to identify samples, reconciling and validating specimen data, preparing datasets and documentation, and coordinating data and results integration into center systems.
Collaborate with Biospecimen Core leadership and program stakeholders on domain-specific requirements and operational context.
Contribute data-management and technical support to other Data Core initiatives and projects as assigned.