Within the Genitourinary (GU) Clinical Research Laboratory (Eckstein Tissue Acquisition Laboratory) and Tissue Bank, the Laboratory Manager plays a critical role in supporting translational research efforts by ensuring investigators have access to high-quality, well-annotated human biospecimens.
The Laboratory Manager provides leadership for laboratory operations, biospecimen management, quality systems, and research collaborations that directly support scientific discovery and clinical research. The Laboratory Manager oversees laboratory personnel, ensures compliance with research and regulatory requirements, and advances operational excellence. The Laboratory Manager also serves as a key liaison among research, clinical, and laboratory stakeholders throughout UT MD Anderson.
The ideal candidate will have education and experience supporting clinical or translational research laboratories, biospecimen management, laboratory operations, personnel supervision, quality assurance programs, and regulatory compliance. Experience working with human biospecimens, clinical research protocols, laboratory information systems, and collaborative multidisciplinary teams is highly desirable.
Responsibilities
Laboratory Leadership & Supervision
• Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and develop laboratory personnel.
• Assign workloads and direct or assist staff to ensure efficient laboratory operations.
• Evaluate employee performance and manage disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Conduct regular staff meetings to communicate priorities and operational updates.
• Provide professional and technical training on research protocols, laboratory techniques, and biospecimen sampling methods.
• Coordinate educational and competency-based training activities.
• Manage the quality and timeliness of all Eckstein Tissue Acquisition Laboratory operations.
• Lead implementation of database systems and process automation initiatives.
Laboratory Operations & Quality Management
• Manage overall functions of the GU Clinical Research Laboratory, including patient encounters, specimen collection and processing, equipment management, inventory reconciliation, and protocol administration.
• Maintain laboratory information systems by identifying operational needs, recommending improvements, establishing priorities, testing enhancements, developing user manuals, training users, and maintaining security and confidentiality.
• Implement new programs, methods, instrumentation, procedures, and testing strategies through evaluation, validation, parallel testing, and performance monitoring.
• Provide oversight of all laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Train and supervise personnel on established laboratory methodologies and procedures.
• Evaluate and revise SOPs as necessary to maintain quality and compliance.
• Design and implement a comprehensive laboratory quality assurance system.
• Ensure laboratory services meet the needs of investigators, sponsors, collaborators, and departmental stakeholders.
• Perform biospecimen collections as operational needs require.
Research Support & Regulatory Compliance
• Consult with investigators, collaborators, industry representatives, and vendors regarding specimen collection and processing procedures.
• Assist Principal Investigators with protocol-specific biospecimen collection and processing design and review.
• Support development and implementation of protocol-specific laboratory workflows.
• Review clinical and laboratory research protocols to ensure biospecimen activities comply with applicable federal, institutional, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain expertise in clinical trial procedures, CFR requirements, GCP guidelines, ICH requirements, FDA regulations, and institutional policies.
• Maintain knowledge of Biospecimen Best Practices from NCI, OHRP, and ISBER.
• Ensure biospecimen requests comply with all applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Resolve operational and technical issues through collaboration with pathologists, laboratory leadership, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
• Serve as liaison among GU Medical Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Urology, Interventional Radiology, Institutional Tumor Bank, Clinical & Translational Research Center, Stanford Alexander Lab, Xenograft Core Lab, Bone Marrow Aspiration Clinic, Prostate Tissue Bank, and other collaborating groups.
• Provide oversight of tissue acquisition and biospecimen distribution activities.
• Develop processes that improve specimen tracking, documentation, protocol management, communication workflows, and project turnaround times.
• Evaluate requirements for additional laboratory support resources, including Clinical & Translational Research Center services.
• Monitor support performance through protocol start-up meetings, conference calls, sponsor interactions, and study team communications.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve operational performance and troubleshoot project-related issues.
• Communicate effectively with sponsoring agencies, pharmaceutical companies, external institutions, and collaborators through written, verbal, virtual, and in-person interactions.
Professional Development & Continuous Improvement
• Attend departmental meetings and institutional continuing education programs.
• Develop and deliver educational presentations for Clinical Research Group meetings and educational sessions as requested.
• Review industry-related products and services relevant to laboratory operations and biorepository activities.
• Evaluate opportunities for process improvement and expansion of biorepository services.
• Maintain professional knowledge through conferences, workshops, publications, networking activities, and professional society participation.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
EDUCATION:
Required: Bachelor's degree.
Preferred: Master's degree.
EXPERIENCE:
Required: Seven years experience in laboratory operations to include two years in a supervisory capacity.
Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
OTHER Requirements: Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
