Biobank Specialist

Reporting to the Provincial Manager, Healthy Future Sask, the Biobank Specialist is a provincial position responsible for the design, development, implementation, training, management, coordination, maintenance and execution of biosamples for Healthy Future Sask, Saskatchewan’s expansion of the CanPath study. The Biobank Specialist will play a major role in the development of a provincial biorepository of biosamples, developing processes, building standards, researching and implementing best practices and coordinating of collection, processing and storage of samples, with a particular focus on effective stewardship of biosamples for the study.

This role will lead strategic and operational plans for biosample planning, development and quality assurance activities. It will create standards, develop and maintain technical procedure and analysis for biosamples, and implement and maintain certification of a  provincial biobank.

This role will support all processes involved in biobanking and study centre, including the collection, processing, storage and the release and distribution of biosamples and data, as well as data and information management.

Specific Accountabilities:

Process Development and Maintenance:

• Works closely with the Director of Research Development & Strategy and the Provincial Manager, Healthy Future Sask to oversee development of a provincial biorepository of biosamples, determine immediate system requirements and identify strategies to meet future needs.

• Collaborates with the Director of Research Development & Strategy and the Provincial Manager, Healthy Future Sask to:

  • Provide relevant information regarding the development of Healthy  Future Sask;

  • Model effective access management approaches, which includes the collection, processing, storage and the release and distribution of  biosamples and data, as well as data and information management.

  • Communicate, problem solve and develop specific strategies for the coordination of collection, processing and storage of samples, with a  particular focus on effective stewardship of biosamples for the study.

• Develops and maintains documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that outline the protocols for biosample (blood and saliva) collection, processing (including timeframes, centrifugation and aliquoting), storage, and transportation.

• Researches, evaluates and recommends purchase of equipment  materials, supplies and other required resources for the collection, processing and storage of biosamples and associated resource costs, maintains records of inventory and orders supplies.

• Develops and maintains the processes related to the documentation and storage of biosample information (i.e. Laboratory Information Management System) and linkage to other participant information.

• Provides training and supervision to staff responsible for biosample processes; and

• Assesses and responds to access requests associated with release of biosamples.

• Manages Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), including configuration, user/role management, data import/export, data analysis, training, trouble-shooting and problem-solving.

Quality Assurance:

• Researches and reviews new versus existing methodologies to ensure that all processes and documentation meet the minimum requirements for CanPath cohorts and are consistent with any harmonized standards

• Constructs, calculates, documents and maintains quality indicators.

• Responsible for the certification and quality assurance/quality control  programs for all biosamples as required by local protocols, accreditation standards and other  required regulations.

• Researches, evaluates, implements and maintains preventative maintenance programs.

• Establishes protocols for equipment use and maintenance and maintains, troubleshoots and programs equipment according to such protocols.

• Reports on and responds to requests about biosample inventory; and

• Completes and responds to incident reports and improvement initiatives.

Technical Procedures and Analysis:

• Assesses sample integrity, maintains stability and prepares samples for transport, testing, and storage.

• Validates documentation to ensure samples correspond with the appropriate participants.

• Performs sample processing and extraction according to established  standards, correlates results, and evaluates the validity of results.

• Organizes and prioritizes sample processing and storage based on established guidelines and standards.

• Stores samples in accordance with all applicable regulations and sample retention times.

• Maintains and audits sample inventory.

• Cleans instruments, equipment and work area and disposes of  biohazardous waste as per department policies and procedures; and

• Maintains a contamination free environment.

Training:

• Utilizes current research as a basis for program planning and development of standards.

• Collaborates and contributes to all aspects of the study cohort development

• Participates in ongoing professional learning activities.

Communication and Liaison:

• Participates in the CanPath Biosample Standing Committee and other related internal or external working groups or committees as needed.

• Attends various meetings and serves on national committees as  representative of the Saskatchewan cohort of CanPath.

• Communicates with departmental staff to organize and ensure comprehensive biosample process development and maintenance

• Collaborates with national and international organizations to optimize 

  biosample processes.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Science, with at least 3 years of experience  working in a laboratory and/or research setting and 1 year experience with the development of, or on-going operations of, a biorepository; OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, with at least 5 years of experience  working in a laboratory and/or research setting and 1 year experience with the development of, or on-going operations of, a biorepository.

• Experience working in laboratory research and innovation.

• Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)