Staff Scientist - Core Lab - DNA and Biospecimen

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Staff Scientist in Baylor College of Medicine’s Population Sciences Biorepository, based onsite in Houston, leads daily lab operations, oversees staff, and advances biobanking and translational research within the Advanced Technology Core. The role blends hands-on work with program administration, including budgeting input, procurement, SOPs, quality assurance, and supervision, plus coordinating with project investigators to design workflows. Strong communication, leadership, and a proven track record in DNA-based biospecimen work are essential. Requirements include a doctoral degree and at least three years of postdoctoral research; QBRS or solid biorepository experience is preferred. Tips for applicants: tailor your resume to biobanking and DNA extraction, highlight project management and SOP development, quantify impact, and show collaboration with PIs.

Summary

The Population Sciences Biorepository (PSB) is an Advanced Technology Core for the College and a critical component of the Integrated Biobanking Shared Resource in the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The PSB supports numerous funded research projects and contributes to general biobanking for several clinical centers/teams. This position will oversee day-to-day activities of laboratory staff in support of these projects and programs. The Staff Scientist should have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and should have extensive experience in biobanking and conduct of studies for molecular and translational research studies. The position will assist with administering the PSB, conduct specialized projects, develop and implement new technologies and protocols, and will provide guidance and technical support to all users of the Core.

Job Duties

• Participates in the development of project budgets.
• Participates in quality assurance process and reports.
• Coordinates procurements of equipment and supplies and manages all stages of the acquisition cycle.
• Interacts with vendors for establishment of service contracts and coordinates maintenance of equipment, as needed.
• Produces reports on laboratory supply inventory, laboratory expenses, and biospecmen inventory for multiple projects.
• Creates and maintains standard operating procedures for the laboratory, with input from the Laboratory Director and Principal Investigator.
• Participates in establishing procedures for management of the use of laboratory equipment including maintenance, repair, and inventory. Interprets rules, regulations, and policies for faculty and laboratory personnel and insures compliance with those policies.
• Performs personnel management functions and supervises technical support staff.
• Conducts laboratory research with Core Director and/or Principal Investigator. 
• Schedules weekly meetings with laboratory staff and with project investigators, as needed.
• Prepares study meeting agendas, participate in meetings, and track meeting minutes/notes.
• Develops and maintains procedures for ensuring biospecimen and data quality within the laboratory.
• Conducts consultation meetings with Project Investigators to discuss project needs and develops workflow plan to meet project needs.
• Performs research and development experiments for potential new technologies to be established in the laboratory.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree. Experience may not be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Three years of post doctoral research experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DNA extraction/quantification
• Relevant experience in biobanking/biospecimen science.
• Qualification in Biorepository Science (QBRS) or similar strongly preferred.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

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