Tissue Research Team Lead

Institute for Medical Research at the Durham VA Health Care System Tissue Research Team Lead PI: Dr. Stephen Freedland The Institute for Medical Research, (IMR), a private nonprofit organization that conducts cutting edge research for the Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System (DVAHCS), seeks to hire a Tissue-Focused Research Team Lead. The successful candidate would be employed in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Freedland, a nationally recognized leader in urology research. The Freedland Urology Research Group primarily examines urology and oncology disease in veterans with a particular focus on lifestyle, race, and risk stratification, and is supported by numerous federal grants as well as leading industry sponsors.The tissue-focused Research Team Lead will be involved with overseeing data abstraction and entry, specimen handling, and tracking recruitment for various clinical research studies. Oversight includes training and supervising study personnel involved in data abstraction and entry, monitoring progress of projects, contributing to project planning, the creation and maintenance of SOPs, and other study activities. These multiple functions require a significant degree of flexibility and independence to complete complex tasks.The incumbent to this position will have the opportunity to work with a highly productive and dynamic team of MDs, PhDs, and clinical trials personnel. The Research Team Lead will gain considerable knowledge of clinical research methods, managerial skills, and cancer biology.This position is hybrid in-person/remote with at least 3 days in office, dependent on clinic and lab schedule. This position is located in Durham, North Carolina. Candidates must be willing to relocate to North Carolina prior to start date. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:Critical Element 1: Assist with CTA and DT-related administrative tasks.

Screen for and hire clinical trials assistants and data technicians

Supervise clinic team’s clinical trials assistants and data technicians

Approve timecards, conduct performance reviews, troubleshoot technical problems, maintain calendars, respond to procedural questions

Coordinate staff learning experiences

Adhere to safety, privacy, and compliance regulations

Critical Element 2: Train and supervise CTAs and DTs completing data abstraction, sample processing, and lab maintenance.

Create and update training materials

Lead lab and project-specific training sessions such as laboratory maintenance, specimen processing and storage, and management of the LIMS program

Teach study personnel how to conduct data abstraction and entry into electronic databases

Teach study personnel how to complete interest and consent activities

Teach study personnel how to complete study specific procedures including but not limited to taking vitals, conducting research blood draws, conducting physical assessments, and interviewing participants

Teach study personnel how to process samples

Critical Element 3: Monitor project progression through data entry, sample collection, and study recruitment for select projects.

Coordinate project workflow to ensure projects are executed properly

Monitor team reviews and answer questions from clinical trials assistants about study procedures

Ensure data queries are resolved in a timely manner

Supervise patient blood draws and specimen processing conducted by CTAs

Assist with sample shipping, specimen receipt, and processing

Update team meeting agendas to reflect abstraction, recruitment progress, and specimen management

Assist in establishing appropriate timelines for completing study-related activities

Maintain patient confidentiality

Assist with monitoring visits conducted with CROs for sponsored studies

Critical Element 4: Specimen and Laboratory Maintenance

Monitor lab freezers, refrigerators, and storage cabinets

Be available for any after-hours lab related issues such as critical equipment malfunction

Manage laboratory by maintaining lab space and inventory, ordering study specific and general lab supplies, managing specimen bank, and supervising lab work

Assist with annual preventative maintenance tasks for laboratory equipment including pipettes, centrifuge, and freezers

Critical Element 4: Document and modify standard operating procedures for select projects.

Maintain meeting notes and agendas

Recommend new methods for collection and documentation of data

Maintain, modify, and create SOPs and reference guides for select projects

Critical Element 5: Provide insights, opinions, and data to supervisors for project planning.

Participate in regular planning meetings with team members

Provide status updates and estimates related to scheduling and work capacity to Clinical Research Coordinator

Prepare and maintain written copies of electronic records for rapid access

Work effectively as part of a team

Critical Element 6: Teamwork and Motivation:

Work effectively with other team members as part of a team

Complete tasks independently and manage personal workflow

Communicate diplomatically and professionally with administration, faculty, clinical and lab personnel, subjects, and other study team members

Assist other Freedland team members with research or miscellaneous tasks not directly related to the Clinic Team, when applicable

Non-critical Elements

Review electronic medical records for medical data and enter into electronic databases.

Spend 20% effort on other projects that benefit the group

Supervisory Controls

The Clinical Research Coordinator supervises the Tissue Research Team Lead. The incumbent is expected to meet deadlines on routine duties and to use his/her own initiative in completing work. Work may be reviewed by any member of the principal investigator’s research team. Qualifications and Experience:This position requires an organized, task oriented, deadline-sensitive individual with a Bachelor’s degree and one year of relevant experience. Applicants must deal diplomatically and professionally with administration, faculty, clinical and lab personnel, and subjects. Demonstrated leadership, professional initiative and teamwork abilities are required. Basic computer skills are required, with experience using MS Access and MS Excel preferred. This position requires an applicant who has at least one year of experience with data abstraction and study enrollment procedures. Prior experience with FDA regulations and HIPAA considerations is preferred. Candidates must be able to work in-office Monday-Friday, with an option of two remote days per week dependent on clinic and specimen delivery schedule. The salary for this position is $52,000 annually and is commensurate with experience and/or education.Applicants must have the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and manage the workflow of multiple projects, sit for long periods in front of computers, lift up to 40 pounds, bend and reach in order to locate specimens in deep freezers, communicate effectively via phone and email, and be fluent in English. Applicants must be comfortable working with human specimens including, but not limited to, blood, urine, stool, and saliva. The prior statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.Employees work for the Institute for Medical Research and will have an appointment at the Durham VA Medical Center. Please visit www.imr.org for information about employee benefits. Employees must undergo a federal background check and may be asked to complete a drug test and/or physical prior to hiring. We are an equal-opportunity employer.Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and activities that are required to perform the essential functions of the position include, but may not be limited to, as follows: Must be able to occasionally lift, pull and push a minimum of 40 pounds , stand for extended periods of time, sit for extended periods of time, squat, kneel, and stoop, regularly use fingers, hands for computer work. Supervisory Controls: The position of Tissue Research Team Lead is under the direct supervisor of the Clinical Research Coordinator . The prior statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Salary Range or Rate of Pay: $52,000 annually Status: Exempt Start Date: Expected start date will be 6- 8 weeks after the offer but is somewhat flexible and contingent upon completion and approval of VA paperwork. Employee Benefits: IMR offers a competitive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, short and long term disability insurance. IMR offers a matching 403b retirement savings plan, and paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Please visit https://imr.org/benefits/ for information about employee benefits. All IMR employees are required to obtain a Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS). As a result, the successful candidate must undergo a federal background check and may be subject to a physical and drug test. Participation in the vaccination programs may be required for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Without Compensation (WOC) appointments. We will not sponsor applicants for work visas. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and Veterans.Click here (https://imr.org/careers/) to apply to this position and others directly on the Institute for Medical Research Careers Page (https://imr.org/careers/) !