Biobanking Coordinator

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated biobanking coordinator/research assistant to join the Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy (CoE CIT) Translation Laboratory, under the direction of A/Prof Jane Oliaro. The successful candidate will join the Translation Laboratory team, which conducts highly translational cellular immunotherapy research. The lab collaborates closely with the Cancer Research Division and with the cell manufacturing company, Cell Therapies Pty. Ltd., to develop and test novel cellular immunotherapies for patients with cancer.

The role will primarily involve the management and processing of samples from CAR-T cell therapy patients for research, working closely with clinicians, nurses, clinical trial teams and researchers. This includes scheduling and co-ordinating the collection of patient samples and lab-based processing of clinical samples for research. The role will also entail general laboratory management, in addition to experimental support for projects where required.

The successful candidate should hold a BSc (Honours) or equivalent. Experience in sample processing and tissue culture is essential, and experience in immunological assays highly desirable. The person will be expected to be a team player, have strong communication skills and have exceptional organisational and time management skills.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals

Classification or Salary Range

Level A (RA2-RA6) depending on experience

Immunisation Risk Category

Category A: Position involving direct patient contact, potential for exposure to blood, body fluid, human tissue specimens during course of a normal working day

Key Relationships

• CoE CIT leadership team and Translation Laboratory staff
• Research staff within the Cancer Research Division
• Cell Therapies Pty. Ltd. staff 
• Clinical CAR-T and oncology day ward unit service staff
• Research staff in the pathology laboratories at Peter Mac/RMH
• Patients and their carers

• VCCC / Parkville Precinct
• Other Victorian and national research institutes and cancer treatment centres
• International research institutes and cancer treatment centres
• For-profit entities such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies  

Skills

• BSc (Honours) or equivalent
• Experience in sample processing and tissue culture 
• High quality written and oral communication skills
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills 
• Personal integrity and discretion
• Effective listening and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player
• Flexibility and ability to develop new skills

• Experience in immunological assays
• Experience with RedCap database and EPIC, or other clinical data management systems 
• Experience with patient facing activities

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

• Liaise with all involved teams/departments to ensure biological samples are collected from CAR-T cell therapy patients
• Maintain a flexible approach to working hours in order to meet the requirements of sample collection
• Assist in the co-ordination of scheduling sample collection
• Maintain effective communication processes with patients and carers, investigators, and other members of the clinical teams to ensure sample collection complies with the relevant guidelines and regulations
• Practice at all times within current appropriate state and federal regulations and hospital policy

 2. Isolate PBMC, serum and plasma from patient clinical samples

• Prepare quality PBMC, serum and plasma from CAR-T cell therapy patient clinical samples in accordance with procedure manuals
• Follow all laboratory SOPs correctly
• Seek the advice of the senior scientific staff to solve any scientific and technical problems in the laboratory
• Execute timely record-keeping and documentation
• Complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner
• Keep up to date inventory of all clinical samples
• Liaise with various stakeholders for distribution of CAR-T cell therapy patient samples

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

3. Input into the management and research activities of the laboratory

• Effectively support the team's research activities when required
• Contribute to upkeep of records of inventories, including lab reagents and liquid nitrogen stores
• Regular attendance at group meetings
• High level of integrity and ethics
• Complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner

4. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues

• Good working relationships with others both within the laboratory and within the wider institute
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness to help others in lab as required