Details **Open Date** 08/04/2025 **Requisition Number** PRN42731B **Job Title** Sr Laboratory Specialist **Working Title** Sr Laboratory Specialist **Job Grade** E **FLSA Code** Administrative **Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No **Standard Hours per Week** 50 **Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time **Shift** Day **Work Schedule Summary** Arranged with Supervisor **VP Area** U of U Health - Academics **Department** 01709 - CCTS - PRECISION MEDICINE **Location** Campus **City** Salt Lake City, UT **Type of Recruitment** External Posting **Pay Rate Range** $52,400 - $62,400 depending on experience **Close Date** 09/29/2025 **Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)** **Job Summary** The Cellular Translational Research Core ( CTRC ) seeks a Senior Laboratory Specialist with a strong sense of order and a passion for organizing complex systems. This unique role centers around managing a large and growing collection of cryopreserved biospecimens, currently numbering over 500,000 samples. This position will serve as the staff lead of the CTRC’s Biorepository. The Biorepository Lead will work closely with the CTRC Lab Director to manage projects and staff in the biorepository. This will include hiring and training other staff members; devising, refining, and implementing new processes, and overseeing the day to day operations of the biorepository. All members of this team, include Biorepository Lead, split their time between 1) hands-on work in our cryogenic storage facility, retrieving, relocating, transporting, and shipping biospecimens to internal investigators and external institutions and 2) detailed, accurate data entry and cataloging within OpenSpecimen, our biobanking Laboratory Information Management System ( LIMS ). This is a challenging yet rewarding position. Many of the biospecimens are irreplaceable and have significant historical or research value. Preservation is paramount. The ideal candidate will be meticulous, dependable, and understand the critical importance of proper sample handling and accurate recordkeeping. After onboarding, the Biorepository Lead is expected to take ownership of the role, demonstrate initiative, and drive their work forward with minimal supervision. If you’re someone who prefers autonomy over micromanagement, this could be an excellent fit. This role is especially well-suited for individuals seeking a stable, full-time position for a year or more. If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy working in a laboratory environment with real impact, we encourage you to apply and become part of our collaborative and mission-driven team. **Responsibilities** Biorepository Leadership + In collaboration with the CTRC leadership, manages projects and staff in the biorepository. Helps prioritize and address customer requests. Executes projects with minimal supervision. + Directs the day to day operations of the biorepository, including hiring and training other biorepository staff members. + Provides feedback to CTRC leadership regarding policies, workflows, and issues. + Devises, refines and implements new techniques or modifies existing processes by utilizing advanced knowledge. Biorepository Maintenance + Oversees freezer maintenance schedules, including refilling nitrogen tanks and monitoring nitrogen levels. + Performs annual defrosting of -20°C and -80°C freezers to prevent excessive frost and ice buildup. + Serves as primary on-call contact for freezer notifications (sent via a smartphone-based app that delivers real-time alerts), and is first responder for freezer malfunctions or emergencies (which could occur outside normal business hours). Arranges with other CTRC staff to cover call if unavailable. Specimen Management + Manages sample requests by organizing, transporting, delivering, or shipping samples to their intended destinations. + Must have a vehicle to be able to transport samples between freezers in research park and the health campus. + Enforces and follows a high standard of quality control is essential. Accurate labeling, sample identification, and tracking must be maintained at 100%. + Handles precious and irreplaceable biospecimens with technical precision and meticulous care to avoid compromising sample integrity. + Leads internal and external sample distributions and shipments, using Cryoport, World Courier, and FedEx, while ensuring accuracy and proper sample handling. Prints shipping labels using the SMART shipping system. Transports and delivers samples to other university core labs for quality control assays. Data Systems & Billing + Imports legacy data and catalogs every cryobox in the biorepository into OpenSpecimen. + Organizes boxes by Principal Investigator (PI) or project, managing naming conventions, container movement, and organization. + Develops collection and distribution protocols for each project in collaboration with other CTRC staff. + Compiles and validates monthly billing reports generated by OpenSpecimen. Customer Service + Professionalism and excellent customer service are expected, given the facility’s close interaction with numerous investigators. + The Sr. Lab Specialist must be able to clearly and professionally communicate with customers when needed, listening carefully, responding knowledgeably, and providing timely and accurate information. **Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:** Nearly Continuously: Office and lab environment. Often: Infectious disease, oils ( _there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids_ ), hazards ( _includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals_ ). **Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required** Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking. Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting. Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead. **Minimum Qualifications** Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate scientific discipline or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), plus four years of related full-time laboratory experience required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required. Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description. **Preferences** + Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. + Must have a vehicle to be able to transport samples between campus locations. + Must have strong computer skills and basic proficiency in using sample tracking software. + Must be capable of lifting and handling freezer towers (~25 lbs) and safely moving liquid nitrogen (LN2) supply tanks (>200 lbs) using appropriate tools and transport equipment. + Should be familiar with the safe handling of liquid nitrogen and other cryopreservation hazards. + A solid understanding of research ethics is required **Type** Benefited Staff **Special Instructions Summary** **Additional Information** The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients. All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/ Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.