(Clinical) Research Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Research Technician

Job Description

This role supports a CAP-accredited, BSL2+ biorepository and biospecimen processing core facility that provides centralized expertise and infrastructure for the acquisition, processing, storage, and distribution of high-quality human biospecimens for basic, translational, and clinical research. As a Research Technician, you will perform routine and complex technical duties related to standardized biospecimen processing and biobanking in support of investigator-driven research projects and clinical trials. You will join a growing team that is expanding operations and will initially support the established facility while contributing to a pilot program at an additional hospital site.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of routine and complex technical duties related to standardized biospecimen processing and biobanking in alignment with the core facility’s mission to support investigator-driven research projects and clinical trials.
• Follow written procedures, study protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) with strict adherence to quality control and quality assurance practices.
• Receive human biospecimens, including blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, hair, and other bodily fluids, delivered via mail, courier, or in-person collection, and verify that all samples meet study-specific requirements.
• Collect human samples when needed in accordance with study protocols, institutional review board (IRB) requirements, and biosafety guidelines.
• Process biospecimens using sterile technique, including pipetting, separating serum, and processing Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from patient blood.
• Operate and maintain centrifuges to process blood and other biospecimens according to protocol-defined parameters.
• Aliquot biospecimens into appropriate containers, label them accurately, and prepare them for storage or shipment.
• Store biospecimens in liquid nitrogen freezers or other designated storage systems, ensuring proper temperature control and accurate tracking of sample locations.
• Ship biospecimens in accordance with study protocols, SOPs, and regulatory requirements, ensuring proper packaging, labeling, and documentation.
• Use REDCap and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) platforms to document sample receipt, processing, storage, and shipment, ensuring accurate and timely data entry in electronic processing forms.
• Monitor and maintain high levels of data entry accuracy for all electronic processing forms and sample records.
• Cryopreserve PBMCs and perform thawing procedures to confirm viability and suitability for future use in immune system–related studies.
• Understand and interpret study IRB requirements, SOPs, and protocol-specific instructions to ensure compliant handling of all biospecimens.
• Practice and maintain sterile technique throughout all handling and processing steps to minimize contamination and ensure sample integrity.
• Respond to on-call responsibilities, including answering a pager, going onsite as required to collect samples, address freezer issues, or perform urgent processing tasks.
• Collaborate with other processors, histology technologists, and molecular technologists to support daily operations and ensure timely completion of all assigned tasks.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, adhering to BSL2+ biosafety standards and institutional policies.
• Participate in training and continuous learning to stay current with evolving procedures, technologies, and best practices in biospecimen processing and biobanking.
• Demonstrate reliability, strong work ethic, attention to detail, and willingness to listen and learn in a fast-paced clinical research environment.

Essential Skills

• At least 2+ years of experience working in a clinical laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of sterility and sterile technique in handling human biospecimens.
• Proficiency in pipetting and routine laboratory techniques.
• Experience operating centrifuges for processing blood and other biospecimens.
• Ability to process blood, including separating PBMCs from patient blood and performing cryopreservation and thawing procedures.
• Familiarity with biospecimen processing workflows, including receiving, collecting, processing, aliquoting, storing, and shipping human samples.
• Ability to follow written procedures, study protocols, SOPs, and IRB requirements accurately and consistently.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data entry accuracy in electronic processing forms.
• Reliability, strong work ethic, and consistent follow-through on assigned responsibilities.
• Willingness to listen, learn, and adapt to evolving procedures and study requirements.
• Ability to practice safe and compliant laboratory behavior in a BSL2+ environment.
• Comfort working fully gowned, including wearing face shields and double gloves, for extended periods.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using REDCap for data capture and management in clinical or research settings is highly preferred.
• Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is highly preferred.
• Prior exposure to biobanking or biorepository operations is beneficial.
• Experience handling a wide range of human biospecimens, including blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, hair, and other bodily fluids, is advantageous.
• Demonstrated commitment, reliability, and strong work ethic in previous roles.
• Eagerness to learn new techniques and technologies related to biospecimen processing and storage.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, including processors, histology technologists, and molecular technologists.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a time-sensitive environment.

Work Environment

This position is 100% onsite in a CAP-accredited, BSL2+ biorepository and biospecimen processing core facility that supports clinical research across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, dermatology, orthopedics, trauma, pediatrics, and infectious diseases such as HIV and COVID-19. You will work with human biospecimens including blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, hair, and other bodily fluids, using equipment such as centrifuges and liquid nitrogen freezers. The role requires full gowning, including face shields and double gloves, to maintain biosafety and sample integrity. Standard hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition, you will participate in an on-call rotation once per month, covering Wednesday through Tuesday, including weekends. While on call, you must respond to a pager and be prepared to go onsite if needed for tasks such as sample collection or addressing freezer issues. The department remains open for most holidays and closes only on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s. The environment emphasizes careful adherence to written procedures, strong quality control and quality assurance practices, and collaborative teamwork within a growing laboratory supporting both established and expanding operations.

This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.

The pay range for this position is $20.75 - $20.75/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Durham,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.