Research Coordinator

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $65,300 -$70,000

Position Summary

Responsibilities

• Ensure laboratory readiness, organization, and compliance with institutional biosafety, regulatory, and quality standards.
• Oversee laboratory workflow optimization, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Support the management of service contracts for the laboratory and shared equipment by maintaining records, coordinating with vendors, and assisting with monitoring equipment performance and maintenance needs.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of IACUC materials, including amendments, modifications, and exception requests, as well as maintaining documentation related to animal protocol approvals.
• Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support the consistent implementation of research processes and ensure adherence to established protocols.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant laboratory environment
• Oversee end-to-end lifecycle of clinical samples, including processing, storage, tracking, and data integration.
  • Process blood and other biological specimens (e.g., plasma, serum, PBMCs, urine, CSF) according to established protocols across multiple clinical studies 
  • Perform cryopreservation and long-term storage of biospecimens, ensuring adherence to best practices and study-specific requirements   
  • Coordinate closely with clinical research coordinators and investigators to manage specimen collection schedules and priorities 
  • Maintain accurate, real-time tracking of biospecimens using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and/or databases 
  • Prepare and ship samples to internal and external collaborators in compliance with regulatory and biosafety guidelines 
  • Ensure proper labeling, documentation, and chain-of-custody for all specimens 
  • Monitor inventory, storage conditions, and sample quality; troubleshoot issues as needed
• Assist with training of new staff or coordinators on biospecimen handling procedures as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus three years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with clinical cohorts or human subjects research 
• Familiarity with PBMC isolation, aliquoting, and cryopreservation techniques 
• Knowledge of biosafety, HIPAA, and regulatory requirements related to human specimens
• Experience coordinating across multiple studies or investigators
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple workflows and competing priorities
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with biospecimen processing and laboratory techniques
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and sample integrity
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Experience with sample tracking systems, databases, or LIMS                                                                                                   
• Technical proficiency in laboratory specimen processing and storage
• Clear and proactive communication with coordinators and investigators
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• This position involves regular work in a laboratory setting, including handling human biological specimens and working with cold storage systems (e.g., -80°C freezers, liquid nitrogen).

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.