NGS Laboratory Sample Coordinator

Job Title: NGS Laboratory Sample Coordinator

Location: Onsite in Boulder, CO

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

About the Company

Foresight Diagnostics is an early-stage, venture-backed molecular diagnostics company that is developing non-invasive cancer detection technologies to improve the lives of patients worldwide. Our portfolio of cell-free DNA based liquid biopsy tests are rooted in novel and proprietary methods developed at Stanford University. Our approach enables the earlier detection of smaller tumors, leading to more personalized and effective cancer treatment strategies for patients. We have deep expertise in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), and maintain a dynamic, fast-paced work environment with significant opportunities for high-impact contribution and rapid professional growth. Foresight Diagnostics is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

About the Role

The NGS Laboratory Sample Coordinator facilitates the efficient and organized flow of samples and projects through Foresight’s laboratory, ensuring timely processing and high-quality data generation. Key responsibilities include managing the sample processing and sequencing queue according to ranked priority, assigning samples to batches and sequencing runs according to project requirements, and collaborating with laboratory leads to optimize processing batch occupancy. The NGS Laboratory Sample Coordinator tracks project progress through sample processing and analysis and triggers reprocessing to meet quality, performance, and contractual requirements. The NGS Laboratory Sample Coordinator works cooperatively within the laboratory, leveraging technical knowledge, skills and abilities to ensure efficient and quality results are provided to our clients and patients while also participating in process improvements. Essential skills include organization, communication, problem-solving, and the ability to work in a team, along with familiarity with LIMS and quality control. This position reports to the Director of Clinical Laboratory Operations.

What You Will Do

Workflow Management & Prioritization

• Assign samples to batches and coordinate sample handling activities with laboratory shift leads.

• Prioritize samples based on urgency or specific project requirements with feedback from laboratory leaders.

• Monitor and maintain the sample queue to ensure timely processing and adherence to service level agreements; escalate delays or bottlenecks that impact turnaround time (TAT).

• Align scheduling decisions with laboratory capacity, instrumentation availability, and priority shifts.

Project Coordination & Readiness

• Ensure all samples expected for internal and external project are received, accessioned, processed, and resulted.

• Manage timelines and work with laboratory leadership to manage resources to ensure timely project delivery.

• Maintain end-to-end project visibility through accurate data entry into tracking tools and dashboards and stakeholder communication.

• Assist with forecasting needs for projects accounting for resource constraints, batch sizes, special handling to enable lab planning.

• Maintain records and documenting sample information in LIMS or other systems.

• Support sample inventory efforts through storage organization, data entry, and sample status review.

• Participate in routine planning meetings to ensure alignment between lab execution and broader program timelines.

Communication & Collaboration

• Serve as point-of-contact for internal stakeholders for project-specific sample questions during processing.

• Communicate sample status updates, batch completions, delays, and reprocessing requirements to internal stakeholders.

• Notify stakeholders of critical or high-priority or expedited samples.

• Facilitate resolution of urgent operational issues in partnership with laboratory leadership and stakeholders.

• Sample Quality & Testing Lifecycle:

• With laboratory lead support, review quality control data and queue samples for reprocessing.

• Perform sample quality checks and assist with inventory management, sample reconciliation, and freezer audits.

• Identify and address discrepancies or errors in sample information.

• Participate in investigations and implementation of corrective actions if necessary.

• Document discrepancies, participate in nonconformance investigations, and implement corrective actions where appropriate.

What You Will Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Biology or related science field.

• Minimum 2 years of industry experience in same or related position.

• Strong understanding of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, including DNA extraction, ligation, amplification, enrichment, and sequencing.

• Demonstrated success in coordinating complex laboratory activities across multiple workstreams with different project requirements.

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

• High proficiency interacting with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or similar sample management systems.

• Familiarity with Illumina BaseSpace and sample sheet creation.

• Experience working in a regulated laboratory setting under GxP, CAP/CLIA, or equivalent standards.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy with a problem-solving mindset.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and influence without direct authority.

Preferred

• Previous experience as a Certified Laboratory Technologist or Scientist (CLS) in clinical laboratory.

• Familiarity with basic programming in R or Python to conduct data cleaning, visualization, and organization.

• Working knowledge with the basics of project management.

Physical and Mental Requirements, Working Conditions

• Learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, make timely decisions in the context of a workflow, ability to communicate with others, ability to complete tasks in situations that have a speed or productivity quota.

• This position requires the individual to wear and work in personal protective equipment. This individual may be working with potential biohazards related to bloodborne pathogens exposure and may be exposed to human diseases.

• Required to stand, walk, and sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone or video-conference; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms. Regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch and move up to 25/50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

• This is an essential position supporting clinical laboratory operations requiring attendance on weekends, holidays, and during emergency conditions, such as inclement weather and power failure.

• This position requires the ability to identify and resolve quality issues.

• This position is a full-time, in-person position in Boulder, CO.

Compensation and Benefits

This role is hiring at an hourly rate of $28.00 per hour - $35.00 per hour and is eligible for bonus and equity offerings.

Foresight offers benefits including paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave (if applicable), alongside medical, dental, vision, life, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, and a 401k with company match.

You will be working on interesting problems with extremely high impact. We promote the professional development of our employees and will encourage upward mobility within the company for high performing employees. Foresight Diagnostics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.