RCI-ABBV-34354 Biomarker Associate (Biological Sample/Specimen Processing)

Contract: 6 Months -

Job Overview

• We are seeking a Biomarker / Sample Management Associate to support sample management operations within a laboratory environment
• This is a hands-on, entry-level to early-career role focused on receiving, tracking, storing, and managing clinical samples, ensuring strict adherence to chain of custody and data integrity standards.
• The role involves close collaboration with lab teams (e.g., flow cytometry and ligand binding assay groups) and requires strong organizational and documentation skills.

Manager’s update

• Receive and log biological/clinical samples into LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)
• Manage sample inventory using Excel and internal systems
• Handle sample requests, retrieval, and distribution to internal lab teams
• Maintain accurate chain of custody documentation for all samples
• Track and manage shipments, including handling dry ice packages
• Ensure proper storage conditions (e.g., ultra-low temperature environments)
• Perform data entry, reconciliation, and tracking activities
• Follow lab safety protocols and compliance standards
• Support audits by maintaining clean, organized records
• Sample management experience (receiving, logging, tracking biological samples preferred)
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Experience working with Excel (data handling, sorting, filtering)
• Basic understanding of laboratory environment and safety practices
• Ability to manage large datasets with attention to detail
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to lift up to 30–40 lbs (shipment handling)
• Bachelor’s degree In Biology, Life Sciences, Chemistry, or related field
• Associate degree acceptable with 3–4 years relevant experience
• 1–3 years of relevant experience preferred
• Open to entry-level candidates with internships or lab exposure
• Experience in Sample receiving/logging or Lab technician roles or Clinical/lab environments
• Master’s degree may be considered overqualified
• Any Lab experience with sample management will work (blood , tissue, fluid)
• Sample experince and lims experince

Preferred Skills

• Experience with LIMS systems
• Prior experience in clinical or biological sample handling
• Exposure to sample storage systems (freezers, dry ice handling)
• Basic understanding of chain of custody processes
• Process improvement mindset (Excel automation, workflow optimization)

What are the top 3-5 skills, experience or education required for this position:

• Bachelor’s degree with 1-3 years of sample management experience (shipping and receiving samples, receipt and logging of samples)
• Highly organized and capable of managing large datasets via Excel
• GLP/LIMS experience
• Can work independently

Job Description:

General Position Summary/Purpose:

This is an onsite position responsible for providing sample management support to ligand binding analysis and FACS-based biomarker laboratories. The samples are collected from preclinical and clinical studies in various therapeutic areas including oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and virology.

• The Biomarker Associate I serve as a Bio-sample point of contact on assigned studies. Collaborate with biomarker scientists, clinical operation teams, project managers and laboratory managers to coordinates all aspects of bio sample operations with minimal supervision.
• Ensure all sample collections, storage and transfers are following protocols, regulatory requirements (ICH/GCP/GLP), ICF status, and project timelines.
• Identifies immediate needs on studies, projects, and tasks, and works closely with the lead Biomarker scientists on exploratory analysis activities and biomarker strategy.
• As part of the team, contributes to innovation and continuous improvement activities in bio-sample collection, processing, and transfers.

Key Accountabilities/Core Responsibilities:

• Track Clinical and laboratory samples and follows up with sites/study team, vendors, and/or CRO to resolve queries, discrepancy, reconciliation, and data entry as needed.
• Execute and maintain processes for sample management, able to organize and manage large datasets, and provide regular summaries to team.
• Manage clinical bio-samples and storage equipment, including LN2 freezers.
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations, Discovery, CQA and IT, contribute to the development and efficiency of departmental Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Assist in the planning and organization of collection and shipping of bio-samples from investigator sites or centralized locations and subsequent delivery to analytical laboratories or company site.
• Partner with Biomarker Leads to ensure the delivery of bio-sample data in accordance with study timelines.
• Provide operation support for Senior Biomarker Associates and Biomarker Leads.
• Support relationships with laboratory vendors, provide input into trial-specific agreements and assess service level commitments of labs involved in sample analysis. Ensure issues are resolved or escalated in a timely manner.
• Assist to review laboratory vendor invoices to ensure appropriate work has been completed.
• ontributes to functional process and system improvements to ensure samples are collected, processed, and analyzed appropriately.

Qualifications:

• Proficiency in MS office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications.
• Previous experience and proficiency in utilizing LIMS preferred.
• Previous HIPAA and/or Human Subject Protection knowledge preferred.
• Knowledge of processing and storage management of human bio-specimen preferred.
• Effective team player and ability to collaborate with cross functional clinical study teams.
• Ability to oversee bio-sample management activities across multiple clinical trials.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast paced, team-based environment and work independently when necessary.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills necessary to interface with outside vendors, consultants, and team members.
• Hands-on experience in handling clinical biological samples.
• Demonstrated strengths in planning, organizational, analytical skills, time management, problem solving, and attention to detail.
• Proven critical reasoning skills including the identification and resolution of complex problems.
• BA/BS in Biology, Pharmacology or equivalent, with/or 1 to 3 years of relevant industry experience.

• Experience in clinical research or bio-sample handling at either an investigational site, pharmaceutical/biotech company, or equivalent