Research Services Principal Professional

Job Summary:

The Colorado Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CCTSI) provides infrastructure and core technology resources designed to enhance clinical and basic sciences, promote research excellence, and train the next generation of clinical/translational scientists.

The Principal Research Services position serves as a laboratory professional reporting directly to the Assistant Director, with responsibility for both lab workflow and advanced technical execution within the CTRC Core Laboratory Program. In this role, the incumbent oversees workflow coordination, staff scheduling, specimen processing, assay execution, and space utilization to support investigator needs. They contribute to staff onboarding, training, competency assessment, and participate in process improvement initiatives and cross-functional collaborations, while serving as a primary operational liaison for study teams and investigators. The position ensures compliance with CAP, CLIA, and institutional requirements through active participation in quality systems, documentation, and inspection readiness, and works closely with other CTRC programs to support integrated research operations.

Technically, the Principal RS performs and oversees complex specimen processing and analysis across a range of biochemical and immunological assays using multiple laboratory platforms. They monitor laboratory performance metrics-including turnaround times, quality control, inventory, and equipment maintenance-to ensure efficient, high-quality operations, providing regular reporting and escalating resource needs as appropriate. The role requires strong proficiency with laboratory information systems (LIS/LIMS) for tracking, documentation, and reporting, as well as experience supporting assay implementation and verification, staff training, and workflow integration. As a senior technical resource, the Principal RS also serves as a mentor and key point of contact for troubleshooting instrumentation and assay performance, contributing to continuous improvement and operational excellence in support of clinical and translational research.

Key Responsibilities:

Admin Laboratory Operations (30%)

• Supports daytoday lab workflow and scheduling, including specimen processing, assay execution, equipment use, and lab space organization across multiple locations to meet investigator study needs, including training and task assignment. Assist in staff onboarding, competency assessments, and ongoing training requirements.

• Participate in team meetings, process improvement initiatives, and crossfunctional collaborations including implementation of established laboratory procedures, workflows, and policies developed at the program level

• Serve as an operational point of contact for investigators and research teams including protocol start-up activities, communicating operational constraints and timelines with study teams.

• Ensure adherence to CAP, CLIA, institutional, and regulatory requirements in daily operations and assist with documentation, inspection readiness, and corrective actions.

• Collaborates with related CTRC programs (e.g., Nursing, Informatics, Nutrition) to support integrated research operations.

Technical (70%)

• Performs specimen processing on blood, urine, and sputum as well as analysis by chemistry, hormone, and inflammatory marker assays such as, osteocalcin, calprotectin, IL-6 and insulin using automated chemistry analyzers (Access II, AU 480, IDS i-SYS, Luminex, ELISA, and RIA.

• Monitor laboratory workload, turnaround times, QC, QA, inventory management, supply ordering, equipment maintenance monitoring, and service metrics to ensure efficient operations, then provides reports and escalates resource concerns to Assistant Director. accurate data entry, recordkeeping, and workflow tracking within laboratory systems.

• Utilize laboratory information systems (LIS/LIMS) to support operational tracking, documentation, and reporting.

• Implementation verification of new assays, ensuring staff training and workflow integration.

• Point of contact and mentor for troubleshooting equipment and assay performance.

• Other duties as assigned by the lab manager

Work Location:

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado.

Why Join Us:

CTRC Core Laboratory Services support IRB-approved protocols with a wide range of analytical testing including chemical, hormone, metabolite, and immunological assays. CTRC Core Laboratories are CAP- and CLIA-accredited and provide trained personnel, reagents, equipment, and QC capabilities to conduct assays for research studies.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution or a directly related field from an accredited institution and 3-5 years of professional laboratory experience

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7-10 years experience in biology related laboratory

• A Master's degree

• ASCP certification

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Outstanding customer service skills.

• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

• Superior communication and organizational skills

• Experience in a high pace environment with multiple stakeholders

• Must be able to work independently following training

Conditions of Employment:

Must be able to walk one mile while carrying up to 15 lbs work at both locations on campus and be willing to work with radioactive and biohazardous materials.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position (only use if a cover letter is necessary)

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Rebecca Baldermann, Rebecca.Baldermann@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by July 15^th.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range for this position has been established as:

$64,686 - $86,679

The above salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.