Internal Applicants Only - Biobank Operations Manager College of Biomedical and Life Sciences The Cardiff University Biobank is an established facility within the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences (BLS) that supports research by facilitating access to biosamples for the internal and external research community. We offer high quality human biosamples for research undertaken for patient or public benefit to academic and commercial organisations and have established collections from different disease areas and healthy volunteers. Samples can be stored in both ultra-low temperature freezers and vapour phase liquid nitrogen, with additional storage at -20°C, +4°C and at room temperature. We also have a dedicated laboratory for sample processing and a phlebotomy suite for sample collection. The facility adheres to all ethical and regulatory requirements (including those covering human tissue, data and ethics) and relevant quality standards in biobanking; CUB is certified to ISO 9001:2015 for our quality management system. We have an exciting opportunity for an Operational Manager to join our team. This is a new position, and we are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and flexible individual who will manage the day-to-day onsite operational activities of the biobank. As the Operational Manager, you will ensure the delivery of team activities, including overseeing laboratory activities and ensuring these are compliant with relevant biobanking regulations, managing members of the biobank team and managing an operational budget. Working closely with the BLS Facilities Quality and Biobank Lead, you will ensure that all routine and regulatory operational activities and audits are performed. As a key member of the biobank team, you will contribute to ensuring the smooth running and continuous improvement of the facility., To manage the Cardiff University Biobank facility and operations team,
* Manage the operation of the Cardiff University Biobank, including overseeing laboratory activities, planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required
* Be a point of contact for the facilities temperature monitoring system which includes responding to any alarms and alerts in a timely manner, which could include out of hours responses
* Ensure operational activities meet quality standards and are compliant with the Human Tissue Act, data protection regulation, Health and Safety requirements and ISO 9001 certification, undertaking regulatory audits as required,
* Contribute to the long-term management of the facility, interpreting facility and Research Service strategies into work priorities
* Manage the performance, induction and development of the team
* Support and guide team members in welfare issues, escalating as necessary to specialist support areas
* Ensure the delivery of the team's operations, adapting these according to changes in workload and customer requirements
* Review and approve operational purchasing/finances and collate quotes for users of the biobank
* Develop networks across facilities to ensure the success of the team's objectives and long-term plans
* Make recommendations for developments of established processes and procedures
* Undertake the training of others in areas relating to the team's work
* Undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance
* Gather and analyse data to inform decisions, establishing basic trends and patterns in data and creating reports as appropriate
* Assist in donor recruitment for the facility. This could include taking non-invasive samples (e.g. swabs, spit, urine, faeces) and blood from donors as required. The role holder may be required to undertake training as a phlebotomist as part of the position
General Duties
* Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
* Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role
You will be educated to degree level in a biomedical or biological sciences, or another directly relevant discipline, and you will have substantial practical experience of managing an active laboratory or facility. Whilst a comprehensive understanding and experience of working in accordance with human tissue, data protection and ethical regulatory guidelines is an essential requirement of the role, prior experience of working within a biobank is not essential. Hence this is an excellent opportunity to apply your expertise in a new setting., Qualifications and Education
1. Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent work related experience Knowledge, Skills and Experience 2. Substantial experience of managing a team within a laboratory environment 3. Specialist knowledge and comprehensive understanding and experience of working in accordance with human tissue, data protection and ethical regulatory guidelines 4. Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures, and managing budgets Customer Service, Communication and Team Working 5. Ability to communicate detailed and complex information effectively and professionally to a wide range of people 6. Proven ability to develop networks in order to contribute to long term developments 7. Experience of dealing with performance and welfare issues 8. Evidence of ability to explore customers' needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered. Planning, Analysis and Problem solving 9. Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; using detailed understanding of methodologies to select the right approach 10. Evidence of ability to plan the work of a team, over extended time periods, reacting to changes in workload and priority, 1. Postgraduate/Professional qualification 2. Experience of working in a biobank or biomedical laboratory within a Higher Education Institution 3. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements., Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.