Salary: £34,866 to £36,924 with progression to £45,163 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 15 December 2024
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the development and running of VIVO biobank (https://vivobiobank.org/). This is a national Children’s and Young People’s Cancer biobank formed from the merger of the Children’s Cancer & Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Tissue Bank and the Blood Cancer UK leukaemia CellBank in 2022.
Key roles are responsibility for the HRA approved protocol for the Bank and any amendments, oversight of sample registrations for solid tumours and follow-up data collection, authorisation of tissue banking payments to centres, publicity and promotion of the Bank, ensuring MTAs are issued for approved studies and liaising with the Newcastle Biobank for release of solid tumour samples.
Working alongside another biobank manager based at the University of York, you will be responsible for liaising with clinical staff in centres about consenting patients and supporting new centres including TYA centres in setting up Tissue Banking processes. You will arrange all relevant paperwork, undertake periodic governance audits in collection centres and generally help to ensure good working relationships with the paediatric oncology and haematology community as well as publicising and promoting VIVO Biobank to researchers worldwide.
You will have a BSc and/or Master’s degree in a biological science. You will have practical laboratory research experience preferably within a cancer research environment. You will have experience of working in clinical research with experience of conducting a research project. You will have experience of interacting with clinical and scientific staff in a medical research environment.
You will have experience of successful project management and a high level of computer literacy, including Microsoft Office, Access databases and database development.
You will be able to work on your own initiative, including good time management skills, ability to prioritise, and ensure essential deadlines are met. You will have excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to interact constructively with all staff in centres in relation to all aspects associated with tissue banking and biological studies. You will be able to express thoughts and ideas verbally and communicate clearly and concisely in writing. You will have meticulous attention to detail. You will have evidence of staff management, including team motivation. This post forms one of two Biobank managers within VIVO biobank. The other biobank manager based at the University of York is mainly responsible for liquid tumour banking but some cross cover will be provided.
This is a full-time fixed term post until 30.06.2027 (subject to annual review).
Please note that if you are successful in this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic input:
* Working with the Directors of VIVO Biobank on strategic developments in relation to the management of biological studies and VIVO Biobank.
* Advising the Biobank Management Committee and Director(s) of the Biobank on management and operational issues with the Biobank.
* Continuing review of all activity to ensure compliance with the Human Tissue Act and ethical approval procedures.
* Representing VIVO Biobank at the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Tissue Directory and Coordination Centre (UKCRC TDCC).
* Managing audit of tissue banking activity, including monitoring actual number samples banked against potential numbers.
* Taking forward new initiatives in tumour banking including the extension of banking centres to include Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) centres.
Operational aspects of tissue registration and banking:
* Line management of/support/provision of advice to the VIVO Biobank research assistants.
* Responsibility for drafting and maintenance of all relevant Standard Operating Procedures.
* To assist completion of a Data Protection Impact Assessment and Data Sharing Agreement.
Operational aspects of sample release to researchers:
* Liaising with key personnel from the Newcastle Central Biobank Facility to initiate solid tumour sample release.
* Ensure compliance with requirement for researchers of active research projects to submit an annual progress report each year.
Education/Training role:
* Active involvement in development of Biobank Study Days for site staff involved in banking.
* Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students on tissue bank related projects where appropriate.
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Experience working within research, medical or clinical laboratory environment.
* Proven organisational skills, including ability to demonstrate successful project management.
* Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing.
Qualifications:
A degree in a relevant subject, i.e. biomedical science, molecular or cellular biology.
Desirable:
A Masters or a PhD in a relevant subject, i.e. molecular or cellular biology.
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