Biobank Manager

Job/Position Summary

The Biobank Manager is responsible for the overall management, organization, and day-to-day operations of KAUST’s project-driven precision medicine biobank. This role involves overseeing human biological samples’ collection, storage, quality control, and distribution in compliance with regulatory standards, international best practices, and institutional policies. The Biobank Manager will support research activities, ensuring that biobanking procedures are streamlined and meet high ethical and quality standards. This position requires strong leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with researchers, laboratory staff, local and international clinicians, hospitals and research institutes, and other stakeholders. The Biobank aims to leverage KAUST’ss multi-omics and bioinformatics platforms to enhance the value of its collection. 

Major Responsibilities – include but are not limited to -

Biobank Operations: Oversee daily biobank operations, including sample collection, processing, expansion, immortalization, storage, and distribution, ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards. Anticipated samples include liquid biopsies (PBMCs, plasma, serum), skin biopsies, healthy and tumor tissues, urine, stool, and commensal or infectious microbes and derivatives.

Sample Management: Manage the intake and cataloging of samples, ensuring all samples are

tracked, stored, and documented accurately according to standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Quality Assurance: Develop and maintain quality control and quality assurance procedures for all biobank activities, ensuring the integrity and traceability of samples.

Compliance: Ensure that all biobank operations comply with ethical, legal,

and regulatory standards, including those set by the KAUST Institutional Biosafety and Bioethics Committee, which oversees human subjects research and biosafety.

Inventory Management: Supervise the management of biobank inventory, ensuring that

adequate quantities of samples are available for research projects, and proper storage

conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity) are maintained.

Data Management: Manage databases and sample tracking systems, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records. Working with stakeholders in information security, data governance, and privacy to ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures. Must build strong partnerships with the Bioscience CoreLab and the Bioinformatics Platform.

Documentation: Lead the development and updates of the biobank documentation, including laboratory manuals, guidance documents, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in adherence with the current national and international regulations and best practices concerning all tasks undertaken for human biospecimens handling, processing, and storage.

Research Support: Work closely with principal investigators and research teams to understand their requirements for the procurement, processing, and storage of human biospecimens and provide support for the development of study protocols and sample collection strategies. Identify future opportunities which could enhance the value and effectiveness of the Biobank.

Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for the Biobank, providing information and guidance on biobank services and sample access procedures.

Training & Supervision: Train and supervise biobank staff, providing guidance and support to ensure efficient, high-quality operations.

Process Improvement: Continuously assess and optimize biobank processes to improve

efficiency, reduce errors, and ensure the integrity of sample collections.

Budget: Advise the Biobank Governance Committee on budgetary decisions and oversee the financial management of the Biobank, ensuring efficient use of resources and sustainability of operations.

Resource Management: Manage the inventory of biobank equipment and supplies, coordinating maintenance and repairs as needed.

Reporting: Prepare reports on biobank activities, including inventory status, sample usage,

compliance audits, and operational performance. Present data to senior leadership and stakeholders as needed.

Competencies

• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of biobanking practices, including sample handling, storage, data management, and relevant regulatory requirements
• Analytical Skills: Ability to monitor and interpret data related to sample quality, inventory levels, and operational efficiency
• Communication:  Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, hospital representatives, laboratory staff, and regulatory bodies. Able to write/review SOPs and documents.
• Leadership: Proven leadership skills to manage, motivate, and train a team of biobank staff, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous process improvement.
• Organization: Highly organized with strong attention to detail to manage large volumes of samples and data while adhering to strict quality standards.
• Problem-solving: Ability to identify and resolve issues related to sample management, storage conditions, and data accuracy promptly and effectively.
• Information Technology: Knowledge of biobank laboratory information systems (LIMS) and requirements for integration with clinical and omics data systems.
• Bioinformatics:  Understanding the critical role bioinformatics can play in enhancing the research value of the Biobank.
• Integrated omics:  Knowledge of the vital role played by various omics (e.g., long-read sequencing, methylome, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics,  lipidomics in enhancing the research value of the Biobank.
• iPSCs and organoids: Knowledge of reprogramming patient cells into iPSCs and differentiation into ad hoc lineages for disease modeling and assay development.

Qualifications

Masters or PhD degree in Biological Sciences, Laboratory Management,

Biochemistry, Genetics, or related fields. Advanced certificaton in biobanking (e.g., ISBER Certfied BiobankManager) is a plus.

Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in biobank management or a related field,

with at least 3 years in a management role. Strong experience with sample collection, storage, and data management in a research or clinical setting. Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and best practices in biobanking.