Research Coordinator

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $66,300 - $70,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.


Position Summary


We are seeking a highly organized and technically skilled Research Coordinator to support logistics and operations of a research lab and drive the sample processing and collection for multiple clinical cohort studies. This individual will work closely with the PI and Senior Staff Associate I and will be completing and maintaining service contracts, purchasing; assisting with IACUC-related tasks including amendments/exceptions; drafting and/or editing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and closely working with clinical research teams to ensure proper IRB follow through, the standardized processing, cryopreservation, tracking, and distribution of blood and other biological specimens. This position offers opportunities for growth in lab management, project coordination, assay development and laboratory process optimization. The individual will gain increasing responsibility in managing workflows across studies, contributing to SOP development, and supporting translational research efforts, with potential for expanded roles in data integration, quality systems, and team mentorship.


Responsibilities

• Ensure laboratory readiness, organization, and compliance with institutional biosafety, regulatory, and quality standards.
• Oversee laboratory workflow optimization, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Support the management of service contracts for the laboratory and shared equipment by maintaining records, coordinating with vendors, and assisting with monitoring equipment performance and maintenance needs.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of IACUC materials, including amendments, modifications, and exception requests, as well as maintaining documentation related to animal protocol approvals.
• Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support the consistent implementation of research processes and ensure adherence to established protocols.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant laboratory environment
• Oversee end-to-end lifecycle of clinical samples, including processing, storage, tracking, and data integration.
  • Process blood and other biological specimens (e.g., plasma, serum, PBMCs, urine, CSF) according to established protocols across multiple clinical studies
  • Perform cryopreservation and long-term storage of biospecimens, ensuring adherence to best practices and study-specific requirements
  • Coordinate closely with clinical research coordinators and investigators to manage specimen collection schedules and priorities
  • Maintain accurate, real-time tracking of biospecimens using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and/or databases
  • Prepare and ship samples to internal and external collaborators in compliance with regulatory and biosafety guidelines
  • Ensure proper labeling, documentation, and chain-of-custody for all specimens
  • Monitor inventory, storage conditions, and sample quality; troubleshoot issues as needed
• Assist with training of new staff or coordinators on biospecimen handling procedures as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus three years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with clinical cohorts or human subjects research
• Familiarity with PBMC isolation, aliquoting, and cryopreservation techniques
• Knowledge of biosafety, HIPAA, and regulatory requirements related to human specimens
• Experience coordinating across multiple studies or investigators
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple workflows and competing priorities
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with biospecimen processing and laboratory techniques
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and sample integrity
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Experience with sample tracking systems, databases, or LIMS
• Technical proficiency in laboratory specimen processing and storage
• Clear and proactive communication with coordinators and investigators
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• This position involves regular work in a laboratory setting, including handling human biological specimens and working with cold storage systems (e.g., -80°C freezers, liquid nitrogen).

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran


Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.