Job Description

Position Title: Biobank Technician I

Department/Unit: IGHER - Biobank Program

Reports To: Biobank Head

Location: Kigali with possible travel to research sites and sample collection locations

Position type: Two-year contract with possible extension

Position Summary

The Biobank Technician I – Sample Processing is responsible for supporting the collection, receipt, processing, aliquoting, labeling, storage preparation, and quality control of biological specimens collected from clinical trials, population-based research studies, and other biomedical research projects.

The position ensures that all biological samples are handled, processed, and stored according to approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), biosafety requirements, and biobank quality standards.

The Biobank Technician I works closely with Clinical Research Coordinators, Principal Investigators, laboratory personnel, data management teams, and research partners to ensure specimen integrity, traceability, and compliance throughout the research lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, process, label, aliquot, store, retrieve, and prepare biological specimens for shipment according to approved SOPs.
• Maintain accurate sample identification, tracking, chain-of-custody, and inventory records.
• Conduct routine quality checks, document deviations, and support CAPA, audits, and continuous quality improvement.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, refrigerators, freezers, and pipettes.
• Maintain biosafety, GCLP/GCP, confidentiality, and laboratory safety standards.
• Monitor laboratory supplies and report equipment or operational issues.
• Collaborate with clinical, laboratory, data management, and research teams to support clinical trials and research projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical/Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of laboratory experience, preferably involving human biological specimens in research, clinical trials, hospitals, or diagnostic laboratories.
• Skills: Knowledge of sample processing, biosafety, laboratory quality standards, documentation, and basic laboratory information systems; good computer skills.
• Preferred Training: GCLP, GCP, biosafety, and research ethics certification/training.

To apply

Applicants should provide: (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) graduate transcripts, (3) examples of relevant teaching experience or course materials, where available, and (4) a personal statement describing their teaching approach and experience working with diverse student populations. Applicants may also include an example of relevant scholarly work. Please upload these under the ‘Additional Files’ tab on the application page.

University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Organizational Profile

UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system.

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima-PIH’s sister organization and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade.

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.