Part-Time Research Data and Biospecimen Coordinator – Mannas Lab
Vancouver Prostate Centre
Location: Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC
Affiliation: Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia**
Appointment: Part-time, 0.3 FTE
Reports to: Principal Investigator/Postdoctoral Fellow/Lab Manager
The Vancouver Prostate Centre (VPC) has an exceptional opportunity available for a Temporary, Part-Time Research Data and Biospecimen Coordinator to join Dr. Miles Mannas’ lab.
VPC and M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences
The VPC houses a large, multi-disciplinary research program that undertakes basic, clinic, and translational research. It is one of six specialized research centres in the M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences, a National Centre of Excellence, and a designated Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research. The VPC is affiliated with the University of British Columbia (Department of Urologic Sciences) and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Further details on VPC and its research programs are available at www.prostatecentre.com.
Position Summary
The Mannas Lab at the Vancouver Prostate Centre is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Part-Time Research Data and Biospecimen Coordinator to support the lab’s tissue imaging, biospecimen tracking, and research data infrastructure.
This role is ideal for someone who is meticulous, systems-oriented, and comfortable working across research databases, specimen inventories, image metadata, and workflow documentation. The successful candidate will help ensure that tissue samples, imaging records, storage locations, and study data are accurately tracked and linked across the lab’s research activities.
The position will support a growing translational research program involving prostate biopsy and prostatectomy specimens, as well as kidney and bladder tissue workflows, with responsibility for maintaining high-quality records in systems such as REDCap and OpenSpecimen.
This is a critical role for ensuring research integrity, sample traceability, and long-term scalability of the lab’s biospecimen and imaging operations.
Key Responsibilities
Biospecimen and Storage Management
- Maintain accurate records of biospecimen location, storage status, sample type, and processing history
- Track movement of tissue specimens across imaging, storage, pathology, and downstream research workflows
- Reconcile specimen inventories and help ensure freezer maps, storage logs, and sample records remain current
- Support accurate labeling, storage organization, and retrieval of biospecimens
- Help maintain chain of custody and traceability for clinically derived research samples
Imaging and Metadata Coordination
- Maintain organized records for all acquired tissue images, including specimen identifiers, metadata, and file organization
- Ensure that imaging records are correctly linked to specimen records, pathology information, and study identifiers
- Help oversee naming conventions, folder structure, metadata consistency, and archiving practices for imaging files
- Support quality control checks to identify missing, inconsistent, or incorrectly linked data
- Support efficient data organization and standardization workflows across imaging, specimen, and project records
Database and Research Data Management
- Enter, update, and quality check records in REDCap and other study tracking tools
- Support future implementation and maintenance of OpenSpecimen workflows
- Help develop and maintain standardized data entry practices across sample, imaging, and project records
- Perform periodic audits to ensure consistency between databases, specimen inventories, image repositories, and project trackers
- Assist with generation of summaries, reports, and internal tracking documents as needed
- Help identify opportunities for workflow automation or AI-assisted organization of research data and metadata, in alignment with lab and institutional data-governance practices
Workflow Development and Lab Operations Support
- Help develop and maintain SOPs for sample tracking, image file management, data entry, and record reconciliation
- Work with lab staff to improve data flow between specimen collection, imaging, storage, and downstream analysis
- Help identify process gaps and support the creation of more reliable systems for long-term lab growth
- Assist with onboarding or training related to database use, specimen tracking, and workflow documentation
- Participate in lab meetings and operational planning discussions as needed
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as:
- Biology
- Health Sciences
- Biomedical Science
- Biotechnology
- Data coordination
- Clinical research administration
- or a related discipline
- Experience in research coordination, specimen management, database management, or laboratory operations
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
- Experience maintaining structured records, inventories, or research datasets
- Comfort working with sensitive sample and research data requiring high accuracy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and reliably in a multidisciplinary research environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with REDCap
- Familiarity with OpenSpecimen or willingness to learn biospecimen management platforms
- Experience with biospecimen tracking, freezer inventory management, or pathology-linked sample workflows
- Experience with image file organization, metadata management, or digital pathology/imaging workflows
- Familiarity with translational research, clinically derived tissue samples, or academic lab operations
- Experience developing SOPs, quality control procedures, or audit processes
- Comfort working with Excel, spreadsheets, shared drives, and structured naming/filing systems
- Experience with workflow automation or AI-assisted data organization for research operations (e.g., metadata extraction, automated quality checks, file standardization, structured data reconciliation, or document standardization)
- Basic familiarity with scripting or technical tools that improve data workflow efficiency (e.g., Excel automation, Python, APIs, or other research data tools) is an asset
- Ability to use automation or AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly in environments requiring strong privacy, accuracy, and data-governance practices
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Is highly detail-oriented and reliable
- Enjoys building order and consistency across complex workflows
- Understands that data integrity and specimen integrity are closely linked
- Is comfortable identifying discrepancies and following them through to resolution
- Can help create systems that reduce risk and make the lab more scalable
- Works well with both technical staff and scientific investigators
- Thinks proactively about how to improve efficiency without compromising accuracy, traceability, or data quality
Why This Role Matters
This position will play an important role in strengthening the lab’s research infrastructure by ensuring that:
- biospecimens are traceable
- imaging data are correctly linked and organized
- databases are current and accurate
- storage records are reliable
- sample and data systems can support future molecular, imaging, and translational studies
Compensation
Starting salary range for this position is $55,000–$60,000 per annum. Note the salary will be pro-rated to reflect part-time status (0.3 FTE).
Application Materials
To apply for this position, please email [email protected] with subject line Research Data and Biospecimen Coordinator Mannas Lab with the following items attached:
· Current CV or resume
· Cover Letter
· Contact information for 2-3 references
Note: Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest. However, due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.
Pay: $55,000.00-$60,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
