PatientsLikeMe is excited to be adding a new Director, Bio Banking in our Cambridge, MA headquarters. This role will be responsible for the strategy and execution of biospecimen collection, processing, and storage and associated responsibilities. These samples will be optimized for measurements with multiple high-throughput molecular (omics) technologies (DNA and RNA sequencing, RRBS or other methylomic methodologies, proteomics, phosphoproteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics). 

You will be required to build the infrastructure or necessary collaborations to exponentially scale mobile blood and other biospecimen (e.g., urine) collections in a way that minimally burdens the participant. SOPs for optimized sample collection must be developed such that they are maximally viable from a cost and sample integrity standpoint. You will work closely with other members of scientific operations and/or program management to ensure logistic success for collection, and with data management with respect to tracking and storing information about the sample and collection procedures in a way that conforms to rigorous privacy and audit-worth standards. 

This position will be required to optimize specimen collection kits, and the impact of existing and innovative collection methodologies on the downsream biological measurements. Relationships with vendors (phlebotomy, logistics, kitting, fulfilment, LIMS, biobanks) will be established, contracted and maintained along with knowledge of new technologies as they are in development and s/he will be capable of gathering appropriate variables for financial modeling. A keen eye for creative activity in this field is a must (e.g., new ways of collecting or measuring biosamples to continually lower the participation burden).

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• BS/MS in a biology-related field (Ph.D preferred but not required)
• 10+ years of experience in running and scaling a biobank
• Deep knowledge of the blood sample handling techniques and procedures
• Detailed understanding about and experience with the impact of changes in sample handling and processing on downstream molecular omics measurement platforms
• Expertise in key trends in sample collection, storage and management
• Experience with building or managing LIMS systems for sample tracking
• Proven track record in scaling a biobanking product
• Experience assigning value of biospecimens under a variety of different contexts (e.g., sample type, additional meta data associated with a sample)
• Independent and creative thinker and enabler requiring minimum oversight
• Strong commitment to patient privacy, comfort and safety
• Familiar with writing IRB protocols with respect to biobanking aspects
• Strong analytical and decision-making ability to synthesize complex and diverse inputs to a problem, and recommend solutions/preferred options.
• Communication skills, including written and oral communication of executive level information and recommendations
• Ability to work on multiple projects in parallel
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills including negotiation, managing meetings and group dynamics, ability to balance concerns of management with objectives of cross-functional team
• Has experience hiring, managing and mentoring others
• Creates a high-functioning environment and demonstrates high levels of emotional intelligence with individual personalities on a team
• Ability to recognize and capitalize upon the strengths of others
• Sensitivity to potentially conflicting agendas and ability to maintain objectivity in high-pressure situations