Biospecimens and Genetics Data Manager

Job Function Summary:

Involves gathering, analyzing, and curating a wide variety of research data, primarily involving human biofluids and genetics but also other clinical data elements. Participates in research by supporting data QC, ingesting data from external collaborators, creating datasets to share with researchers, summarizing collected data according, developing data best practices, and faciliating data related activities (e.g., biospecimens’ inventory, billing). Prepares reports, charts, tables, and other visual aids to interpret and communicate data.

Generic Scope

Professional who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments / projects / tasks of moderate scope and complexity; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action.

Custom Scope

The position is with the UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center (MAC) (http://memory.ucsf.edu), a dynamic multidisciplinary clinical research program investigating neurodegenerative diseases. Under the supervision of the MAC Genetics and Biospecimen Manager and the Director of Research Technology, the Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager will support and manage key aspects of program data workflow aspects of the Genetics and Biospecimen program data needs. The Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager supports our innovative and impactful biospecimens program that is critical to our research and translational activities, clinical and observational trials, and research activities. The Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager is responsible for supporting all aspects of data capture, data integration, results management, and reporting for more than 30 related specimen collection protocols involving multiple partners and laboratories. 

Key data management responsibilities of the Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager include discrepancy management, manual data review, data cleaning, data transfers, data merging, generating metrics, reporting. The Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager will write and maintain programmatic scripts with attention to accuracy, maintainability and reproducabilitiy in support of their work activities. The Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager will also provide hands-on data management support to fulfill requests for data sets  in support of research activities (including data sets sourced externally from the Specimen Meta Data Tool). They will support the Genetics and Biospecimen Program Manager in clarifying data validation errors, and improving overall data quality.

The Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager will also work closely with Genetics and Biospecimen Program Manager in all aspects of specimen transfers including querying the data repositories to identify samples, as well as being as supporting the preparation and transfer of data and results to the Memory and Aging Center.  

The Biospecimen and Genetics Data Manager will report to the Genetics and Biospecimen Program Manager for domain specific work, and the Director of Research Technology for data related work on an interim basis. This co-supervision structure is temporary and will transition to a dedicated data supervisor once that role is filled. 

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and minimum one year of experience or equivalent experience / training
• Working knowledge of research function
• Working skills in systems programming, scripting and statistical software packages
• Working skills in analysis and consultation
• Skills to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing
• Proven track record of success managing and maintaining accurate data in a complex data environment
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical analysis, data transformation and linking, data systems programming, and/or data schema design and documentation
• Knowledge of Freezerworks LIMS or similar systems
• Ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.   Clear, concise communication style with easy going attitude
• Ability to multitask and be organized and work quickly in a dynamic environment with competing priorities
• Prior experience working in a research environment, preferably in a wet-lab or closely with a wet-lab
• Excellent Excel and MS Office skills
• Proficiency in a programming language (python, R, etc.)
• Experience with source control management (e.g. git) and best practices for scripting

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of research or clinical data management experience

• Knowledge of HIPAA and best practices for securing protected health information

• Experience working with relational databases or software tools to design queries and reports

• Basic understanding of genetics and proteomics