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Research Associate, Translational Sciences & Clerical Innovation (TraCI) Biobank
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Associate, Translational Sciences & Clerical Innovation (TraCI) Biobank at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Position Purpose:
The research associate position at Wayne State University Biobank combines applied artificial intelligence (AI) and data expertise with biobanking operations expertise to advance the collection, management, transformation, and utilization of biospecimens and research data. This role drives the development and implementation of AI-enabled solutions that improve research project execution, specimen lifecycle management, and data integration pipelines. In addition, the role will focus on biobank operations, specimen workflow support, and research project coordination in compliance with federal regulations, accreditation standards, and institutional policies. This position will report directly to the Biobank Manager.
Essential Functions:
Facilitate biobank research data management and integration by auditing, cataloging, evaluating source medical records and biospecimen research data.
Assess data for quality, format, completeness, and personal health identifiers (PHI)/de-identification status produce a formal Data Inventory & Assessment Report.
Map source fields to destination system and define transformation rules, logic, and Artificial Intelligence Natural Language Processing tool selections for extracting and normalizing unstructured clinical data for research.
Build and document scalable, automated research data transformation pipelines with integrated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance checkpoints, implemented as repeatable pipeline components, to support ingestion into the PHOENIX Prevalence Profiler and other research data systems.
Execute end-to-end testing of transformed research datasets against acceptance criteria, remediate data quality issues, and deliver final aggregated source and output research datasets.
Maintain accurate specimen and data records in OnCore, inventory systems, and other tracking platforms; support inventory reconciliation and data cleanup.
Identify biobanking and research workflows suited for AI, automation, data analysis, or digital process optimization. • Design, prototype, and support AI-enabled tools for specimen tracking, inventory review, documentation support, standard operating procedures (SOP) navigation, discrepancy review, research reporting, and operational decision support. • Develop workflow maps, AI use-case inventories, prompt libraries, tool documentation, and implementation guides for AI-supported biobanking and research processes. • Monitor AI-assisted tools for accuracy, usability, and operational risk; support validation activities, document tool limitations, and ensure AI outputs are used appropriately. • Train and support research staff in approved AI-assisted tools, digital workflows, and automation processes; contribute to continuous improvement efforts that strengthen research efficiency and audit readiness.
Manage specimen lifecycle activities including receipt, accessioning, labeling, aliquoting, storage, retrieval, distribution, and shipment in accordance with established protocols.
Responsible for physical sample verification and consent validation prior to sample distribution. Oversee extraction of patient samples for research and clinical testing; ensure sample quality for diagnostic testing or other analyses.
Develop and maintain environmental control protocols including storage at ambient and - 80°C temperatures, including freezer maintenance.
Support inventory reconciliation, discrepancy resolution, quality control checks, and operational reporting for all biobank samples.
Maintain chain-of-custody documentation, barcoding accuracy, and compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) protocols across all specimen handling activities.
Participate in on call and after hour coverage for freezer and environmental emergencies.
Support active research projects by coordinating specimen requests, data pulls, and sample utilization profiles in alignment with IRB-approved protocols.
Maintain required human subjects training through CITI Program (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) and ensure IRB, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are current for all biobank protocols inclusive of but not limited to forms, literature, and adverse event reporting.
Produce comprehensive technical documentation packages including data dictionaries, workflow runbooks, field mapping specifications, and known limitations. Support research data collation for the Study information portal (SIP) portal in OnCore and assist with technology transfer procedures including data use agreements and material transfer agreements.
Participate in Biobank recruitment event planning and execution; contribute to grant development and research innovation efforts.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Doctorate degree
Doctorate in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Health Informatics, or a closely related field. A combination of equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered.
Experience: Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years' experience).
Prior experience working with biobank laboratories, OnCore Biobanking software, with the Human Investigation Review Experience in biobanking, biorepository operations, laboratory operations, or biospecimen lifecycle management. Demonstrated experience applying AI tools, NLP (Natural Language Processing), automation, or data workflow solutions to research or operational problems. Familiarity with OnCore, specimen tracking, chain-of-custody documentation, and biobank SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). Knowledge of IRB and HIPAA compliance processes in a biobank and/or clinical research environment. Experience with research data transformation pipelines, research data integration, and clinical informatics is strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills,and Abilities:
Deep understandingof biospecimen lifecycle: collection, processing, storage, retrieval, anddistribution.
Proficiency in AI/NLP tools applied to research data transformation and clinical textnormalization.
Ability to designand implement automated HIPAA-compliant data pipelines for research systemingestion.
Strong knowledge ofOnCore system, including barcoding, sampleprocessing/management/storage/retrieval.
Understanding of responsible AI use: human oversight,output validation, documentation of limitations, and operational riskmanagement.
Ability to translateoperational and research challenges into practical AI-enabled or automatedsolutions.
Knowledge of IRB,HIPAA, CITI, and regulatory frameworks governing biobanking and human subjects'research.
Experience producingtechnical documentation packages: data dictionaries, field mapping specs,workflow runbooks, and SOPs.
Skilled communicatorwith the ability to work across research, operations, IT, quality, andleadership teams.
Highly organizedwith a strong capacity to manage and prioritize multiple research projectsconcurrently.
Consistentlyexhibits professional demeanor, accuracy,timeliness, and thoroughness in all deliverables.
Ability tocritically evaluate AI-generated outputs and ensure appropriateness forresearch and operational use.
School/College/Division:
The Division of Research & Innovation
Primary Department:
H0905 - VP Research
Employment Type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Research

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Annual Salary: TBD

Working Conditions:
Some evening and weekend work is required.
Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.