Research Technician

Job Title: Research Technician Job Description
This Research Technician role supports a CAP-accredited, BSL2+ biorepository and biospecimen processing core facility that provides centralized expertise and infrastructure for basic, translational, and clinical research. The position focuses on standardized biospecimen processing and biobanking to enable investigator-driven research projects and clinical trials across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, dermatology, orthopedics, trauma, pediatrics, and infectious diseases. You will handle a variety of human samples and contribute directly to more than 150 active research studies, gaining broad exposure to biobanking, molecular biology, histology, and translational research while helping advance discoveries that improve patient care.
Responsibilities
- Perform a variety of routine and complex technical duties involved in standardized biospecimen processing and biobanking in support of investigator-driven research projects and clinical trials.
- Follow written procedures, protocols, and policies with careful adherence to quality control and quality assurance practices.
- Receive, process, store, and ship human samples, including blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, hair, and other bodily fluids, in strict alignment with study protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Understand and apply study IRB requirements and SOPs when handling biospecimens to ensure regulatory and ethical compliance.
- Collect samples when required, including responding to onsite needs such as sample collection or addressing freezer issues.
- Process samples using sterile technique, including aliquoting, freezing, separating serum, and handling various biospecimen types.
- Process Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs), including separating these cells from patient blood, cryopreserving them, and thawing them to confirm future usability for immune system studies.
- Operate laboratory equipment such as centrifuges and liquid nitrogen freezers to support biospecimen processing and storage.
- Use REDCap and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software to document sample information, maintain accurate records, and complete electronic processing forms.
- Maintain high data entry accuracy in electronic processing forms and other documentation related to biospecimen handling.
- Work fully gowned in appropriate personal protective equipment, including face shields and double gloves, while processing human samples.
- Practice and maintain sterile technique at all times to ensure sample integrity and prevent contamination.
- Manage incoming samples received via mail and courier, and coordinate logistics for shipping samples out to collaborating sites or studies.
- Support the mission of the biospecimen core facility by contributing to efficient operations and reliable biobanking services for clinical trials and research studies.
- Participate in on-call duties once per month, responding to pager alerts outside normal business hours and going onsite as needed to collect samples or address urgent equipment and freezer issues.
Essential Skills
- At least 2 years of experience handling and processing samples within a clinical laboratory environment.
- Strong understanding of sterility and sterile technique when working with human biospecimens.
- Proficiency in pipetting and routine laboratory techniques used in sample processing.
- Experience operating centrifuges for processing blood and other bodily fluids.
- Ability to process blood samples, including separating PBMCs and preparing them for cryopreservation and future use.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail in data entry and completion of electronic processing forms.
- Reliability, strong work ethic, and commitment to following established protocols and procedures.
- Willingness to listen, learn, and follow guidance from established laboratory leadership and senior staff.
- Consistent attention to detail in all aspects of biospecimen handling, documentation, and equipment use.
- Eagerness to learn and develop skills in biobanking, molecular biology, histology, and translational research.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience using REDCap for research data capture and documentation is highly preferred.
- Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to track and manage biospecimens is highly preferred.
- Associates degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology, or another science-related field is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with processing a wide range of human samples, including blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, hair, and other bodily fluids.
- Comfort working in a CAP-accredited, BSL2+ laboratory environment with standardized biospecimen processing workflows.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, research-focused setting that supports numerous concurrent clinical trials and research studies.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple sample workflows while maintaining rigorous documentation.
- Effective communication skills to coordinate with research teams, couriers, and other laboratory staff.
- Flexibility to participate in monthly on-call rotations and respond to urgent needs outside standard working hours.
Work Environment
This position is 100% onsite in a CAP-accredited, BSL2+ biorepository and biospecimen processing core facility that supports more than 150 active research studies. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition, you will participate in an on-call rotation once per month, covering Wednesday through Tuesday, including weekends. On-call responsibilities occur outside normal business hours and may involve late nights, early mornings, weekends, and most holidays, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day, when the department is closed. While on-call, you must respond to pager alerts and go onsite when needed, for example to collect a sample or address a freezer or equipment issue. The work involves processing human biospecimens using centrifuges, liquid nitrogen freezers, pipettes, and related laboratory equipment, as well as working with REDCap and LIMS systems for data and sample management. Staff work fully gowned, including face shields and double gloves, and consistently practice sterile technique. The environment is highly collaborative, research-driven, and focused on quality, accuracy, and supporting clinical trials and translational research that improve patient care.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.75 - $24.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 10, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Durham,NC. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.