Biomedical Specialist - Bilsborough Lab

Cedars-Sinai provides virtually every known gastroenterologic analytical procedure and treatment for digestive diseases and disorders. The Bilsborough Laboratory's Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Drug Discovery and Development unit is composed of research scientists and clinicians with experience in both the biopharmaceutical industry and clinical research.

The Bilsborough Lab's approach is to identify IBD patients with similar types of disease to better understand disease pathology and devise more effective treatments. IBD3 is a unique concept by design, in which an industry-caliber target discovery and development unit is integrated with an academic research program to accelerate the pace at which scientific findings are brought to bear on patient care. Research in the Bilsborough Lab seeks to personalize drug development and ensure that each patient receives the therapeutic treatment most suited to his or her disease. In doing so, we seek to accelerate the drug discovery process and help put new and effective therapeutic drugs on the market. To learn more, please visit: Bilsborough Research Lab | Cedars-Sinai (cedars-sinai.edu)

The Biomedical Specialist participates in project development for multiple clients and ensures compliance with all Federal and State accrediting agency requirements, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for good manufacturing practice (GMP) for cellular products in Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center (CBC). Performs all current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) related activities strictly according to SOPs, with accurate documentation, and assists quality control team with required testing activates. Proactively completes assigned projects, and uses GMP knowledge and experience to create good documentation and provide communication, guidance, and advice that contributes to the success of projects. Performs cellular, micro- and molecular biology procedures including Western blot, Northern blot, DNA/RNA, PCR, protein extraction, cell culture, Immunohistochemistry, and staining. Trains entry level staff on good manufacturing practices (cGMP)/GLP related activities. Performs routine and increasingly complex laboratory tasks and procedures and develops technical expertise in one or more areas relevant to research projects. Responsibilities include ordering and maintenance of lab equipment, and vendor management. Participates in research activities involving all aspects of the research or protocol process, including investigation, technical, testing/validation of results, and report findings.

• Performs tissue culture, aseptic technique, and writes standard operating procedures (SOPs) required for developing and processing clinical grade and research grade cellular products.
• Performs process development, validation, qualification and writing SOPs for cellular products in GMP/ good laboratory good practice (GLP) environment.
• Processes fresh and frozen cellular specimens and products using aseptic techniques, writing and recording controlled documents, and autoclaving for production.
• Responsible for coordinating with areas of research within hospital for specimen collection and/or data base entry.
• Assist others with laboratory procedures when needed.
• Work closely with team members to provide effective solutions to support research goals and objectives, including streamlining processes where possible.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with safety standards and procedures and ensures updated lab SOPs.
• Assist PI to prepare budget requests and manage approved budgets.
• Responsible for organizing instrument validation/service and maintenance purchase orders as needed.
• Will serve as the contact for all issues concerning the lab space including coordinating all repairs to equipment and space.
• Responsible for ordering all lab supplies (including office depot), general and researcher-specific, and maintaining contact with vendors to ensure availability and best cost for equipment or supplies needed by the group.
• Coordinates biowaste pickup, Liquid nitrogen, and CO2 delivery/pickup.
• Assist researchers with glass wash, autoclaving and misc lab duties (including but not limited to, aliquot of FBS, fungizone, antibiotics and assistance with basic tissue culture).
• Will be the first point of contact for all freezer alarm and system monitoring.
• Will be the point of contact for annual and semiannual maintenance (TC Hoods), TC incubator (Hepa Filter changes)
• Will provide entry into the space for any visitors and or repairs needed.
• May provide system administration and maintenance for the local workstation network.
• Leads and trains Research Lab Assistants, Research Fellow, lower level Research Associates, and other related support staff and may be requested by PI to take on specific supervisory activities.
• Orients new Research Fellows and/or Research Scientists to day-to-day lab operations and procedures.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to both internal and external customer needs utilizing available resources
• Collaborates to problem solve and make decisions to achieve desired outcomes
• Establishes effective working relationships with cross-functional team(s)
• Responds timely, effectively and appropriately to deliverables
• Shares knowledge, time and expertise to assist other members of the team

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related science/engineering field.

Experience and Skillset:

• Two (2) years experience GMP/GLP or equivalent regulated facility
• Demonstrated ability to apply cGMP knowledge to write procedures and manage projects.
• Experience working in an aseptic environment, biosafety cabinet and human and animal tissues.
• Comfortable handling multiple demands and/or manage complex and competing priorities.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and ability to support a level of work excellence and accuracy.
• Effective communicator in conveying and/or receiving written/verbal information to/from various audiences in different formats.