Repository Technician – Laboratory Biospecimen Management

About the role

The Repository Technician will manage the biospecimen repository for the HVTN Immunology Laboratory, ensuring specimen integrity, traceability and compliance with Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP). The role combines hands‑on specimen handling, equipment oversight and laboratory safety responsibilities.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day operation of the liquid‑nitrogen and –80 °C storage systems, maintaining accurate inventories in the LIMS.
• Accession, retrieve, ship and document biological specimens in line with IATA, GCLP and sponsor SOPs.
• Generate and quality‑control Master Thaw Lists and Individual Thaw Lists for laboratory testing.
• Monitor repository capacity, reorganise storage and dispose of expired specimens.
• Coordinate calibration, qualification and servicing of repository equipment and manage vendor relationships.
• Act as Laboratory Safety Officer, conduct risk assessments, safety inspections and deliver safety training.
• Perform GCLP compliance reviews, maintain SOPs and support internal and external audits.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree or BTech in Biomedical Technology or related field, or equivalent medical technician certification.
• Minimum five years’ experience in a GCLP‑compliant laboratory environment in South Africa.
• Valid IATA certification for international biological shipments.
• Proven experience with LIMS for specimen management; familiarity with LDMS and LabWare is advantageous.

Required skills

• LIMS (specimen management)
• LDMS
• LabWare
• IATA certification
• Advanced Excel
• SharePoint
• Veeva