Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Careers – Laboratory Director

Job Title:   Laboratory Director
Organization: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Job ID: 5293
About FHCRC:
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), home of three Nobel
laureates, is an independent, non-profit research institution dedicated to the
development and advancement of biomedical research to eliminate cancer and
other potentially fatal diseases. Recognized internationally for its pioneering
work in bone-marrow transplantation, the Center’s five scientific divisions
collaborate to form a unique environment for conducting basic and applied
science.
About HCRI:
The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI)/Hutchinson Center Cancer Alliance is
a collaborative venture to establish a state-of-the-art cancer treatment
facility located in Kampala, Uganda. The aim of this joint effort between the
Program in Global Oncology (PiGO) at the Hutchinson Center, and the Uganda
Cancer Institute, is the development of new low-cost prevention and treatment
strategies for ameliorating the high burden of infection-related cancers.
Clinicians and scientists work together to enhance patient access to care,
diagnosis, and research-based treatment. The UCI/Hutchinson Center Cancer
Alliance seeks to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for
infection-associated cancers to benefit the millions of people in Uganda, the
United States, and worldwide who suffer from these malignancies. The PiGO is
additionally planning expansion into several countries worldwide, with the goal
of conducting high-quality research and capacity-building on an international
scale.
Job Summary: The Laboratory Director will assume program
leadership for the program’s laboratory needs and operations, as well as
supporting the oversight of the UCl/HCCA Laboratory Program in Uganda.
Currently, the UCl/HCCA results more than 25,000 lab tests annually in Uganda
and collaborates with at least three different laboratories in Kampala to
provide results for observational and translational studies on
infection-related cancers. Future research also includes clinical trials
evaluating the prevention and treatment for Burkitt’s Lymphoma. A new
state-of-the-art cancer training, research, and outpatient treatment facility
in Kampala will open in May 2015. This facility will contain specialized
diagnostic laboratories, specifically a Clinical, Molecular Diagnostics,
Immunology, Histopathology, and BSL-2 laboratories. The Laboratory Director
will ensure the successful start-up of the new labs, including hiring
personnel, organizing projects and processes, sourcing equipment as necessary
and overseeing its installation, and establishing a first-rate set of
laboratories compliant with GCP/GCLP, and CAP guidelines. This person will work
closely with the Program Head and the Research Director to evaluate the
laboratory program needs and establish priorities. The Laboratory Director will
manage the overall operations in Uganda, as well as ensure quality. This
position will also direct all day-to-day research laboratory activities,
administer laboratory policies, and manage laboratory staff.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Laboratory Activities and
Projects:
  • Work closely with the investigators and
    US-based lab team to prepare the Uganda-based laboratory for research
    studies to be run at the site. Assist with establishment of new
    technologies in the lab.
  • Support investigators with grant writing to
    ensure that lab operations are adequately considered and budgeted for.
  • Evaluate laboratory program growth needs
    and establish priorities. Work with leadership to create comprehensive
    strategic plans for short-term, mid-term, and long-term research goals.
  • Identify, prioritize, and coordinate
    establishment of new techniques and assays in the laboratories.
  • Actively participate in both formal and
    informal sharing of data amongst collaborating researchers and funding
    agencies.
  • Provide leadership/mentorship and training
    of visiting researchers/post-docs within the lab.
  • Serve as a bridge between senior managers
    and directors in the US and Uganda for on-going research activities.
2. Operations Management:
  • Mentors and oversees laboratory staff in
    accordance with FHCRC and Ugandan employment laws and regulations.
    Responsibilities will include oversight of hiring, training, daily
    responsibilities, performance management, etc.
  • Develop and administer laboratory
    policies. Oversee SOP and process development. Create new procedures and
    manuals according to protocol, IRB, grant/contract, collaborators, and
    FHCRC specifications.
  • With the technical assistance of FHCRC
    administrative staff, prepare, submit, and manage annual lab operating
    budget.
  • Manage the direction of workflow in the
    laboratory and execution of tasks of lab and ancillary staff.
  • Oversee the management of annual
    maintenance and service contracts and ensure compliant and smooth
    operations of laboratory equipment.
  • Oversee the coordination of other
    vendor/collaborator contract/agreements and renewals (e.g. standing
    orders, annual quotes from major suppliers, etc.) for reagents,
    consumables, PPE, and other lab supplies.
  • Manage and oversee all Laboratory Service
    Agreements with vendor laboratories/institutions.
  • Manage laboratory based research
    collaborations with outside institutions (new business development).
  • Obtain CAP accreditation in all HCRIU
    relevant research laboratories.
3. Relationship Building:
  • Build and grow strong working
    relationships with key stakeholders, including program investigators and
    other local laboratory directors in Uganda.
  • Publicly represent the UCI/HCCA laboratory
    program with external constituency groups, including community,
    government, and private organizations.
  • Develop working relationships with key
    vendors supporting the program’s work.
4. Capacity Building:
  • Establish strong working relationship with
    HCRIU laboratory staff and provide guidance on laboratory expectations and
    function.  Provide mentorship in
    laboratory leadership, as well as laboratory management.
  • Establish policies and procedures to
    enable systematic workflow to allow growth of all laboratories in function
    and volume.
  • Perform any other duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
  • The ideal candidate should preferably hold
    an Advanced degree (M.D. or Ph.D) with a concentration in Pathology,
    Hematopathology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Immunology, and/or
    Laboratory Medicine or a related field with at least two years
    postdoctoral research experience. A Bachelor’s degrees will be considered
    with appropriate experience.
  • Expertise in human clinical trial
    development and implementation.
  • At least five years’ experience including laboratory
    and staff management. 
  • Prior experience successfully setting up
    new laboratories.
  • Prior experience achieving laboratory
    accreditation.
  • Past CAP and/or GCLP/GCP experience.
  • Previous experience managing large,
    interdisciplinary groups.
  • Possess the ability to determine
    appropriate course of action in more complex situations.
  • Ability to work independently, exercise
    creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive work attitude.
  • Ability to manage multiple and
    simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of all
    medical, financial, and legal information.
  • Ability to complete work assignments
    accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both
    oral and written.
  • Ability to handle difficult situations
    involving staff, participants, physicians, and others in a professional
    manner.
NB: Both Expats and Ugandan Nationals are encouraged
to apply for this position. HCRI-Uganda is committed to non-discriminatory
hiring practices without consideration, distinction, exclusion or preference on
the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, political opinion, national
extraction or social origin, HIV status, handicap, or disability.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their
applications to: kcarl2@fredhutch.org and enter “Laboratory Director- 5293” in
the subject line.

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