Biobank Head

Position Title

Biobank Head

Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER)

UGHE-AVEGA Biobank and UGHE, Kigali. Frequent travel to the Butaro campus, Northern Province, Burera District, Rwanda

Two (2) years, renewable based on performance

The Biobank Head provides strategic, scientific, technical, and operational leadership for the establishment and management of the UGHE-AVEGA Biobank, a core research infrastructure of the Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER). The position is responsible for leading the planning, establishment, operationalization, accreditation, and continuous improvement of the biobank to support clinical trials, translational research, precision medicine, genomics, oncology, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and population health research.

The Head is responsible for the overall administration and day-to-day management of biobank operations, including biospecimen acquisition, processing, storage, inventory management, retrieval, distribution, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) administration, quality management systems, biosafety and biosecurity, regulatory compliance, equipment management, financial oversight, and supervision of biobank personnel.

Reporting to the Clinical research lead/Director of IGHER, the Biobank Head works closely with the Head of the UGHE-AVEGA Clinical Trial Unit to ensure seamless integration of biobanking services into all clinical trials and research activities conducted through UGHE. The position also collaborates closely with the Biobank Project Consultant (External Scientific Consultant) to establish the biobank according to international standards, develop governance structures, implement quality systems, strengthen institutional capacity, and position UGHE as a national and regional centre of excellence in biobanking.

The Biobank Head will play a pivotal leadership role in developing institutional policies, standard operating procedures, governance frameworks, regulatory systems, quality assurance programs, and strategic partnerships that ensure the biobank operates in accordance with ISBER Best Practices, ISO 20387, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and all applicable national and international regulatory requirements.

• Lead the establishment and operation of the UGHE-AVEGA Biobank and align activities with UGHE/IGHER priorities.
• Establish SOPs, Quality Management Systems, governance, and regulatory compliance, including preparation for ISO 20387 accreditation and ISBER Best Practices.
• Lead implementation and management of the LIMS and ensure secure, accurate, and traceable data management.
• Oversee biospecimen management, quality, traceability, security, staffing, equipment, budgets, and daily operations.
• Integrate biobanking with clinical trials and research programs and develop national and international collaborations.
• Build staff capacity through training, mentorship, and competency development in biobanking, GCP/GCLP, biosafety, and quality management.

PhD (preferred) or Master's in Biobanking, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biomedical/Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Genomics, Public Health, Clinical Research, or related field. Certification in GCLP, GCP, ISO 20387, ISO 15189, ISBER Best Practices, or QMS/Laboratory Management is a plus.

• 8+ years in biobank management, biomedical research, clinical laboratory management, or clinical trial support, including 5+ years in senior leadership supervising multidisciplinary teams
• Proven track record establishing or expanding a biobank/biospecimen repository - infrastructure planning, workflow development, and operations
• Experience implementing LIMS and laboratory/biobank Quality Management Systems
• Hands-on management of biospecimen collection, processing, cryopreservation, storage, and distribution
• Equipment lifecycle management (procurement through calibration/maintenance)
• Experience managing donor-funded programs, budgets, and strategic/donor reporting
• Developed SOPs, quality manuals, and governance structures (Oversight/Scientific Advisory/Data Access Committees)
• Prepared labs for ISO 20387, ISO 15189, or ISBER accreditation; built CAPA and audit systems
• Prepared IRB/ethics/regulatory documentation; ensured compliance with biospecimen collection, storage, and export regulations