Description

Position Title: Biobank Head

Department: Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER)

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

Contract Duration: Two (2) years, renewable based on performance

Position Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Qualifications

Education

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.

Experience

  • 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
  • Developed informed consent, data privacy, and biobank governance frameworks
  • Supported regulatory inspections and audits
  • Strong command of ISBER, ISO 20387/15189, GCLP/GCP, LIMS, and biosafety/QMS standards. Excellent leadership, project and financial management, and scientific writing/communication skills.
  • Experience establishing a national/regional biobank; integrating biobanking into clinical trials; working with international institutions or in LMIC/Africa settings; PMP/PRINCE2 certification; strong publication and grant-management record.

To apply 

Applicants should provide: (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) graduate transcripts, (3) examples of relevant teaching experience or course materials, where available, and (4) a personal statement describing their teaching approach and experience working with diverse student populations. Applicants may also include an example of relevant scholarly work. Please upload these under the ‘Additional Files’ tab on the application page.

University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Organizational Profile 

UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system. 

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima-PIH’s sister organization and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade. 

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team. 

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment: 

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

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