Scientific Coordinator

Job Overview

Charles River Laboratories (CRL) is seeking a Scientific Coordinator to join our integrated toxicology (ITox) team at the Kansas City site. This site is the first of its kind, bridging CRL’s Discovery and Safety Assessment business units, while bringing automation to standard lead optimization toxicology study models to deliver rapid study results to our clients. When you join our team, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe.

The Scientific Coordinator role supports a key shift in the way studies are managed in SA, aligning with the vision of the integrated toxicology (ITox) business model. This role will be responsible for the coordination, supervision, and execution support of all study related activities at the facility while liaising closely with the study director. This role is also responsible for assisting in the compilation of study data/reports and providing study related information to Sponsors including written and verbal communication.

The pay range for this position is $72,000 USD/annually.  

Job Description

• Engage in the creation/customization of planning tools to facilitate prioritization of study deliverables
• Interact regularly with sponsors: send amendments and documents for review and signature, respond to sponsor-requests for information and tables, and assist with sponsor on-site visits.
• Serve as primary point of contact to the sponsor while working closely with the Study Director.
• Preferred experience with lead optimization study design, execution and/or Discovery operations.
• Serve as a model as it relates to effective time management, communication, and utilization of resources. Provide leadership and motivation to departmental personnel.
• Ensure that schedule for study deliverables is met and any impacts to timelines are addressed promptly.
• Monitor studies within the Vivarium and provide summarized details about animal health and study details as needed to study director, laboratory animal medicine, and/or Sponsor.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership qualities including an agile mindset; understanding, collaborating, learning, and staying flexible to achieve high-performing results.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and problem solve in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiar/comfortable at a higher volume/pace environment.
• Write initial protocol drafts, distribute draft protocols for internal and/or sponsor review, and coordinate amendment/revision process.
• Coordinate with principal investigator(s) internally and externally to ensure quality and timeliness of respective study phase.
• Facilitate signature/approval process for protocols, amendments, and other required forms.
• Generate, format, and review data for reporting.
• Maintain study in-life and reporting timelines (deliverables).
• Ensure that all study information is organized and quality controlled
• Assist in IACUC form preparation and perform IACUC literature searches.
• Assist in recording and remediation of study errors.
• May conduct sponsor/visitor tours and interact with clients.
• Through collaboration across functional areas at the site, be available to assist as experience allows to support overall study execution.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned, including on study in-life procedures.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent in scientific related discipline preferred.
• Experience: 1-2 years experience as a Study Coordinator / Study Supervisor or 3-5 years as a Lead Tech/Vet (or similar role).
• Certification/Licensure: AALAS certification ALAT/LAT level strongly preferred; or other applicable certification/licensure.
• Other: Demonstrated advanced technical and analytical skills. Effective communication and leadership skills. Ability to handle a variety of laboratory animals. Proficient in technical skills and the operation of data collection equipment. Knowledge of federal regulations and guidelines relating to the care of laboratory animals required. Understanding of basic, intermediate, and complex study design and protocols. Ability to organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines. Computer literacy including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States without a sponsor visa, now or in the future.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Must regularly operate a computer and occasionally operate other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Regularly provides information to and receives information from/through various technologies, media, sources, and contacts. Must be able to accurately exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must occasionally move about inside the office and throughout the vivarium while interacting with animals, caging, bedding substrate, to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to perform procedures, which require, talking, hearing, standing, or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (PPE) according to OSHA regulations and company standards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Works in a research environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, working at noise levels ranging
from moderate to loud.
• The employee occasionally observes and/or interacts with live animals with risk of exposure to allergens, zoonotic disease, and biohazards.
• The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high depending upon the species housed.
• General office working conditions, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally wears protective clothing (goggles, face shield, surgical mask, cap, gloves, scrubs, boots), works near sharp objects, works near toxic or caustic chemicals, and works near biohazards.
• Occasionally works near live animals with risk of exposure to allergens and/or zoonotic disease(s) and is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, unpleasant odors, and wet, humid and/or extreme temperature conditions.
• This position requires overtime, weekend, holiday, and/or after hours shift coverage, as needed.