Career in Cancer Research: TTCRC Invites Applications for Biorepository Officer in Kolkata
Pharm'Up 
The Tata Translational Cancer Research Centre (TTCRC), the dedicated research arm of the prestigious Tata Medical Center (TMC) in New Town, Kolkata, is seeking a highly organized and skilled professional for a critical support role. TTCRC integrates clinical and research activities to advance cancer care through a multidisciplinary, systems medicine approach.
Applications are invited for the position of Biorepository Officer / Biobank Research Assistant to manage operations for the Tata Medical Center Biorepository (TiMBR).
Position Summary: Biorepository Officer
The primary purpose of this role is to support investigator-driven clinical research by managing the daily activities of the leukaemia biobanking unit within TiMBR.
- Appointment: Initially for a term of one year, subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance review.
- Salary: At TTCRC scales linked to the candidate’s qualification and years of experience.
- Application Deadline: 15th October 2025.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
The Biorepository Officer is central to maintaining the quality and compliance of the biobank service, bridging clinical and research needs.
Biobank & Laboratory Duties
- Sample Management: Assume responsibility for the daily collection, processing, and storage of patient samples, including blood, bone marrow aspirates, body fluids, and tissues.
- Protocol Adherence: Maintain and strictly follow established biorepository protocols for patient consenting, collection, preparation, storage, and retrieval of samples.
- Clinical Coordination: Liaise effectively with nurses and hospital staff to manage the collection of surplus tissue samples with provided patient consent.
- Compliance: Ensure all work adheres to applicable institutional and regulatory body standards, and assist with necessary audits and inspections.
Data Management & Reporting
- Database Management: Oversee the biorepository database, including logging in specimens and promptly responding to requests for sample withdrawal.
- Data Annotation: Annotate and maintain pseudo-anonymised clinical data systematically linked to the banked samples.
- Documentation: Accountable for precise documentation of sample data, quality control (QC), and quality assurance (QA). Create and maintain files for current protocols and patient consent forms.
- Reporting: Contribute to the preparation of annual reports, grant reports, scientific publications, and external audits.
Person Specification: Education, Experience, and Skills
Education and Experience
- Education: A Master’s degree in a biological science or related field (or equivalent experience in a relevant technical/scientific role).
- Experience:
- Previous experience in laboratory-based research.
- Practical experience working with blood, tissue, and other clinical samples from patients/volunteers.
- Experience in laboratory safety procedures.
- Familiarity with data entry, particularly using any Laboratory Inventory Management Systems (LIMS), is beneficial.
Key Knowledge and Skills
- Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of general laboratory practice, techniques, and instrumentation, along with basic research methods and statistical procedures.
- Organizational Prowess: Excellent organization skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the proven ability to prioritize, plan, and manage a high volume of work under pressure.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective liaison with a wide range of clinicians, researchers, and staff.
- Professional Conduct: Unwavering discipline and regard for confidentiality and data security are mandatory.
This role requires a proactive and collaborative individual who can ensure the smooth and ethically compliant operation of a high-volume clinical biobank that is essential for cancer research at TMC/TTCRC.
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