About University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)

University of Global Health Equity is a health sciences university in Rwanda. An initiative of Partners In Health, UGHE is a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution

About This Opportunity

The position of Biobank Head at University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) located in Burera, Rwanda offers an opportunity for qualified professionals to contribute their knowledge and experience in a dynamic working environment. The organization seeks individuals who are motivated, reliable, and capable of performing their duties effectively while maintaining professional standards.

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 tasked with leading the planning, establishment, operationalization, accreditation, and continuous improvement of the biobank to assist clinical trials, translational research, precision medicine, genomics, oncology, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and population health research.

The Head is tasked with 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.

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

• guide 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.
• guide 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 create 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 assist, 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.

• guide 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.
• guide 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 create national and international collaborations.
• Build staff capacity through training, mentorship, and competency development in biobanking, GCP/GCLP, biosafety, and quality management.

• Communication
• Leadership
• Management
• Excel
• Audit
• Planning
• Research
• Training
• Administration
• Procurement

• 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 assist, 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.