Position: Director of Research Operations (Full-time)
About St. Kitts Biomedical Research Foundation
The St. Kitts Biomedical Research Foundation (SKBRF) is a research organization devoted to advancing the development of therapies for human diseases and the application of related models of disease pathophysiology to drug and device evaluation. SKBRF applies extensive expertise in many areas of therapeutic and diagnostic research for which clinically relevant models are feasible, focusing on ophthalmic, central nervous system and metabolic research, as well as pharmacokinetic and safety studies.
Job Summary
The Director of Research Operations (DRO) oversees the technical team and testing facility infrastructure essential for preclinical study execution. The DRO works closely with the Chief Scientific Officer, Facility Director, Study Directors, veterinarians, sample management, project management, and quality assurance in achieving scientific, animal care and quality goals. The DRO additionally works with the training department and subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure all research technicians and research support personnel are trained to fulfill responsibilities.
Essential Job Responsibilities
1. Leadership: Lead technician teams supporting Study Directors in the executing of preclinical studies, coordinating technician department and study assignments, schedules, and professional development. Oversee research infrastructure maintenance, quality, safety, and associated corrective and preventative actions. Provide and coordinate Research Operations teams training.
2. Protocol Compliance: Ensure study participant familiarity and compliance with study protocols and corresponding IACUC protocols.
3. Data Integrity and Management: Ensure data capture and management performed by research technicians is conducted in compliance with the data collection plan for all studies, ensuring data acquisition, documentation, quality control, collation, and analysis is conducted in accordance with study protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and best practice. Serve as applications SME or Application Owner (AO) for research operation software, e.g., LabGuru LIMS system, electronic animal records, and Eupry environmental monitoring.
4. Documentation: Supervise research technical team documentation for all studies to ensure study data and events, including protocol deviations, unanticipated test system responses, and appropriate corrective action are accurately verified and documented at the time that they occur.
5. QC/QA: Supervise and apply processes to ensure research technical team data (paper and electronic records) and equipment maintenance logs undergo appropriate quality control and Quality Assurance (QA) review, as appropriate, prior to reporting, archiving or external distribution. Contributes to SOP maintenance and preparation for compliance audits and response to QA findings. Implement CAPA.
6. Operations Compliance and Outcome Reporting: Oversee occupational safety and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) programs. Develop annual occupational safety and CAPA reports for management to guide improvements to practice and risk reduction.
7. Communication: Communicate management actions, policy updates and operationally critical information to Research Technician and research support teams, advising Team Leads in their communication to teams.
8. Third-Party Engagement: Engage with vendors and suppliers to identify laboratory equipment and supplies required for effective preclinical research and improvements to practice.
9. Business Development: Host client and vendor visits, representing and presenting the facility research operations. Contribute to preparation for compliance audits of preclinical research and animal programs.
10. Capability Expansion: Lead implementation of improvements to research operations in consultation with the CEO and CBO and provide training/consultation where appropriate.
Qualifications
· Education level/Certifications/Licensures
- Requires BS in the life sciences or related field.
· Experience
- Minimum 10 years laboratory experience working in vivo models, including nonhuman primate GLP studies.
- Minimum of 8 years’ experience managing large teams (i.e., 40-50 employees).
· Specific competencies
- Expertise in primate research methodologies.
- Strong strategic leadership skills.
- Ability to train and coach new leaders.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills including technical writing.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Excellent accountability, attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced and time pressured environment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, electronic data capture and quality management systems.
Interested candidates may send their resumes directly to the attention of Akela Edinborough via email address recruitment@skbrf.org on or before July 13, 2025.
Contact Information
Company St. Kitts Biomedical Research Foundation
Department Human Resources Department
Address P. O. Box 6018, Lower Bourryeau Estate, St. Kitts
Phone (869) 465-7382
