Primary Function of Position:
The Clinical Research Lab Technician supports the daily operations of the pre-clinical laboratory by performing hands-on laboratory activities, equipment reprocessing, tissue preparation, inventory management, and laboratory logistics. This position ensures laboratory spaces, surgical instruments, equipment, materials, and tissue models are properly prepared, maintained, and ready to support safe and efficient lab activities.
The Clinical Research Lab Technician works closely with the Lab Coordinator and cross-functional teams to support development programs, special events, and laboratory operations while maintaining compliance with established safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Essential Job Duties:
1. Laboratory Setup, Cleanup & Reprocessing
• Prepare laboratory spaces, equipment, instruments, and training materials for scheduled pre-clinical studies and special events.
• Perform end-of-day laboratory cleanup, turnover, and room reset activities to ensure spaces are clean, organized, and ready for use.
• Perform cleaning, decontamination, inspection, reprocessing, and sterilization of surgical instruments and laboratory equipment according to established procedures.
• Assemble and prepare instrument trays, surgical instruments, equipment, and training materials prior to scheduled laboratory activities.
• Organize and maintain decontamination, sterilization, storage, and laboratory work areas to support efficient and compliant operations.
• Reprocess standard and non-standard laboratory equipment and devices according to established procedures.
2. Tissue Handling & Preparation
• Handle, dissect, and prepare ex-vivo tissues, cadaveric specimens, and other biological or surgical training models according to established protocols.
• Prepare, maintain, and properly handle tissue models in accordance with applicable safety, quality, and laboratory procedures.
• Ensure appropriate labeling, storage, tracking, and disposal of biological materials.
• Maintain specimen inventory and usage records as required.
• Follow established PPE, biosafety, tissue-handling, and disposal requirements.
3. Equipment & Technical Support
• Assist in managing Intuitive Surgical Robotic Platforms and supplemental equipment used for clinical programs, laboratory activities, and special events.
• Set up, configure, and verify Intuitive Surgical Robotic Platforms and associated equipment to ensure readiness for laboratory activities.
• Perform routine equipment inspections and basic operational checks.
• Troubleshoot and provide basic operational support for laboratory equipment, including robotic platforms, video equipment, electrosurgical units, and other devices.
• Escalate equipment issues, supply shortages, safety concerns, or other operational problems promptly to the appropriate team.
• Support equipment movement, system placement, and bay assignments as required for laboratory readiness.
4. Logistics, Inventory & Materials Management
• Maintain inventory of surgical instruments, equipment, accessories, tissue models, laboratory supplies, and training materials.
• Monitor inventory levels and support replenishment to ensure materials are available for upcoming laboratory activities.
• Order and track laboratory supplies as needed.
• Coordinate shipping and receiving of instruments, equipment, accessories, tissue models, and other training materials for onsite and offsite activities.
• Support laboratory logistics, including room readiness, system movements, and other pre-lab operational activities.
5. Laboratory Organization, Safety & Compliance
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe laboratory spaces in accordance with established procedures.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols, standard operating procedures, quality requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support compliance with applicable animal care and laboratory requirements, including IACUC, USDA, and other relevant standards.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, documentation, and filing systems in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Identify and report safety concerns, equipment issues, process gaps, or other conditions that may affect laboratory readiness.
• Follow required PPE practices when working with biological materials, cadaveric specimens, laboratory equipment, and cleaning or decontamination processes.
6. Team & Operational Support
• Work closely with the Lab Coordinator and cross-functional teams to execute day-to-day laboratory activities and priorities.
• Communicate task completion, equipment issues, inventory or supply gaps, and operational concerns in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams regarding laboratory logistics, equipment availability, inventory needs, and operational support.
• Support multiple concurrent laboratory activities while maintaining laboratory readiness and established quality and safety standards.
• Provide professional operational support to internal and external customers participating in laboratory and training activities.
• Support general laboratory administration, documentation, and process improvements as needed.
Required Skills and Experience:
• Experience as a laboratory technician, sterile processing technician, veterinary technician, or in a comparable laboratory, medical device, animal research, or pre-clinical environment.
• Experience working with biological materials, tissue models, surgical instruments, or laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of sterile processing, decontamination, or laboratory reprocessing practices.
• Ability to follow established procedures, protocols, and safety requirements.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and organizational skills.
• Basic inventory and materials-management skills.
• Ability to communicate issues, task status, and operational needs effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Working knowledge of common computer applications, including Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Consistent and reliable attendance.
Required Education and Training:
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or relevant technical education preferred.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed primarily in laboratory and office environments with frequent exposure to biological tissues, cadaveric specimens, laboratory equipment, and cleaning or decontamination materials. The position requires adherence to established laboratory safety protocols, biosafety procedures, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including scrubs, gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.
Responsibilities include prolonged standing and walking, frequent bending, reaching, pushing and pulling, moving laboratory equipment, preparing training spaces, and lifting materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. The position may require supporting multiple concurrent laboratory or research activities in a fast-paced environment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
• 3–5 years of experience in an animal research, pre-clinical, surgical training, medical device, or comparable laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with Intuitive Surgical Robotic Platforms and associated accessories.
• Familiarity with surgical procedures, surgical terminology, and surgical training models.
• Experience with tissue handling, dissection, or laboratory tissue-preparation procedures.
• Familiarity with regulated laboratory environments and applicable requirements, including IACUC, USDA, AAALAC, or similar standards.
• Experience troubleshooting or supporting laboratory, surgical, video, or electrosurgical equipment.
