Children’s Clinical University Hospital (CCUH) was established in 1899. CCUH, located in Riga, is a health care services provider in Latvia only for children, with 258 beds and around 2000 health care professionals. In Latvia, only CCUH provides diagnostics, treatment, and care for paediatric patients. It is the largest specialized multi-profile children's medical institution in Latvia. We treat, care, teach and inspire so that children have the healthiest and most fulfilling lives possible. Approximately 15,000 patients are treated in the hospital each year, while more than 300,000 outpatient visits are provided in the Outpatient Health Center. The hospital consists of 10 clinics, 5 treatment centers, 12 care units and 11 medical support services. The hospital provides state-funded health care services to children at the outpatient clinic along with emergency and critical care services.

With the rapid advancement of precision medicine and growing involvement in international research and innovation projects, the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) will establish a Biobank.

To support the creation of the Biobank, we are seeking a Biobank Coordinator — a professional who will initially take charge of strategically planning the establishment of the new biobank, developing its strategy and subsequent implementation plan in cooperation with BKUS management and international partners. In the next phase, this person will oversee its operations, continuously keeping up with modern technologies, ensuring the highest sample quality, and advancing the necessary sample storage and IT infrastructure.

The Children’s Clinical University Hospital is developing the Biobank with the support of the Latvia–Switzerland Cooperation Programme project “Development of Childhood Cancer Care at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital” and the Horizon Europe WIDERA subprogramme project “Precision Medicine in Pediatric Care PMPC.”

We are looking for a new colleague – Biobank Coordinator at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (CCUH) in Riga, Latvia.

Main Responsibilities:

Biobank Development and Strategic Management

• Develop the biobank’s strategy and implementation plan in consultation with international partners and laboratory colleagues, ensuring a sustainable, high-quality biobank engaged in research at an international level.
• Build and lead cooperation between laboratory, medical, nursing, IT, and research professionals, including on an international scale.

Biobank Data and Process Management

• In collaboration with field experts, develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and processes for the operation of the biobank.
• Ensure ethical, secure, and transparent processes for patient consent, sample handling, and data circulation.
• Implement a Biobank Information Management System (BIMS) that supports the collection, processing, and sharing of data related to biobank operations and ensures interoperability with existing BKUS information systems. Lead and oversee the selection and implementation of the BIMS, ensuring its alignment with hospital needs and resources, as well as the Data Management Plan (DMP), including data coding and pseudonymization.
• Develop a comprehensive Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) program to ensure sample integrity and data accuracy.

Biobank Accessibility, Legal Compliance, and Infrastructure Oversight

• Promote the availability of BKUS biobank services to researchers and ensure that information about available samples, data, and related publications is made publicly accessible on the BKUS website for patients, researchers, clinicians, and the broader public.
• Participate in the development of regulatory documents related to biobank operations in Latvia and ensure that the BKUS Biobank complies with national and international regulations, selected standards, and guidelines.
• Coordinate the development of the Biobank infrastructure and participate in the procurement and implementation of biobank equipment in the BKUS Laboratory.

Required Qualifications:

• A medical degree with certification in laboratory medicine and experience working in a laboratory, or a master’s degree in biology, molecular biology, or biomedicine
• Knowledge of molecular biology, genetics, and laboratory diagnostics, as well as practical experience with laboratory equipment, information systems, and sample processing and workflow management.
• Experience in clinical research processes, including patient recruitment, sample collection, and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Understanding of sample and data management using laboratory information systems (LIS), ensuring data security, integrity, and ethical conduct in accordance with GDPR and ISO requirements (e.g., ISO 20387).
• Knowledge of biobanking technologies, modern sample preservation methods, and laboratory workflow automation.
• Ability to ensure accurate documentation, quality control, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to develop biobank services in the long term while collaborating with specialists from various fields.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills, with the ability to build cooperation in research, clinical, and institutional environments.
• Excellent Latvian language skills and good English language proficiency.
• Compliance with the requirements of Article 72 of the Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child.

We offer:

• A unique opportunity to establish and lead a biobank at the Children’s Hospital.
• Involvement in the implementation of significant international collaboration projects.
• An inspiring, mission-driven environment with dedicated and passionate colleagues.
• Salary starting from EUR 3000 per month before taxes, based on experience and qualifications;
• Opportunities for learning and further professional development, including exchange visits, and training at partner hospitals and institutions;
• Health insurance after the probation period
• Free parking.

Working hours: full-time position.

Employment contract: Permanent position