Team Lead, Vivarium

The START Center for Cancer Research (“START”) is the world’s largest early phase site network, fully dedicated to oncology clinical research. Throughout our history, START has provided hope to cancer patients in global community practices by offering access to cutting edge trials throughout the US and Europe. Today, with over 1,300 studies completed, and with research facilities in the United States and in Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, START’s mission is to accelerate the development of new anticancer drugs that will improve the quality of life and survival for patients with cancer and lead to its eventual cure. To date, over 43 therapies conducted at START locations have obtained FDA/EMA approval. Incredibly, while Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) conduct 80% of cancer trials, such trials reach only 20% of the patient population – leaving the majority of patients who are treated in community practices and hospitals without access to a clinical trial when their care journey calls for one. START serves the many – by bringing cancer trials to physicians and their patients in community hospitals and practices when hope is needed most.

START represents the world’s largest roster of Principal Investigators (PIs) across its eight clinical trial sites. Committed to accelerating passage from trials to treatments, START delivers hope to patients, families, and physicians around the world. As an example, in San Antonio, where START was founded, START treated the first patient ever with Keytruda – the most effective cancer drug in medical history.

We are hiring a motivated Team Lead, Vivarium who will serve as a functional leader within the In Vivo Research team, coordinating daily activities and supporting process execution in line with study protocols. While this role does not have formal direct supervisory duties, the Team Lead is responsible for guiding team operations, facilitating communication between staff and management, and supporting new employee onboarding and training. This role involves supervising data collection from industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies, ensuring adherence to protocols and compliance with all regulatory and safety guidelines, and managing all procedures related to small animal handling, husbandry, surgery, drug preparation, and dosing. This position plays a key role in maintaining protocol compliance, animal welfare, and operational efficiency across the lab.

Essential Responsibilities

• Facilitate daily team huddles to communicate study updates and cross-functional information.
• Serve as a key contributor in process improvement initiatives and ensure adherence to established standard work.
• Monitor and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as defined by leadership.
• Act as a resource and technical mentor to new hires and team members requiring additional support.
• Promote responsible use of resources and cost-effective practices.
• Ensure all study-related documentation is current, accurate, and audit-ready.
• Perform and oversee in vivo procedures, including small animal handling, dosing, surgery, tumor implantation, euthanasia, and sample collection/processing.
• Administer agents according to protocol-specific dosing schedules and routes.
• Collect and record data related to body weights, tumor measurements, and other endpoints using approved tools and software.
• Ensure health and welfare of animals, maintaining compliance with AAALAC and IACUC standards.
• Identify and escalate quality or compliance concerns to the appropriate supervisor or project manager.
• Monitor Key Quality Indicators (KQIs) and ensure lab environments are maintained in a clean, safe, and OSHA-compliant state.
• Participate in weekly cross-functional team meetings and provide study-related updates.
• Assist in aligning daily study conduct with customer-defined deliverables and expectations.
• Solicit feedback from internal stakeholders and escalate concerns as needed.
• Support operations review meetings and share team performance insights as applicable.
• Assist in the completion of study logs, inventory records, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure all documentation is aligned with SOPs and regulatory expectations.
  
  

Education & Experience

• High school diploma/GED.
• 3 years of related experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team environment.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in technical mentoring or functional leadership.
• Formal training in animal handling and in vivo research procedures.
• Familiarity with AAALAC, IACUC, and OSHA compliance.
  
  

Physical And Travel Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to perform daily tasks requiring fine motor skills.
• Ability to utilize full range of motion (reaching, bending, etc.).
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Ability to handle and understand safety procedures associated with biological, investigational, or hazardous materials, not to exceed BSL2.
• Ability to work with and understand safety procedures associated with sharps, including but not limited to needles, scalpel blades, lancets, etc.
• Ability to don full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on shift, including but not limited to lab coat, gloves, mask, and bouffant.
  
  

Best-in-Class Benefits And Perks

We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by a competitive compensation, depending on experience, and an extensive benefits package including:

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided
• Robust retirement planning: 401(k) plan available with employer matching
• Financial security: Life and disability insurance for added protection
• Flexible financial options: Health savings and flexible spending accounts offered
• Well-being and work-life balance: Paid time off, flexible schedule, and remote work choices provided
• Plus, we work to maintain the best environment for our employees, where people can learn and grow with the company. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative environment where everyone feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.
  
  

More About The START Center For Cancer Research

Deeply rooted in community oncology centers globally, The START Center for Cancer Research provides access to specialized preclinical and early-phase clinical trials of novel anti-cancer agents. START clinical trial sites have conducted more than a thousand early-phase clinical trials, including for 43 therapies that were approved by the FDA. START represents the world’s largest roster of Principal Investigators (PIs) across its eight clinical trial sites. Committed to accelerating passage from trials to treatments, START delivers hope to patients, families, and physicians around the world. Learn more at STARTresearch.com.

Ready to be part of a team changing the future of cancer treatment?

Join us in our mission to conquer cancer, one clinical trial at a time. Your expertise and dedication can help us bring hope and healing to patients worldwide. Please submit your application online.

We are an equal opportunity employer that welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.