Overall Purpose of the Position:
The clinical trial assistant (CTA) plays an important role in supporting the daily operations of clinical research studies at the research site and is responsible for a mix of administrative tasks, data management activities, and sample processing and management to ensure the efficient functioning and performance of study activities. This position requires a detail-oriented individual who can effectively manage all samples in compliance with relevant protocols, maintain documentation and high standards of data integrity.
Key Performance Areas (KPAs) & Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Administrative Support:
- Document Management: Maintaining relevant study documents through receiving, filing, and processing of documents as required.
- Participant Visit Coordination: Assisting in preparing and coordination for participant visits.
- Communication: Serving as a liaison with Clinical Research Associates, Study Sponsors, and internal teams, providing timely updates and information.
- Meeting Coordination: Organising and attending study team meetings, take minutes, and disseminating key information to relevant stakeholders, where indicated.
- General Administration: Managing deliveries and providing administrative support to the study team with various tasks.
Data Management and related Administrative duties:
- Source Quality Checks: Conducting quality checks on source documents and ensuring proper organization of files by study and time point.
- Data Entry: Accurately capture and maintain relevant participant visit information and screening outcomes in the Realtime database and or other relevant platforms.
- Tracking and Reporting: May need to prepare and maintain logs for participant screening, enrolment, demographics, and visit schedules, ensuring up-to-date records in addition to processing room related logs and spreadsheets.
- Medical Report and Result Management: Tracking and printing medical reports and or results for investigators, following up on any outstanding items and assisting with query resolution.
Study and Processing Room Documentation:
- Source files: Preparing and checking source files for accuracy and readiness prior to scheduled participant visits, if necessary.
- Template Maintenance: Ensuring version control of study documentation, protocols, including laboratory manuals, logs and guiding tools.
- Quality Control: Conducting quality checks on completed documents, requisition forms and logs to minimize data queries and discrepancies.
Sample Processing and Management:
- Site readiness: Assisting with start-up and site readiness activities for new studies and or amendments as needed.
- Sample Collection Coordination: Overseeing and managing the collection of clinical research samples, ensuring compliance with study protocols.
- Specimen Preparation: Preparing specimen containers for safe collection, ensuring proper labelling, documentation, and storage as per protocol.
- Lab Kit Management: Receiving lab/specimen kits, checking expiry dates, and ensuring completeness as per study requirements. Re-ordering kits to maintain sufficient stock.
- Quality Standards Improvement: Upholding and improving processing standards; reporting quality risks to the Supervisor/Manager.
- Training: Actively participating in investigator meetings, site initiation visits to ensure understanding of protocols and laboratory manuals and remain up to date with training and amendments.
- Sample Processing Activities: Performing centrifugation and aliquoting of samples according to established procedures, maintaining accurate records.
- Sample Packaging and Shipping: Packing samples as per lab manuals and arranging secure shipment, completing necessary documentation.
- Storage Management: Storing samples in appropriate conditions (freezer/fridge) and maintaining accurate logs of contents.
- Procedure Development: Developing and assisting in training on procedures for sample processing as per study protocol.
- Quality Control Systems: Implementing and maintaining quality control systems for sample collection, processing, shipping and storage.
- Temperature Monitoring: Monitoring and documenting fridge and freezer temperatures daily, ensuring compliance with SOPs and reporting excursions.
- Sample Shipment Preparation: Preparing samples for shipment, ensuring secure delivery as per study protocol, and verifying completeness of logs before shipping.
- Sample Documentation: Preparing and maintaining accurate records and or sample logs/inventories, tracking samples, supporting data integrity and chain of custody of all samples received, processed, stored and shipped, ensuring up-to-date records completed in real-time.
- Equipment: Operating and maintaining equipment in compliance with instruction manuals and SOPs.
- Temperature control and excursions: Maintaining, documenting and monitoring correct storage and shipping temperatures per requirements, reporting excursions and assisting in compiling reports and devising corrective and preventative actions.
Liaison and Communication:
- Collaborating with other TASK teams (IT Helpdesk, HR, Regulatory and Quality Office) to facilitate smooth operations across the organization through effective communication and in a cross-functional manner.
Additional Duties:
- Assisting team members with various internal projects and performing other related duties as required.
Ideal Requirements
- Tertiary qualification relevant to the field (e.g. Biotechnology), with postgraduate qualification an advantage.
- Previous experience (1 – 2 years) in clinical research, clinical trials and or similar role (Preferred)
- Experience in a laboratory environment and familiar with terminology and procedures including understanding of centrifugation, micro pipetting, cold chain management, etc. (Advantageous)
- Knowledge and/or experience of laboratory database(s); IATA or similar training on handling of biological hazardous goods, valid GCP certificate, GCLP training.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Advantageous).
- Driver’s License (Advantageous).
- Will be required to travel and work at the various TASK sites within Cape Town.
Key Personal Inherent Characteristics
- Effective and Professional use of the English Language; both written and verbal.
- Clinical trial systems knowledge and relevant experience.
- Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining data integrity.
- Excellent planning and organizing skills to ensure accurate processing under challenging circumstances.
- Ability to follow detailed and specific instructions as per guiding documents.
- Problem solving skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment
Details:
Area: Delft, Cape Town, 7100
Contract Type: 12 Months Fixed Term
Applications Close: 13 July 2026 (16:00)
Please indicate in your application that you are applying for the above-mentioned position.
If you have not received a response within one month, your application was most likely unsuccessful.
TASK reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement and not fill the above-mentioned vacancy at any stage during the recruitment process.
Meeting our employment equity goals will be acknowledged during the recruitment process.
By responding to this advert and sending your cv, cover letter and/or any other documentation, you are consenting to TASK processing your personal information as contained in the furnished documents. TASK may process your personal information for recruitment purposes for suitable posts that may arise within the organisation. You agree that you have familiarised yourself with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act and understand your rights and obligations under this Act.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Application Question(s):
- What is your notice period?
- What are your GROSS salary expectations (before deductions)?
- Are you aware that you will be required to travel and work at the various TASK sites within Cape Town for this role?
- Do you have a valid driver's licence?
Work Location: In person
