BioSafety Manager

About the role

The Biosafety Manager is a technical and programmatic leader within Environmental Health & Safety Services (EHSS), responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the University’s biosafety program and Institutional Biosafety Committee.

Responsibilities

• Create procedures, guidance, and training materials to support safe, compliant research involving biohazardous materials.
• Review applications for biohazardous material use; engage investigators to understand proposed activities, assess risks, identify appropriate safety controls, and develop recommendations for the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
• Coordinate IBC operations, including agendas, presentations, meeting facilitation, and minutes.
• Maintain committee membership and ensure annual registration updates with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Serve as the University’s designated Institutional Biosafety Officer under NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, maintaining required registrations and ensuring ongoing federal compliance.
• Serve as liaison to regulatory agencies including CDC, NIH, USDA/APHIS, and NYS DOH interpreting requirements and communicating expectations to researchers and institutional stakeholders.
• Conduct routine laboratory inspections to assess biosafety, chemical, radiation, and general lab safety.
• Perform risk assessments of biohazardous and other hazardous materials, processes, equipment, and activities in research labs. Collaborate with researchers to understand operations and identify, communicate, and implement strategies to control hazards and minimize risk.
• Support the research grant review and approval process by evaluating hazards identified in proposals.
• Develop and deliver biosafety and general laboratory safety training for faculty, staff, and students.
• Provide expert advice on biosafety issues and safe laboratory practices.
• Support campus planning, design, and construction in laboratory planning and designs to ensure safety needs and standards are considered and addressed.
• Oversee interns and provide guidance and support to junior staff members and technicians.
• Support special research safety projects and initiatives and participate in departmental planning and long-term strategy development.
• Develop and implement emergency response procedures for biohazard incidents. Participate in incident response. Investigate laboratory accidents and incidents to determine causes and implement corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, life sciences, bioengineering, chemistry or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in biosafety and other general health and safety disciplines, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
• 5+ years of experience in an academic or research environment and/or laboratory safety management experience in an organization with diverse research and development activities, preferred.
• Knowledge and skill working with infectious agents, cell culture, and recombinant DNA techniques.
• Working knowledge of biological safety standards such as the Blood Borne Pathogen Standard, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, and the NIH Guidelines for Research.