Research Biosafety Officer

About the role

The Research Protections Office has been delegated authority and responsibility by the Vice President for Research to administer oversight of research-specific biosafety, including research involving potentially hazardous biological materials, recombinant or synthetic DNA, agents requiring high-containment (Biosafety Level 3), and use of biological agents in research animals. UVM has approximately 1,200 labs within the College of Medicine as well as a 3,000 square foot high-containment facility dedicated to BSL-3 and BSL-3 research.

Responsibilities

• Assess and/or handle biological material or infectious pathogens, including Biosafety Level 3, and Institutional Biosafety Committee Protocol Review, preferably in an academic research environment.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve biosafety culture and operations.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to researchers on biosafety protocols and procedures.
• Oversee the registration and maintenance of the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP).
• Manage the selection, training, and supervision of biosafety personnel.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and university regulations and policies.
• Prepare and review biosafety-related documentation and reports.
• Communicate complex regulatory requirements to both scientists and lay people.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure the safe conduct of research.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, or related relevant science.
• Eight or more years of relevant experience, with four or more years including direct experience involving assessing and/or handling biological material or infectious pathogens, including Biosafety Level 3, and Institutional Biosafety Committee Protocol Review, preferably in an academic research environment.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in public speaking and technical writing.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Advanced ability to understand and apply all relevant federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and federal guidance documents.
• Advanced knowledge of office productivity software and internet research.
• Capacity to efficiently and effectively handle multiple demands and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated self-discipline and independent judgement.
• Strong understanding of skills and tasks to provide superior customer service to facilitate research.

Skills

• Public speaking and technical writing.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and federal guidance documents.
• Office productivity software and internet research.
• Efficient handling of multiple demands and competing priorities.
• Self-discipline and independent judgement.
• Customer service skills to facilitate research.

Benefits

While not currently registered as a Federal Select Agent Program, it is reasonably anticipated that UVM will seek registration in the future. Therefore, the successful candidate must be qualified in all aspects to assume the duties and fundamental responsibilities of a FSAP Responsible Official.

Pay

Anticipated Pay Range: $87,000 - 95,000

Schedule

On-call status to respond to incidents involving biological materials, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.