Department
 

Office of Research Safety

About the Department
 

The Office of Research Safety (ORS) provides a research safety framework, subject matter expertise, and management of research safety support activities for the University. The ORS will lead the development of University-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe research environment and to facilitate research compliance and will be guided institutionally by the Research Safety Policy Council (RSPC), which will be chaired by the Vice Provost for Research and composed of the relevant Deans, University General Counsel, and other appropriate University leaders. The ORS will work closely with counterparts in the academic Divisions, University Environmental Health and Safety and, as appropriate, with Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Job Summary
 

The Associate Director of Biosafety (ADB) at the University of Chicago (UC) Hyde Park Campus is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive laboratory biohazard control program to ensure a safe environment for research, teaching and clinical laboratories. This includes providing technical guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis of biological hazards and related operational issues that may arise in university laboratories operating at Biosafety Levels 1-3 (BSL_), and Animal Biosafety Level 1-3 (ABSL_). The ADB works closely with the other BSOs, Lab Safety Specialists, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the Select Agent Institutional Biosafety Committee (SAIBC), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Animal Resources Center (ARC), the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), Medical Center Environmental Health & Safety, UC faculty, staff, and students to coordinate services, review facilities, and provide appropriate safety training and technical support as necessary. The ADB also is appointed as an Alternate Responsible Official for UC’s Federal Select Agent Program at the Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory (HTRL) on the Argonne campus. Also, a team member of UC's emergency response team for situations involving laboratory hazards.
The job uses best practices and knowledge for regulatory compliance program activities. Anticipates problems and develops systems to identify areas of risk through internal audits. Uses specialized expertise to manage compliance documentation submission and maintenance, compliance training, compliance committee formation, and other programmatic functions.

Responsibilities

• As a biological safety technical and information resource, provides guidance to faculty, staff and students on biological safety related matters, e.g. develop and maintain programs designed to monitor and control biohazards. Evaluates the health risks associated with research involving biological agents and their by-products. Works with University investigators and staff to implement biohazard control policies and procedures on general biosafety, select agents and toxins, biosafety cabinet use, and laboratory emergency response plans. Makes independent, on-the-spot decisions involving risk assessments, emergency response and related corrective actions.
• Identifies, develops and delivers appropriate laboratory safety training/orientation curricula for teaching assistants, incoming students (e.g., undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral), principal investigators, visiting researchers, visiting students (e.g., elementary, high school, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral fellows from other institutions), other visiting faculty members and volunteers utilizing BSL-1, BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories including, but not limited to, bloodborne pathogens, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, biosafety, select agents and toxins and DOT/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as it relates to shipment of infectious substances. Additionally, trains clinical staff (e.g., physicians, nurses and maintenance staff) in proper biological safety techniques in the event patients present with unusual infectious diseases (e.g., Ebola patients).
• IBC/SAIBC/IACUC involvement - serves as a voting member of IBC and SAIBC, upon appointment by the Dean of the Biological Sciences Division. Conducts an initial review of research protocols submitted to the IBC. Performs risk assessments of described research and provides to investigators containment recommendations (Biosafety Level) specific to research involving biological hazards. Ensures that work proposed is in congruence with IACUC protocols (e.g., advises investigators on agent risk assessments, laboratory practices, containment facility design, safety equipment, decontamination, disposal, and use of appropriate signage. Collaborates with animal care veterinarians and supervisors on research projects requiring animal facilities capable of providing containment.).
• Performs annual laboratory inspections, including appropriate follow-up inspections to verify corrective actions, for laboratories on the Hyde Park campus and assists with similar inspections at the HTRL to ensure compliance with the applicable internal (e.g., IBC) and external (e.g., CDC, NIH, USDA, OSHA) safety regulations or requirements (e.g., performs facility and research protocol reviews as necessary or as requested by the BSO and/or IBC and in direct cooperation with UC faculty and staff, building coordinator, department safety representative, or department head, as appropriate. Compiles biological safety inspection reports, research protocol status summaries, quarterly reports, and conduct other administrative functions that support the biological safety program.).
• Conducts construction plan reviews for biosafety level two (BSL2) and biosafety level three (BSL3) facilities, provides review comments in writing, and signs off on final plans.  Conducts pre-occupancy checks for all BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories, and participates in their proper laboratory commissioning and decommissioning.
• Serves as an Alternate Responsible Official for the Select Agent Program at UC, including passing an FBI background check and Security Risk Assessment. Develop and distribute Agent Profile Forms (APF) for each biological hazard currently being used by investigators at the University. Continues to monitor the APFs and edits them as information about the biohazardous agent changes.  Generates new APFs as new biohazardous agents are utilized at the University.
• Assists in assessment and possible cleanup of chemical or biological spills in laboratories. This includes carrying a pager periodically and being on-call for emergency consultation off hours. Assists with safety/accident investigations pertaining to BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories as assigned. 
• May provide confidential counseling and expertise to those who feel they have experienced unlawful treatment based on University programs and activities.
• Represents the University in regulatory proceedings before federal, state and local agencies. Prepares the University's position statements and responses to information requests.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in microbiology, biology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, life sciences or related field.
• Ph.D. degree in microbiology, biology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, life sciences or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of professional experience working either as an investigator conducting basic science research or in the management of laboratory safety programs.
• Background at an academic, hospital or biomedical research institutions. 

Certifications:

• Certification, or willingness to acquire certification as a Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) or Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP).
• Forty hour HAZWOPER certification strongly preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience/knowledge regarding biological safety including biology of pathogenic microorganisms (e.g. infectious dose, natural reservoirs, route of transmission, communicability, environmental stability, antibiotic sensitivities/resistance, sensitivities to disinfectants), recombinant DNA techniques and risk assessment, control and preventive methods, containment, decontamination, biomedical waste disposal, medical surveillance, injury prevention, emergency response, disaster planning, and employee training.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of computer-based data systems. Maintain databases related to program areas of responsibility (e.g., track the University pathogen inventory/registry, lab and equipment signage system, serum bank/serological testing, staff vaccination status, staff security clearance status, biological safety cabinet inventory and certification status database, development of web-based safety training programs, campus wide training tracking, and the development of computer-based systems to track and document laboratory inspection outcomes.).
• Knowledge of and familiarity with state and federal guidelines and regulations pertaining to research involving recombinant or synthetic DNA molecules (r/sDNA) and/or infectious agents. Agencies involved include the CDC, NIH, USDA-APHIS, EPA, DOD, OSHA, and FDA.

Preferred Competencies

• Maintain understanding of current trends, changes in biological safety regulations and maintain knowledge of codes, standards and procedures in safety through publications, interdepartmental training, and continuing education courses.
• Working knowledge of health education philosophy, goals and programs.
• Keep current with trends and scientific findings for the review, development and implementation of safety programs, processes and technologies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Work successfully with students, faculty and staff, external organizations and individuals on behalf of the University.
• Strong verbal and written communication, and organizational skills.
• Problem solve, remain calm in emergency situations, stay focused, work under pressure with frequent interruptions and multi-task.
• Effective perception to make quick and accurate safety observations.

Working Conditions

• Travel to attend and/or present work at regional and national scientific conferences in the field of biological safety.
• Lift 50 pounds.
• Work in areas with biological agents and chemicals/substances using safety precautions.
• Respond to emergency situations involving potentially infectious materials.
• Wear respiratory protection equipment and associated medical clearance; personal protective equipment is required in some aspects of the work.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.