Director of Biosafety and ARO

Department

Provost Office of Research Safety

About The Department

The University of Chicago Office of Research Safety (ORS), led by the Associate Provost for Research Safety, reports to the Vice Provost of Research. ORS activities and services are coordinated and integrated with other research support efforts through partnerships with UChicago students, faculty, staff, deans and other UChicago leadership to support and promote research safety and compliance. The ORS contributes to the UChicago institutional research infrastructure via partnerships with other units that report to the Vice Provost of Research including University Research Administration (URA), Research Development Support (RDS), Research Computing Center (RCC), Globus and the University of Chicago Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering (CASE).

The Office of Research Safety (ORS) provides a research safety framework, subject matter expertise, emergency response, and management of research safety support activities for the University to ensure that laboratory and field research are conducted safely and in accordance with federal and institutional guidelines. The ORS leads the development of university-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe research environment and to facilitate research compliance and is guided institutionally by the Research Safety Policy Council (RSPC), chaired by the Vice Provost of Research. Other members include Divisional Deans, the Dean of Shared Research Facilities, and a Senior Associate General Counsel. The ORS works closely with counterparts in the academic Divisions, the University Environmental Health and Safety Office, the Medical Center Environmental Health and Safety Office, Facilities Services, Physical Plant, Project Management, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Job Summary

The Director of Biosafety (DB) at the University of Chicago (UC) Hyde Park Campus manages the University’s biosafety program at Hyde Park and is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive laboratory biohazard control program to ensure a safe environment for research and teaching 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 DB manages the other Biological Safety Officers (BSOs) at Hyde Park and works closely with the Lab Safety Specialists (LSS), the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the HTRL Institutional Biosafety Committee (HTRL-IBC), 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 DB manages all aspects of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Incident Response at Hyde Park, including communications related to the program, both internally within the program and externally with the NIH, CDC and USDA. The DB is also appointed as an Alternate Responsible Official for UC’s Federal Select Agent Program at the Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory (HTRL) on the Argonne campus. The DB also leads the University of Chicago's Hyde Park emergency response team for situations involving biohazardous agents and/or other hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform investigations, inspections and follow up to ensure compliance with local and federal governing bodies.
• Develop, deliver and update programming designed to educate, protect and ensure safety compliance across all Research Unit departments.
• Assist in the development of computer-based systems to track and document laboratory inspection outcomes, safety trainings and other necessary data points.
• Act as BSO for the UC and respond professionally and courteously to requests for biological safety assistance. Act as a biological safety technical & information resource to the University and provides guidance on biological safety related matters, making independent, on-the-spot decisions involving risk assessments, emergency response and related corrective actions.
• Conduct construction plan reviews for biosafety level two (BSL2) and biosafety level three (BSL3) facilities, provide review comments in writing, and sign off on final plans. Conduct pre-occupancy checks for all BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories and participate in their proper laboratory commissioning and decommissioning.
• Evaluate the health risks associated with research involving biological agents and their by-products, and work 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.
• Compile reports, protocol status summaries, quarterly reports, and conduct other administrative functions that support the biological safety program.
• Serve as liaison with governmental and voluntary agencies, other educational institutions, commercial and industrial establishments, and other personnel on matters involving biological safety including emergency response.
• Maintain understanding of current trends, changes in biological safety regulations and maintains knowledge of codes, standards, and procedures in safety through publications, interdepartmental training, and continuing education courses.
• Serve as a voting member of IBC and HTRL-IBC, upon appointment by University Leadership. Conducting reviews, assessments, and ensuring safety and compliance of protocols on behalf of the University.
• Serve as an Alternate Responsible Official for the Select Agent Program, and oversee the process for developing and distributing Agent Profile Forms.
• Assist in assessment and possible cleanup of biological spills in laboratories. This includes carrying a pager periodically and being 'on-call' for emergency consultation off hours.
• Directs and develops a multidisciplinary, professional and technical team committed to coordination of laboratory safety and compliance services, including general laboratory safety, biosafety, and related training.
• Provides feedback to team member and laboratory staff and students, including the leadership of research cores and other UC-managed research facilities on outstanding issues and coordinates the development of remedial action plans as required.
• Developing and implementing strategic plans for biosafety initiatives in alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Managing budgetary resources, personnel, and equipment necessary to support biosafety operations effectively.
• Setting performance goals, providing feedback, and evaluating the performance of direct reports to foster professional development and ensure accountability.
• Manages the development, planning and implementation of the University's environmental health and safety programs. Maintains the University’s Emergency Management Plan and monitors departmental budgets.
• Manages professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
• Performs other related work as needed.
  
  

Education:

Minimum Qualifications

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

Work Experience:

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

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Ph.D in Microbiology, Bacteriology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or one of the life sciences.
  
  

Experience:

• Experience in a laboratory or related industry (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences research laboratory, etc.).
• Experience in biosafety/lab safety.
• Experience, education and/or training in the realms of recombinant DNA or synthetic biology.
  
  

Licenses And Certifications:

• Relevant certifications (e.g., American Society for Microbiology National Registry of Certified Microbiologists-Biosafety, American Biological Safety Association Certified Biosafety Professional-CBSP, qualification in laboratory safety).
• Capable of obtaining medical clearances for using respiratory protection necessary for HAZMAT response.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• 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.
• Maintain understanding of current trends, technology, changes in biological safety regulations and maintain knowledge of codes, standards and procedures in safety through publications, interdepartmental training, and continuing education courses.
• Ability to travel for attending and/or presenting work at regional and national scientific conferences in the field of biological safety.
• Ability to work successfully with a wide variety of people at all levels of knowledge.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to problem solve, remain calm in emergency situations, stay focused, work under pressure with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with database (e.g. MS Access) design and maintenance, ability to write queries and design/generate reports.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (preferred)
• References (3)(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

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or 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.