Biosafety Program Manager

Biosafety Program Manager & University Biosafety Officer

About Northeastern:
Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experiential approach empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create impact far beyond the confines of discipline, degree, and campus.

Our locations—in Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; London; Portland, Maine; San Francisco; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Toronto; Vancouver; and the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant—are nodes in our growing global university system. Through this network, we expand opportunities for flexible, student-centered learning and collaborative, solutions-focused research.

Northeastern's comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs— in a variety of on-campus and online formats—lead to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Among these, we offer more than 195 multi-discipline majors and degrees designed to prepare students for purposeful lives and careers.

About the Opportunity:
The Biosafety Program Manager & University Biosafety Officer (BPM) reports to the Associate Director of Education and Research Safety and is tasked with developing and executing all required components of a biosafety and biosecurity program to include establishing criteria for using infectious agents, select agents human materials, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids and toxins, equipment, and processes in BSL -1 through BSL-3 settings.

Responsibilities:
The BSM will establish and monitor safety and compliance objectives, directly engage Principal Investigators (PIs) to collaboratively manage biosafety/biosecurity requirements in a research laboratory setting, and actively investigate and promote continuous process improvement efforts at all levels of education and research safety. When asked, assume the day to day responsibilities of the Education and Research Safety Program in the prolonged absence of the Associate Director.

The BPM will possess excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills to effectively promote biosafety concepts at all levels of the education and research enterprise including regularly engaging College Deans, Chairs, and Principal Investigators (PIs).

The BPM will serve as the university's subject matter expert regarding biosafety and biosecurity and must be self-motivated, technically skilled, and able to effectively influence biosafety and biosecurity performance, execute change, and promote collaborative problem solving. The BPM is responsible for the development and assessment of leading indicators and is instrumental in developing and implementing strategic plans to ensure continued biosafety/biosecurity improvement and program growth throughout all Northeastern laboratories

BPM responsibilities include the review of biosafety registrations, complex biological research protocols, and risk assessments and include making recommendations to the PI for improving safety and security associated with a specific project; working directly with the Associate Director to develop comprehensive and compliant biosafety and biosecurity training with a potential for providing hands-on biosafety training. Additional areas of responsibility include providing institutional oversight of Duel Use Research Of Concern (DURC), maintaining bio-use registrations with and providing regulatory reports to the City of Boston Public Health Commission and NIH; the development of biosafety and biosecurity resources; coordination of regulated medical and infectious waste management; oversight of the maintenance of records; directing staff to conduct autoclave audits, update biosafety/biosecurity manuals, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan, policies and procedures, auditing teaching and research laboratories, and assisting PIs with ensuring compliance with biosafety/biosecurity/biowaste management requirements in laboratories and storage areas located in research buildings. The BPM works in active collaboration with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and provides training/support to academic departments, UHCS, and athletics. The BPM is an active and voting member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee and ensures that internal and external consultation is available to PIs for complex research projects using infectious materials.

The BPM will participate, as needed, with the Northeastern Emergency Response Team, and regularly be on-call outside of regular business hours to assist with the response to laboratory accidents involving biological material releases and will provide written evaluations of biological releases and accidents and be responsible for restocking supplies used in spill clean-up.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) required in biology, molecular biology, microbiology, cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or related field.

Minimum of 9 years of demonstrated, hands-on experience working with biological agents in a research, teaching, diagnostic/clinical or quality control laboratory. Preferably, 6 years of work experience as a biosafety specialist at an academic or research institution.

Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience working in an EH&S office or similar compliance office with regular engagement with laboratory personnel as a part of a biosafety/biosecurity audit program with a minimum of 2 years of experience executing BSL-3 compliance requirements in a laboratory setting.

Comprehensive knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations as well as NIH, USDA, NIAID, CDC guidelines for biosafety and biosecurity with demonstrated ability to evaluate complex biological research protocols using infectious agents.

Demonstrated knowledge of biosafety principles and best practices as well as federal, state, and local requirements for the use of biological materials and implementation of biosecurity components.

Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate with a wide variety of personnel with a positive and helpful attitude.

Excellent communication skills and customer service skills and the ability to present information clearly and succinctly verbally and in writing. Ability to explain complicated technical concepts clearly and concisely. Ability to compile and present instructions as well as ability to clearly and concisely express ideas orally and in writing. Ability to effectively influence the safety behavior of teaching and research faculty, lab workers and other staff, and students engaged in high-risk activities. Capable of and comfortable with engaging PIs to ensure additional identified safety measures are included in all research protocols before start-up.

Ability to take initiative and think critically and creatively concerning individual situations and elements of the biosafety program with the ability to work independently and as a member of the team.

Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook). Proficiency in the use of data management software.

Demonstrated knowledge of common processes, equipment, and biological agent properties found in a laboratory setting. General awareness of process safety requirements in a research laboratory setting.

Experience with or ability to learn and utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) such as BlackBoard, Canvas, or other data management platform such as BioRaft, to implement safety training and other safety program management needs.

Be medically qualified to wear respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment as well as lift to 50 lbs. Work in a variety of physical environments where hazardous materials or equipment are in storage or use.

Required Credentials: Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) or Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP).

Salary Grade:
13

Additional Information:
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.



To apply, visit https://careers.pageuppeople.com/879/cw/en-us/job/507071

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