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, Research Development Support, Research Computing Center, Globus, and the University of Chicago Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering. The Office of Research Safety 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, chaired by the Vice Provost of Research.
Job Summary: The Director of Operations (DO) at the University of Chicago (UC) Hyde Park Campus manages the University’s Laboratory inspection program, emergency response and hazmat shipping program, and is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive laboratory hazard control program to ensure a safe environment for research and teaching laboratories. This includes providing technical guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis of 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 DO manages a team of Laboratory Safety Specialists, and works closely with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the HTRL Institutional Biosafety Committee (HTRL-IBC), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Animal Resources Center, the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, 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 DO manages all aspects of Laboratory inspections, Incident Response, and hazardous material shipping, including communications related to the program, both internally within the program and externally with the NIH, CDC, and USDA. The DO 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 DO also leads the University of Chicago's Hyde Park emergency response team for situations involving hazardous agents and/or potentially 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 Biological Safety Officer 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 professional and technical team of Laboratory Safety specialists committed to coordination of laboratory safety and compliance services, including laboratory safety inspections and related training.
- Developing and implementing strategic plans for UC’s emergency response to laboratory accidents/incidence including UC’s on-call safety program and accident/incident investigations.
- Provide insight and feedback on University wide Safety procedures and policies to the Associate Provost for Research safety, the Research Safety Policy Council, Internal/External Auditors, and other relevant agencies.
- Oversee and act as liaison between relevant parties for hazardous material shipping including data integration with eSHIP, providing in-person/online training compliant with IATA/DOT regulations for both research and clinical material, advising on export control issues as requested.
- Lead efforts to improve the EHSA Laboratory Safety data management system working with the Director of Business integration, Environmental Health and Safety, Lab Safety Specialists, and other stakeholders to improve data integrations, user experience, data fidelity/scope, and other future innovations to the system to streamline access to Lab Safety Data and Functions.
- Managing budgetary resources, personnel, and equipment necessary to support ORS 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.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education: Advance degree in Microbiology, Bacteriology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or one of the life sciences.
- 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.
Technical Skills or Knowledge: 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
