Associate Biological Safety Officer

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Biological Safety Officer (ABSO) is responsible for providing support to the Biosafety Team within the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Office and contributing to a culture of safety at Harvard. This position offers a great opportunity for an entry-level biologist, EHS professional, or person looking for a career transition to gain experience in the biosafety field. Primary responsibilities include providing technical and field support to the EHS Biosafety Team and assisting in the implementation of programs and services relating to the use of biohazardous materials and/or recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids within Harvard schools. The ABSO will participate in a variety of support tasks and will report to the Associate Director of Biosafety. Duties may include acting as a customer liaison between university clients (such as laboratory principal investigators and research staff), Facilities Management, and EHS. This position provides emergency response support on a rotational basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of 3 years related work experience or an equivalency of professional training, certifications, and work experience.
• Bachelors degree in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, or related field or an equivalency of professional training, certifications, and work experience.
• A strong willingness and excitement to learn and grow, both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced setting, handling multiple assignments with diverse clients in various academic research areas (e.g., biology, chemistry).
• Excellent interpersonal skills, clear communication style, and attention to detail.
• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Must be able to use database applications, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform emergency response activities and field visits
• Must be capable of using personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment, be able to access any area of the University to perform designated work functions including but not limited to inspections, job safety assessments, and emergency response

Responsibilities

• Facilitates the integration of biosafety into laboratory operations and promotes safe work practices based on regulatory requirements, best management practices, and University Policy.
• Develops and maintains proficiency in regulations, standards, guidelines and trends in biological safety and environmental health and safety. Communicates requirements to EHS colleagues and University lab customers, as required.
• Collaborates with EHS Lab Safety Advisors and other Biosafety Team members to perform inspections, compliance reviews, and hazard assessments of research laboratories, research animal facilities, and other support facilities.
• Authors timely, peer-reviewed compliance reports and monitors corrective actions.
• Conducts risk assessments of biological research protocols, processes applications for registration with the Harvard Institutional Biosafety Committee (COMS), and participates in COMS meetings.
• Delivers and assists in development of safety training including biological, general, and physical hazard protection in laboratories, effective safety and exposure control use, hazardous materials shipping, and other customized trainings.
• Updates and contributes to drafting policies, guidelines, and procedures for the University’s Biological Safety Program (BL1 to BL3), as assigned.
• Aids in the response and investigation of laboratory-related accidents or exposures.
• Supports preparation for and assists in the conducting of regulatory site visits.
• Assists with additional EHS project and program work, as needed and assigned.
• Participate in EH&S Emergency Response Team on rotating basis
• Will be required to carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business hours with other EHS staff
• Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level