Biosafety Functional Area Manager

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring a Biosafety Functional Area Manager to provide strategic and technical leadership for its institutional biosafety program. The role manages development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive program supporting biological research, laboratory animal research, and related institutional review activities. The manager works with Environment, Safety and Health leadership, principal investigators, research teams, institutional committees, and the Department of Energy to support safe and secure biological research in compliance with applicable requirements. The position is within the Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Department in the Environment, Safety and Health Directorate. It offers a hybrid schedule combining in-person and virtual work. Working from home one or more days per week may be available after a probationary period. The manager serves as the Institutional Biosafety Officer and as a voting member of several institutional committees. The role includes leading risk assessments and biosafety reviews, overseeing compliance and program performance, coordinating with regulators and oversight organizations, and leading and developing biosafety personnel as assigned.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.
Master’s degree in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, virology, immunology, or a related life sciences field, or an equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience.
Extensive experience managing or leading institutional biosafety programs in a research laboratory, biotechnology, government, or comparable environment.
Expert knowledge of biosafety principles, laboratory operations, pathogenic microbiological techniques, biological containment, and biological hazard controls.
Expert knowledge of applicable biosafety regulations, standards, and guidelines, including BMBL, NIH Guidelines, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens requirements, and relevant DOE requirements.
Substantial biosafety experience or voting membership in relevant biogovernance committees such as IBC, IRE, IACUC, or equivalent committees.
Demonstrated experience conducting or overseeing biological research risk assessments, laboratory inspections, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action programs.
Experience developing policies, procedures, training programs, performance measures, reports, and other institutional program documents.
Ability to interpret highly complex or ambiguous regulatory requirements and apply them across diverse research and operational environments.
Experience managing resources, projects, priorities, budgets, or personnel within a complex organization.
Excellent communication, facilitation, collaboration, negotiation, presentation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, situational awareness, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to build trust, gain consensus, and influence personnel at all levels while maintaining high standards of safety and compliance.

Nice To Haves

Current certification or registration through the American Biological Safety Association, such as Certified Biological Safety Professional or Registered Biosafety Professional.
Experience working at the BSL-3 or ABSL-3 containment level.
Knowledge of CDC and USDA import, export, transport, and permit requirements.
Experience with biological security, biosecurity, or biological risk management.
Experience with DOE directives, orders, laboratory operating contracts, or other federal research requirements.
Experience supporting the design, commissioning, or renovation of biological research facilities.
Experience developing data-driven program metrics and communicating program performance to senior leadership.
Experience supervising, mentoring, recruiting, or developing biosafety professionals.
Experience leading biosafety programs in a national laboratory or other highly regulated research environment.

Responsibilities

Manage and continuously improve the institutional biosafety program, policies, procedures, and documentation.
Provide expert technical guidance on biosafety, biosecurity, biological research risks, containment concepts, and laboratory operations.
Develop program strategies, priorities, performance objectives, and resource requirements aligned with Laboratory mission needs.
Lead risk assessments for new and ongoing biological research and support the development of Biological Use Authorizations.
Oversee biosafety reviews for biological agents and materials at BSL-1 through BSL-3 and ABSL-1 through ABSL-3 containment levels.
Ensure compliance with applicable requirements and standards, including BMBL, NIH Guidelines, OSHA standards, DOE requirements, and other applicable regulations.
Serve as the Institutional Biosafety Officer and participate as a voting member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee, Biological Review Committee, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and Institutional Review Entity.
Serve as an institutional technical liaison with DOE, the DOE Livermore Field Office, USDA, and other regulatory or oversight organizations.
Oversee biosafety audits, inspections, assessments, investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement activities.
Develop and maintain emergency response procedures for incidents involving biological agents and materials.
Oversee institutional biosafety training, including curriculum development, regulatory updates, delivery, and compliance tracking.
Establish and maintain data-driven performance measures, leading indicators, and program health metrics.
Compile, analyze, and communicate biosafety program information to leadership, oversight bodies, committees, and regulatory agencies.
Provide biosafety input into the planning, renovation, and design of biological research facilities.
Build collaborative relationships with principal investigators, researchers, line managers, staff, committees, and external stakeholders.
Benchmark biosafety practices with other DOE laboratories and research institutions.
Lead, mentor, and develop biosafety professionals and other program personnel, as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.