Biosafety Manager

Arc Institute • Palo Alto, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Arc Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology. Based in Palo Alto, it partners with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco, and brings experimental and computational biology together to accelerate scientific progress and understand complex diseases. More than 300 employees work at its Palo Alto headquarters.

The Biosafety Manager develops, implements, supports, administers, and manages Arc’s Biosafety Program. The role provides biosafety expertise to researchers and represents Arc to regulatory authorities, while establishing and leading Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) operations. The manager reviews and guides protocols involving biological hazards, supports compliance and training, and advises on research, facilities, permitting, and shipping of biological materials.

The position also provides shared leadership and backup coverage for Arc’s broader Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) program. This includes supporting safety programs and training, environmental compliance, inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations, safety equipment, and hazardous-material emergencies. The role maintains on-call availability for emergencies such as spills.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of laboratory experience, including at least 3 years in Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and biosafety.
• Strong grounding in virology or microbiological sciences.
• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, biology, microbiology, occupational safety and health, or a related field.
• Expert knowledge of biosafety and laboratory safety practices, including biosafety cabinet operation, fume hoods and ventilation, PPE, and chemical safety and storage.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects efficiently and accurately.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to prioritize resources, positively influence group behaviors, and build consensus on safety best practices.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight and as part of a dynamic team, with a positive attitude, strong sense of urgency, and bias toward action.
• Interest in learning new techniques, maintaining accurate records, following instructions, and complying with company policies.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or PhD.
• Advanced degree in a biological, life science, or related field.
• Certification as a Biosafety Professional (CBSP), Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
• Knowledge and experience in Animal Research Occupational Health and Safety.
• Experience conducting laboratory animal research involving biohazardous or hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Arc Biosafety Program and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) operations to oversee biological agent usage.
• Serve as the biosafety subject matter expert for researchers and represent Arc to local, state, and federal authorities on biosafety matters; provide input on developing and revising regulations.
• Serve as the primary contact for IBC protocol review, assess research protocols involving biohazards or potentially biohazardous materials, provide pre-review guidance, and manage approvals and renewals.
• Validate biosafety program compliance through site inspections and follow up on biological use authorizations.
• Advise on biosafety requirements for proposed research, work, and facilities, and provide technical guidance on biological-material permitting, shipping, and material transfer agreements (MTAs).
• Design, deliver, and evaluate biosafety training, including employee onboarding, and keep the biosafety manual and related materials current with practices and regulations.
• Participate on relevant committees, such as IACUC, as an EH&S and biosafety resource.
• Maintain on-call availability for emergencies such as spills, directing or performing field response as needed.
• Provide shared EH&S safety leadership and subject matter expertise, and advise the administrative team on safety and compliance for projects and operations.
• Help maintain EH&S programs, procedures, and tracking systems, including chemical inventories, safety data sheets (SDS), near-miss reporting, and permits, in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Support programs such as Cal/OSHA bloodborne pathogens, chemical safety, radiation safety, and controlled substances.
• Support delivery of EH&S employee safety and onboarding training.
• Contribute to environmental compliance, including industrial wastewater discharge permits, hazardous waste requirements, and regulatory permitting; provide backup for hazardous waste programs, vendor contracting, and regulatory and certifying agency contacts.
• Participate in laboratory risk assessments, safety audits, inspections, and walkthroughs to identify chemical, physical, biological, and radiological hazards; help remediate hazards and recommend improvements.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, injuries, and complaints about potential hazards or unsafe conditions to determine causes and preventive measures.
• Help coordinate procurement and maintenance of safety equipment and supply inventory, and respond to hazardous-material emergencies.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus, with the amount dependent on individual and institute performance factors.
• Eligibility to participate in the Institute’s Compound Cash Grant Program (CCGP), offering multi-year cash grants paid in semi-annual installments.

What This Job Offers

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