Research Specialist in Chemical Safety - Division of Research Safety

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Research Safety (DRS) is seeking applicants for a Research Specialist in Chemical Safety. This role provides technical guidance to facilitate the safe use of regulated and hazardous materials in research, teaching, and related activities. The position ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations regarding hazardous materials use and waste requirements for the Urbana-Champaign campus. DRS collaborates with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, campus researchers, unit safety contacts, and the campus community to foster an effective safety culture. The Research Specialist applies scientific expertise in hazardous materials, laboratory operations, and research methodologies to evaluate complex research activities and institutional processes. This role partners directly with faculty, researchers, staff, and students to support the development and implementation of safe and effective experimental practices, strengthening programs, research operations, and campus activities. The position helps researchers navigate applicable research compliance requirements to support responsible research.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical biology or a closely related scientific or technical field. Alternate degree and degree fields and combination of degree and degree field and experience will be considered/accepted depending upon the depth and nature of the experience and relevance of degree as it pertains to this position.
2+ years experience working with hazardous chemicals in a laboratory environment, examining chemical reactivity, handling hazardous waste materials, and providing chemical management support.
Experience performing risk assessments in areas with hazardous materials and applying best practices for working with hazardous materials in a laboratory setting.
Undergraduate internships and research may count toward experience, if applicable to the experience sought.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in above noted fields.
Experience involving compliance oversight with federal and state regulations.
Familiarity with standard laboratory operating procedures and an understanding of the research culture in a university setting.
Exemplary communication, personal relations, team, and presentation skills.
The ability to perform with a professional demeanor in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities, under stringent deadlines.

Responsibilities

Evaluate complex research protocols and novel experimental activities involving hazardous materials or specialized equipment.
Perform rigorous exposure and risk assessments on novel experiments to determine appropriate physical and administrative controls, providing direct input on research practices to support safe operations and alignment with established scientific and institutional standards.
Serve as the liaison and provide technical support between campus researchers and institutional compliance committees.
Work with faculty and staff to standardize methodologies and protocols to ensure continued institutional accreditations.
Conduct comprehensive laboratory and process assessments to evaluate operations and enforce consistent, experimental methodologies among research teams and operational units.
Collaborate directly with Principal Investigators, research scientists, and laboratory personnel to identify hazards, mitigate physical risks, and develop specialized safety procedures.
Analyze trends in laboratory operations, emerging research practices, and compliance findings to formulate necessary updates for campus policies, data management, and institutional reporting.
Manage hazard profiling, handling protocols, and legal disposal pathways for complex or mixed-regulated waste in alignment with environmental standards.
Provide technical oversight and train personnel on decontamination techniques, specialized containment equipment, facility renovation compliance reviews, and campus monitoring programs.
Develop specialized resources and provide advanced instructional training to members of the research team, ranging from students to senior researchers, to enforce consistent experimental methodologies and compliance.
Provide specialized onboarding and technical instruction to new Principal Investigators and research personnel to establish baseline competencies required for compliant experimental protocols.
Maintain and expand scientific expertise through professional development, participation in scientific and professional organizations, and ongoing review of current literature and evolving research methodologies.
Contribute to publications, presentations, and institutional initiatives that advance best practices in research and scientific operations.
Respond to campus incidents involving hazardous materials or equipment, providing scientific and technical expertise to support local emergency responders during and after normal working hours.
Direct complex physical decontamination efforts and immediate mitigation for high-hazard field situations.
Perform rigorous root-cause analyses of laboratory accidents to develop long-term risk mitigation strategies and execute mandatory reporting.