Senior Scientist

Merrick & Company • Manhattan, KS

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Merrick & Company is seeking an experienced science and safety professional with expertise in biological, chemical, and physical hazards. The role supports a Life Sciences growth initiative serving academic, public health, healthcare, and biotechnology clients in the U.S. and internationally. The position is based at a client site in Manhattan, Kansas, rather than a Merrick office.

The Senior Scientist coordinates and supports projects involving laboratory planning, programming, operations, facility transitions and decommissioning, hazard and exposure assessment and control, chemical and biological safety, hazardous materials and waste, biocontainment, biosecurity, and regulatory and code compliance. The role supports a multidisciplinary Science & Technology team and works with architects, engineers, commissioning agents, and subject matter experts on high-containment, teaching, research, clinical, and biotechnology laboratories and animal facilities.

The position develops and delivers technical work products, supports project quality, schedules, and budgets, and helps clients understand applicable regulations, standards, manufacturer instructions, and best practices. Work may involve clients and government contacts across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, and requires domestic and international travel of up to 50%. Client projects require U.S. citizenship.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in a science- or safety-related field from an accredited program.
• At least five years of experience in government, academic, and healthcare facility and laboratory operations; chemical, biological, and physical hazard safety; and biocontainment and biosecurity operations.
• Previous experience in high- and maximum-containment laboratories (CL/BSL-3 or higher).
• Technical knowledge of regulatory requirements concerning chemical, biological, and physical hazard safety, OSHA-regulated hazards, the Animal Welfare Act, select agents and toxins, and agencies responsible for facility permits, registrations, or approvals.
• Experience working with microorganisms or viruses classified as select agents under 7 CFR Part 331, 9 CFR Part 121, and 42 CFR Part 73.
• Ability to review, understand, and integrate regulations and state codes into client deliverables.
• Experience assessing biological, chemical, and physical hazards in different laboratory facility types and containment levels.
• Ability to coordinate assessment data collection, identify gaps against design and operational requirements, and develop action plans to address gaps.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, including resourcing, tracking, follow-up, and completion.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Willingness to receive yearly vaccinations when mandated by Merrick clients’ policies, such as flu, COVID-19, MMR, and Tdap.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally as needed.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and eligibility for coverage under Merrick’s insurance carrier.
• U.S. citizenship, required for client projects.

Nice To Haves

• Experience handling microorganisms, human materials, animals, and plant materials, and implementing isolation precautions for human and animal patients.
• Credentialed biosafety professional or other applicable safety professional.
• Experience serving as the responsible official or alternate responsible official for an institution’s registered select agent program.
• Experience with infectious agents, hazardous materials, physical hazards, hazardous waste, and regulated medical waste.
• Experience managing or serving on Institutional Biosafety Committees, Institutional Animal Use and Care Committees, and Chemical Safety Committees.
• Technical knowledge of healthcare facility and clinical laboratory compliance standards, including CLIA, CAP, and TCJ.
• Technical knowledge of biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, cleanroom, and GMP operations.
• Technical knowledge of public health laboratory operations.
• Technical knowledge of consensus standards such as ANSI, ASHRAE, and NFPA.
• General awareness of clinical laboratory operations and hazards associated with diagnostic, clinical microbiology, chemistry, blood bank, histopathology, and gross sectioning.
• Experience with BSL 1–4 facility and laboratory operations in academic, clinical, public health, and biotechnology settings.
• Experience with clinical laboratory operations and vivarium operations, including large- and small-animal facilities.
• Experience with building automation and access control systems.
• Experience with facility information technology and information security systems.
• Experience with cyber and biosecurity.
• Experience with data management systems and quality management systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategy, development, execution, and technical knowledge for project deliverables related to facility and laboratory operations, hazard identification and management, exposure assessment and control, safety, public health and environmental management, occupational and industrial hygiene, healthcare compliance, animal programs, insectaries, and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare complex studies, reports, plans, specifications, and other project deliverables.
• Ensure adherence to project quality requirements.
• Address regulatory and code compliance concerning facility and laboratory operations, client safety, and the handling, storage, and disposal of chemical, biological, and physical hazards.
• Support preparation of documents for client registrations and permits and ongoing regulatory, code, standards, certification, and accreditation compliance.
• Support proposal development and marketing initiatives.
• Support project leadership in meeting schedules and budgets and communicate issues and concerns.
• Coordinate with Merrick team members, clients, and outside consultants on Life Sciences projects.
• Educate clients on regulations, consensus standards, manufacturer instructions, and best practices relating to facilities, laboratories, operations, safety programs, hazard controls, biocontainment, equipment, hazardous materials, waste processes, and recordkeeping.
• Apply Merrick policies and procedures and exercise initiative and judgment appropriate to the role.

Benefits

• Eligible U.S. employees participate in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Health insurance.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Referral incentives.
• Annual performance reviews.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Employee recognition programs.
• Structured peer mentoring.

What This Job Offers

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