Job Summary:
Are you a Microbiologist or safety professional who enjoys evaluating unique problems and seeking creative safety solutions? Do you have experience in a biological research laboratory, complex research environment, research with pathogens or toxins, lab management experience or experience with higher containment? If the answer is yes to these questions, the Biosafety Specialist position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison could be a great fit for you. This position is part of the Institutional Biosafety Committee and Laboratory Operations unit within the Office of Biological Safety.
The Biosafety Specialist position requires attention to detail, great customer service, reading biological safety protocols, visiting labs on-site, and assessing risk for biological research activities. Written communication will be a large part of this persons responsibilities, including drafting memos and emails, as well as participating in creating biological safety documents. Dynamic day to day responsibilities include reviewing biological protocols describing research activities, analysis on the risk of procedures with microbes, toxins, and biological materials, providing recommendations, preparing the information for the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) review, responses to email inquiries, as well as interactive meetings with Principal Investigators and laboratory professionals. Weekly activities involve visiting laboratories onsite and reviewing safety related practices and answering questions. The person will serve with four other biosafety specialists and provide administrative support to the IBC.
Since this position will work on issues throughout campus, excellent verbal, writing, and interpersonal skills are essential. This position reports directly to the Associate Biological Safety Officer in the Department of Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) within the Division of Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M).
Responsibilities: Identifies and develops plans to address safety issues, provides consultation, and tracks and manages cases in a specific area of specialty so all work, recreation, and research can be performed safely and in compliance will all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and standards. Makes recommendations for the control of identified hazards and assesses hazards using relevant regulatory methodologies.
- 5% Secures resources and schedules logistics for a safety program
- 5% Identifies operational and safety issues and develops improvement plans and standard operating procedures
- 5% Provides knowledge and guidance to internal and external stakeholders including leadership, in a specialized area of safety such biosafety, chemical, hazardous materials, agriculture, lake, radiation, and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- 50% Directs logistical activities, allocates resources and investigates components of specific health and safety cases
- 5% Communicates findings to necessary stakeholders
- 10% Reviews industry updates and may assist in developing safety communication materials based on industry changes
- 20% Responsibilities focus on biological safety, support of the UW Madison Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and laboratory safety
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Preferred
Bachelor’s Degree
Preferred focus in Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry, or related scientific or safety field
Qualifications:
Required:
– Excellent verbal, writing, and interpersonal skills
Preferred:
– One year professional experience in a related field; preferably, a biological research laboratory, complex research environment, research with pathogens or toxins, lab management experience or experience with higher containment.
– Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP)
Don’t feel you meet every preferred qualification? That’s okay. We encourage you to apply as you may be just the right candidate for this role!
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Typical work schedule:
Monday-Friday, 7:45 am – 4:30 pm
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $55,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see below for more information: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.
Additional Information:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
How to Apply:
To begin the application process, click the “apply now” button.
Please submit a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter is the ideal place for you to share how your qualifications and experience will translate to this position and showcase your unique talents.
You’ll be asked to provide contact information for three professional references when applying. References will not be contacted without your approval.
Contact:
Emma DeGan
emma.degan@wisc.edu
608-497-4469
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Env Health & Safe Spec II(CP005)
Department(s):
A71-FACILITIES PLNG AND MGMT/EHS/BIOSAFETY
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
288124-AS