ASSOCIATE BIOSAFETY OFFICER

Are you passionate about fostering safe environments for cutting-edge research? We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Associate Biosafety Officer to join our team. In this pivotal role, you'll work at the intersection of safety, science, and compliance, ensuring that our research teams can innovate securely and responsibly.

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We are celebrating our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. We work hand-in-hand with researchers of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and Calibr to merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

Celebrating a Century: https://100.scripps.edu/

POSITION TITLE:Associate Biosafety Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Associate Biosafety Officer assists the Associate Director, Biosafety in developing and implementing a comprehensive Biosafety program that is designed to support and facilitate research while protecting faculty, students, support staff, collaborators, visitors, and the environment from the adverse health effects from research involving biohazardous agents and recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Associate Biosafety Officer assists the institute's Associate Director, Biosafety to ensure compliance with biological safety standards (Bloodborne Pathogens, Air Transmittable Diseases, NIH Guidelines, etc.), regulated medical waste regulations, and the safe working practices involving biohazardous agents.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Assists the Associate Director, Biosafety in developing, implementing, and administering biosafety policies, procedures and protocols as part of the Institute's overall Environmental Health & Safety Program.
• Using iAuditor conducts regular laboratory safety audits of BSL-2 facilities. Discusses the audit results with the research users and their Principal Investigator (PI). Any observations that require a corrective action are followed up until compliance has been achieved. Return to Compliance (RTC) is documented in IAuditor.
• Assists with regulatory inspections (NIH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC, United States Department of Agriculture - USDA, San Diego County CUPA, Cal/OSHA, Association for the Assessment and Accreditation for Laboratory Animal Care - AAALAC); Performs semi-annual IACUC inspections.
• Provides recommendations for the safe use, proper storage and disposal of biological and potentially infectious waste materials in compliance with federal, state and local regulations and TSRI Guidelines; assists in developing standard operating procedures (SOP) for safe use of biological agents and materials.
• Conducts incident investigations if biohazardous materials were in use. Determine root cause and oversees the development of corrective action plans, i.e., processes and training programs designed to help eliminate or reduce future incidents and/or mitigate their impact.
• Serves as an alternate voting member (in the absence of the BSO) of the Scripps Research IBC and IACUC
• Carries out administrative/Biosafety prereview of IBC applications to ensure application include all required information and risk assessment to put safety controls in place
• Participates in developing IBC meeting agenda, assigning IBC reviewers, preparing meeting minutes
• Maintains administrative liaison with NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) for IBC issues including but not limited to submitting IBC roster and reportable incident reports to NIH
• Reviews SciQuest orders to ensure IBC registration compliance
• Works with the IBC, Biosafety team and EHS to develop and deliver training for IBC members, Scripps Research researchers and other stakeholders. Training includes but is not limited to addressing biosafety and laboratory safety requirements set by the NIH, CDC, DOT, IATA, USDA and OSHA, etc.
• Participates in department emergency response efforts and acts as a member of the emergency response team when biological materials are involved including after hours, on weekends, and holidays
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in microbiology or some other closely related biological science or discipline, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Three to five years of experience working in BSL2 or higher research laboratory and preferably with animals in ABSL2. Experience with research and/or activities involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, cell culture, biological agents, and materials preferred.
• Familiar with Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP), Aerosol Transmissible pathogen/Disease ( ATP/ATD), and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL).
• Eligibility to obtain certification as a Biological Safety Professional is preferred.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, presentation and computer skills, the latter requiring knowledge of and skill using applications such as MS Office, Adobe Acrobat and knowledge of web-based data bases.
• Related experience in an academic or scientific non-profit institutional setting preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to interact positively with and manage varied technical and non-technical personalities in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Must possess a high degree of self-reliance, flexibility, and initiative.
• This is an on-campus position requiring 4 days per week working onsite from our La Jolla campus, with flexibility to work 1 day per week remotely from home.

COMPENSATION:

The expected hiring range for this position is $77,900 annually to $93,400 annually, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan - Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of TSRI, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of TSRI staff.

EEO Statement:
The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status. Underrepresented individuals are encouraged to apply.