EH&S Lead

About Arc Institute

Arc Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology, working to accelerate scientific progress and understand the root causes of complex diseases. Founded in 2021 and based in Palo Alto, Arc partners with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco.

Unlike academia, our scientists have long-term funding and industry-like resources. Unlike industry, they're free to pursue high-risk, long-term research without commercial pressures. Arc's Technology Centers and Core Investigator labs work side by side, integrating experimental and computational biology under one roof to tackle problems neither could solve alone.

Our two Institute Initiatives reflect this model in action:

• Virtual Cell Initiative: Building a full-stack virtual cell model to identify disease mechanisms and nominate drug targets,  accelerating the path from biological insight to clinical trials.
• Alzheimer's Disease Initiative: Mapping the genes, pathways, and environmental factors behind Alzheimer's disease to develop drug candidates that address root causes.

More than 300 Arconauts work together at our Palo Alto headquarters, backed by substantial long-term philanthropic funding.

About the position

As EH&S Lead, you will own the development, implementation, and the management of Arc’s Environmental, Health, and Safety programs and culture. You will design solutions that satisfy overlapping local, state, and federal requirements, and serve as Arc’s primary point of contact for regulatory and certifying agencies.

Your remit covers chemical hygiene, biosafety, OSHA compliance, medical and hazardous waste, and Arc’s safety permits and sustainability programs. You will hire and manage a biosafety manager and direct the work of outside vendors and consultants.

About you

• You are deeply committed to the health and safety of your colleagues, and you achieve it through partnership with the labs rather than around them.
• You are genuinely curious about the science here and want to understand the research at a real level of depth.
• You thrive in a diverse environment and enjoy working with scientists and students from many backgrounds.
• You are energized by building programs and forging cross-functional partnerships that strengthen the community and the mission.

In this position you will

• Provide safety leadership and EH&S subject matter expertise aligned with Arc’s operating principles.
• Develop, implement, and maintain EH&S programs, procedures, and systems in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, driving continuous improvement.
• Develop Arc’s safety strategy and carry out safety policies and procedures in accordance with all applicable regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Hire, manage, and develop a biosafety manager, setting clear priorities and standards for their work.
• Advise Arc’s administrative team on safety and compliance for specific projects and operations.
• Define Arc’s approach to  EH&S employee safety and onboarding training, with a focus on efficiency and engagement.
• Own and evolve Arc’s compliance programs including, but not limited to, the Cal/OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard and biosafety program, chemical safety, radiation safety, and controlled substances.
• Own Arc’s environmental compliance strategy, including the industrial wastewater discharge permit, hazardous waste requirements, and regulatory permitting.
• Own risk assessment program and conduct regular risk assessments and safety audits to identify workplace hazards — chemical, physical, biological, industrial, and radiological among them — and remediate hazards or recommend improvements to reduce them.
• Lead investigations of accidents, incidents, injuries, and complaints concerning potential hazards or unsafe conditions to determine root causes and preventive measures.
• Conduct safety inspections and walkthroughs that deliver meaningful insight and surface continuous improvement opportunities across Arc’s labs.
• Develop and manage EH&S management systems covering chemical inventories, SDS, near-miss reporting, permitting compliance, and incident investigations.
• Oversee regulated medical and hazardous waste programs, including vendor contracting.
• Act as primary point of contact for regulatory and certifying agencies and government authorities.
• Own procurement and maintenance of safety equipment and supply inventory, ensuring onsite personnel are adequately protected from workplace hazards.
• Respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials.
• Develop, own and maintain Arc’s EH&S wiki.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene, biology, chemistry, environmental science, occupational safety and health, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of laboratory experience, including 5 years in EH&S, with a minimum of 2 years leading and developing EH&S programs.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a track record of managing multiple projects accurately and on time.
• Working knowledge of the scientific and technical aspects of applicable regulations — including Cal/OSHA, CalEPA, the Medical Waste Management Act, EPA, DEA, OSHA, NRC, and NFPA — and how they bear on laboratory operations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize resources, influence group behavior, and build consensus around safety practice.
• Able to work independently and as part of a dynamic team, with a positive attitude, a strong sense of urgency, and a bias toward action.
• Interest in learning new techniques, keeping accurate records, and working within established policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing people, including hiring, coaching, and developing direct reports.
• Demonstrated success leading change management in a research or lab environment.
• Experience with Animal Research Occupational Health and Safety programs.
• Experience supporting laboratory animal research involving biohazardous or hazardous materials.
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification.

The base salary range for this position is $127,000 to $157,000. These amounts reflect the range of base salary that the Institute reasonably would expect to pay a new hire or internal candidate for this position. The actual base compensation paid to any individual for this position may vary depending on factors such as experience, market conditions, education/training, skill level, and whether the compensation is internally equitable, and does not include bonuses, commissions, differential pay, other forms of compensation, or benefits. This position is also eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus, with the amount dependent on individual and institute performance factors.

In addition to the Base Salary and Annual Bonus above, you will be eligible to participate in the Institute’s Compound Cash Grant Program (the “CCGP”). The CCGP is a program designed to offer multi-year cash grants providing for a fixed dollar amount paid out in semi-annual installments to reward employees for staying and contributing to the Institute. As soon as reasonably practical after your start date, you will receive a grant letter describing the terms of your award under the CCGP.