Brandeis University is delighted to announce a career opportunity for a Lab Safety Specialist in the Office of Research Administration. If you are looking for an opportunity to work at a beautiful university campus with lots of perks including free parking and access to a top of the line athletic facility, look no further! At Brandeis we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical, dental and life insurances. If you hope to advance your career through educational opportunities, Brandeis offers tuition benefits for employees, dependents and spouses. Our 403b retirement savings plan includes a generous match.
Brandeis University’s Laboratory Safety, Compliance & Integrity (LabSCI) Program encompasses an array of inter-related programs that provide infrastructure and support to the research community and to the Laboratory Safety, Compliance & Integrity team. Such programs include the Animal Care & Use Program, the Biosafety Program and Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Controlled Substances Program, the Radiation Safety Program, and the Laboratory Safety Program. The LabSCI team is responsible for implementing best practices to ensure research is conducted safely, ethically, and in full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, institutional policies and guidelines.
As a member of the Office of Research Administration’s team, the Laboratory Safety Coordinator (LSC) reports to the Assistant Director, LabSCI. This role requires technical knowledge and experience rooted in a deep, nuanced, and continuously-updated understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and best practices in laboratory safety with a particular focus on hazard control hierarchy for chemical, physical, biological, radiological, ergonomic, or otherwise hazardous factors; selection of, training in, and maintenance of PPE; protections for hazardous waste; and, a broad application of identification and protection from general issues including electrical, physical and fire hazards. This work will involve relationship building, excellent administrative skills, problem solving, and training activities, and will require the LSC to work independently and horizontally across cross-functional teams and manage projects involving indirect reports from other departments within the university. The LSC will be responsible to review, evaluate, and analyze laboratory environments to design and implement programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease and injury; conduct inspections and incident investigations; and, is authorized to stop work when, in the position’s professional judgment, conditions present an imminent danger. The LSC will play an instrumental role in building and maintaining a comprehensive and dynamic Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Program in Brandeis’ teaching and research labs to cultivate a culture of safety and compliance and to support Brandeis’ core mission as a research institution.
Laboratory Safety Program & Chemical Hygiene (75%)
Program Development and Management Works with campus stakeholders including the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), the Laboratory Safety Committee, and other school, division, and department contacts to evaluate, implement, review annually, and make updates, as needed, to the Chemical Hygiene Plan and Laboratory Safety Manual. Coordinates updating the chemical inventory with EHS and other campus departments. Serves as an ex officio member on the Laboratory Safety Committee and may serve in an advisory capacity on other regulatory compliance committees (i.e. IBC, IRB, IBC, Laser/Radiation Safety, etc.). Maintains the Laboratory Safety database and all records associated with the operations of the Laboratory Safety Program.
Laboratory Safety Oversight Under the leadership of the Assistant Director, performs laboratory commissioning and decommissioning, oversight, coordination, and approvals. Actively monitors laboratory safety/compliance of research, teaching laboratories, research-related workshops, and other lab spaces through periodic inspections. Coordinates programmatic initiatives and inspections with the LabSCI team, lab personnel, and department heads to ensure that all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices are being followed and adhered to in all laboratory spaces on campus. Documents and communicates findings and tracks corrective actions to resolution/closure in a timely fashion. Coordinates the testing and maintenance of fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and emergency safety showers and eyewashes in all laboratories.
Safety Advising Provides technical expertise to the laboratory community in the area of laboratory safety and health, and serves as a point of contact to direct inquiries to other appropriate resources. Serves as a resource to review academic research protocols and standard operating procedures developed by Principal Investigators and department personnel for the use, disposal, spill cleanup, and decontamination of hazardous chemicals, and the proper selection and use of personal protective equipment. Ensures that guidelines are in place and appropriately communicated for particularly hazardous substances regarding proper labeling, handling, use, and storage, selection of proper personal protective equipment, and facilitating the development of standard operating procedures for laboratories using these substances. Anticipates and recognizes lab safety needs, creates safety solutions, and provides consultation to support the research community in a way that keeps pace with the dynamic research activities. Assists researchers with risk assessments and development, review, and approval of job hazard analyses. Onboards new Principle Investigators.
Training Conducts laboratory safety training sessions for laboratory personnel, classes, and assists laboratory supervisors in developing and conducting hands-on training sessions with personnel. Supports other training initiatives throughout the university, including the Responsible Conduct of Research, IACUC, IBC, IRB, and other trainings. Works with the LabSCI team to design, develop, and deliver chemical safety, general lab safety, and other types of safety training for faculty, staff, students, and visitors, including annual refresher training, online training materials, and the development of innovative methodology for training and learning. Provides lab safety principles and perspectives to committees such as: Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Review Board (IRB), Radiation Safety Committee, Laser Safety Committee, Public Health Committee, etc. Tracks all training and prepares reports of training compliance per regulatory and institutional requirements.
Incidents Under the leadership of the Assistant Director and in conjunction with EHS and Occupational Health, reviews reports and conducts investigations for laboratory incidents, accidents, chemical spills, and near misses and recommends follow up actions where appropriate. Performs assessments of safety complaints/concerns, non-compliances, and laboratory incidents; provides recommended corrective actions and lessons learned. Prepares reports to be reviewed by the Assistant Director for reporting to university senior leadership, as incident assessment documentation may affect conclusions reached by Workers’ Compensation claims and outcome of other investigative activities. For incidents, assesses exposure routes, degrees of potential exposure, and coordinates occupational health follow-up.
Communication Stays informed of plans for renovations or new laboratory construction projects and serves as a resource in providing code citations and internal standards to assist with the design and construction process. Keeps the senior administration informed on the progress of continued implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and Laboratory Safety Manual and brings campus-wide issues affecting laboratory safety to their attention. Keeps managers informed on sensitive laboratory safety issues.
Laboratory Safety, Compliance & Integrity (LabSCI) Team Support (25%)
Reviews research grant proposals, material transfer agreements, or protocols submitted through other safety/compliance committees (e.g. IACUC, IRB, IBC) to provide institutional guidance on safety requirements at the proposal stage, as well as advise on potential new areas of research.
Provides administrative support to the other functions of the LabSCI team (i.e. IACUC, IBC, Controlled Substances, etc.) and provides backup to the Radiation Safety Officer/Laser Safety Officer, as required.
Participates in general administrative support of office tasks with customer service attitude (e.g. general email, answering phone calls, committee meeting support).
Drafts updates to all program materials including development/changes of forms, applications and instructions, the websites, training materials, and other administrative tools supporting the work of the office and the investigators.
Works closely with the Environmental Health & Safety Office to support Laboratory Safety, and may provide shipping assistance to researchers who need to ship hazardous materials/dangerous goods as regulated by the Department of Transportation and the International Air and Transportation Association.
Assists in the oversight of student workers.
Additional Responsibilities:
Office and laboratory environment.
May be eligible for minimal hybrid work, but does require significant on-campus presence (at least 4 days/week), as this role serves the on-campus research community and will work in physical campus spaces.
Will be exposed to a laboratory environment, BSL 2+ areas, and research animals in the vivarium during inspections or other routine job functions and will require occupational health clearance.
Must be capable of lifting 50 pounds and be able to wear a variety of respirators/PPE, as necessary.
Education & Work Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (chemistry, biology, engineering, industrial hygiene, or other science field) required; master’s degree preferred. Or, an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
3-5 years relevant experience required.
Additional Requirements:
Knowledge of federal and local laws and regulations, guidance documents, and institutional policies, particularly those associated with (T)OSHA, ANSI, ASTM, ASHRAE, EPA, and applicable building codes, along with familiarity with federal regulations concerning the oversight requirements of biological materials, controlled substances, chemical, environmental, and occupational health and safety principles and practices, key concepts of hazards associated with scientific methods including current research techniques, and knowledge of standard laboratory equipment and engineering controls, as well as their proper use.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Google Suite Programs: Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Forms, etc.; Internet Functions; Adobe Professional; FileMaker Pro.
Project management experience with ability to manage projects to tight deadlines, within budget with minimal oversight.
Ability to manage ambiguity and be able to juggle and prioritize multiple time-sensitive demands in a rapidly changing organization and environment.
A collaborative and inclusive professional style, ability to build strategic relationships with staff, faculty and students at all levels, excellent organizational and communication skills (written, verbal, listening), ability to make strategic connections, and the utmost respect for discretion, confidentiality and professionalism.
A proven track record of achieving organizational efficiencies, removing administrative obstacles and delivering improved customer service in order to best serve the research community.
Excellent ability to communicate complex concepts to a lay audience, effectively train and develop staff to a high level of competency, and develop and present training materials for broad audiences.
Strong data management and analytical skills with an ability to prepare and present complex information effectively.
Experience and expertise in a university research setting.
Ability and inclination to anticipate future opportunities and consequences.
Resonance with the mission and goals of the Office’s priorities.
Some exposure to university senior management, often providing recommendations and analysis to senior leaders; provides support to faculty, students, and staff of all levels.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are important values at Brandeis today and always have been for they are rooted in our founding as an institution. These values serve as a reminder for self-reflection, and a continuous call to grow for us as Brandeisans. Founded as a model institution for ethnic and religious pluralism, Brandeis University welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all nationalities, religions, and orientations. Moreover, social justice is central to the mission of Brandeis, which endeavors to foster a just and inclusive campus culture that embraces the evolving diversity of our larger society. Read more online about our Mission and Diversity Statements at Brandeis Mission and Diversity Statements.
If you are interested in a role and have relevant experience but your work history does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we nevertheless encourage you to apply.
Closing Statement
Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.