Assistant Biosafety Officer, aBSO

Position: Assistant Biosafety Officer, aBSO (5303C) - 83152

Assistant Biosafety Officer, aBSO (5303C) – 83152 (Berkeley, CA)

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff. As a world‑leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice.

Departmental

Overview

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety’s (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship. EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast‑paced organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community.

Position Summary

The Assistant Biosafety Officer (aBSO) serves as a technical associate to the Campus Biosafety Officer, ensuring the safe use of campus biological agents, recombinant DNA and biohazards in accordance with NIH Guidelines and other applicable regulations. The aBSO reviews research, teaching, and biological use authorization (BUA) protocols, ensures compliance with federal, state, and university mandated laws, and conducts on‑site inspections of laboratory research facilities.

Application

Review Date

First Review Date: 12/30/2025. Final application due: 01/05/2026. Position open until filled.

Responsibilities

• Review Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) and procedures to ensure compliance with CDC, NIH and other applicable regulations.
• Communicate with BUA holders regarding regulatory training compliance, biosafety cabinet certification, and Material Transfer Agreements.
• Design new or recommend improvements to existing processes and procedures.
• Perform outreach and training to clients and colleagues.
• Support Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
• Serve as a technical associate to the Campus Biosafety Officer, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.

Animal Research Biosafety

• Conduct biosafety inspections of animal research facilities.
• Identify corrective actions and write detailed inspection reports.
• Follow up on corrective actions and raise issues to the Biosafety Officer as needed.
• Assist in investigating biological or animal‑related incidents and develop corrective action plans.
• Support development of the animal biosafety program, including SOP creation and training materials.
• Support controlled substances program components in animal research.
• Provide guidance on safe work practices, engineering controls, PPE, workflow optimization, and ABSL requirements.
• Coordinate with veterinary, environmental health and safety, and research oversight groups.
• Review Animal Use Protocol (AUP) submissions for biosafety accuracy.
• Act as liaison to IACUC, offering biosafety expertise during protocol review cycles.
• Collaborate with ACUC staff to track trends and develop process improvements.

Biosafety

• Conduct biosafety inspections of laboratories working with pathogens and recombinant DNA.
• Define corrective actions and write inspection reports.
• Follow up on inspections and recommend corrective actions to BSO.
• Investigate incidents, write regulatory incident reports, perform root‑cause analysis, and devise recommendations.
• Audit agent inventory to verify BUA accuracy.
• Provide guidance to researchers on safe work practices.

Safety Consultation and Hazard Assessment

• Investigate incidents, complaints, and assist with follow‑up action items.
• Consult with researchers and involve EH&S SMEs to reduce hazards.
• Adjust methodologies to meet regulatory changes.
• Provide support to other EH&S programs as needed.
• Assist with bio‑related shipping requests to ensure compliance with DOT and IATA guidelines.

Field of Biosafety Knowledge

• Maintain knowledge/expertise on existing and proposed changes in all regulations; interpret and apply relevant laws, codes and standards.
• Complete and maintain compliance with campus training requirements.

Staff Development

• Work on professional committees and assignments; participate in training and attend conferences; be mentored or coached.

Designated Spill Response Team (DSRT)

• Provide…