Research Biosafety Officer

Position Details

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Title:

Research Biosafety Officer

Posting

Summary:

The University of Vermont is seeking a dedicated and forward‑thinking individual to enhance our institutional biosafety program. This role is ideal for a mid‑career professional with a solid foundation in biosafety practices, regulatory compliance, and risk assessment, who is ready to take on broader responsibilities and drive strategic improvements in biosafety culture and operations. UVM values both established skills and the quest for more knowledge;

time‑tested practices and innovative solutions. Share your distinctive strengths to empower scientific research that is a public good – shaping healthy societies and a healthy environment.

The University of Vermont is a top 100 public university in the United States. Holding an R1 research designation, it is home to over 1,200 full‑time faculty scholars, ranging from biomedical research to musical composition. Our faculty, staff and students engage daily in the pursuit of meaningful and impactful research, scholarship, and creative work.

The Research Protections Office has been delegated authority and responsibility by the Vice President for Research to administer oversight of research‑specific biosafety, including research involving potentially hazardous biological materials, recombinant or synthetic DNA, agents requiring high‑containment (A/BSL‑3 and/or Select Agents), and use of biological agents in research animals. UVM has approximately 1,200 labs within the College of Medicine as well as a 3,000‑square‑foot high‑containment facility dedicated to BSL‑3 and A/BSL‑3 research.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, or related relevant science.
• Eight or more years of relevant experience of which four or more years to include direct experience involving assessing and/or handling biological material or infectious pathogens, preferably in an academic research environment. A master’s degree in a relevant field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.

• Strong proficiency in public speaking and technical writing. Must be comfortable speaking to large audiences and explaining complex regulatory requirements to both scientists and lay people.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to compose reports, correspondence, and summaries in a comprehensive and organized manner.
• Advanced ability to understand and apply all relevant federal, state, and university regulations policies, and federal guidance documents.
• Master level knowledge of office productivity software, and internet research, a quick learner of new specialty application software; especially for protocol submission workflow management.
• Capacity to efficiently and effectively handle multiple demands and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated self‑discipline and independent judgement.
• Strong understanding of skills and tasks to provide superior customer service to facilitate research.

• Advanced degree in microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, or molecular genetics.
• Direct or substantial collateral experience with the Federal Select Agent Program.

Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) and/or Certified Biosafety Professional (CBSP) preferred.

Anticipated Pay Range: $87,000 - $95,000

• Employment with UVM requires successful completion of background checks in accordance with university policies.
• This position can be required to submit to, pass, and maintain a Security Risk Assessment conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice for persons with access to any Select Agents.
• This position can be required to submit to, pass and maintain an ongoing Suitability Assessment as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice for persons with access to any Select Agents.
• This position can be required to submit and receive approval for access to select biological agents and toxins by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• Achieve and maintain medical…