Laboratory Safety Specialist

Department Provost Office of Research Safety About the Department

The Office of Research Safety (ORS) provides a research safety framework, subject matter expertise, emergency response, and management of research safety support activities for the University to ensure that laboratory and field research are conducted safely and in accordance with federal and institutional guidelines. The ORS leads the development of university-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe research environment and to facilitate research compliance and is guided institutionally by the Research Safety Policy Council (RSPC).

The ORS works closely with counterparts in the academic Divisions, the University Environmental Health and Safety Office, the Medical Center Environmental Health and Safety Office, Facilities Services, Physical Plant, Project Management, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

The Laboratory Safety Specialist (LSS) is responsible for managing and providing technical guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis to ensure a safe environment in which to facilitate research and the pursuit of academic excellence. This position provides input into University-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures as a key member of the research safety community, in addition to providing input on the allocation of roles and responsibilities for research safety between the Office of Research Safety and the divisional Laboratory Safety Specialists.

The Laboratory Safety Specialist will work with departments to develop and implement strategic initiatives to foster safety culture at all levels and in all areas of the laboratory safety program, working closely and in coordination with building managers and project managers across the University. This position reports to the Director of Operations.

• Serve as the single point of contact for assigned departments, Principal Investigators (PIs), and research teams on research safety issues and addressing research safety needs.
• Assist with all research safety support, collaborating with the Office of Research Safety, Animal Resource Center, and Environmental Health and Safety.
• Demonstrate a regular presence in laboratories, building strong partnerships with assigned PIs and their research teams.
• Work with research teams to develop systems and procedures for maintaining laboratory chemical inventories and monitor the status of records.
• Ensure compliance of laboratory safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, fume hood certifications).
• Help PIs develop Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols in conjunction with the Office of Research Safety and Animal Resource Center veterinarians.
• Conduct orientation training sessions with new PIs, ensuring they understand their research safety roles and responsibilities and how to acquire required support.
• Monitor adherence to training requirements in coordination with the Office of Research Safety and inform PIs about non-compliance.
• Work with PIs and departments to procure safety equipment and supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, hazardous materials) for assigned research teams.
• Conduct inspections of all research laboratories and lab support areas based on risk level; recommend corrective actions and perform follow-up verification of deficiency corrections.
• Schedule and partner with Office of Research Safety staff for laboratory safety inspections, ensuring adherence to government regulations and University standards, policies, and procedures.
• Review and research appropriate hazard control and mitigation strategies — including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment — and support faculty and research staff in the implementation of these strategies.
• Perform risk analysis on the University’s environmental and occupational health and safety programs; implement alternatives or improvements as needed.
• Monitor compliance and provide data to the Office of Research Safety and…