BioSafety Officer & High Containment Lab Director (Onsite)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the rang $110,000 - $125,000.

This position is 100% onsite.

Initial applicant review will take place on or around May 25, 2026. Posting will remain open until offer acceptance.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

This Bio Safety Officer & High Containment Lab Director (HCLD) takes ownership of the biosafety and biosecurity program at the University, serves as the SME for this program as well as other disciplines related to environmental, health, and safety, including but not limited to other laboratory safety programs within the EH&S Department programs, as assigned by the EH&S Director. Applies professional knowledge and expertise in research laboratory biosafety research and serves other biosafety specialty areas and may serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for other relevant program(s), within EH&S. Work is reviewed upon completion to ensure predetermined standards and measures of performance are met, that application of professional/technical judgment is sound, that researcher's support needs are addressed and that faculty, staff and co-workers are treated with respect.

Demonstrates sound judgment in selecting both the means and methods for obtaining desired results regarding compliance and support obligations; provides regulatory interpretation of biosafety and biosecurity obligations for laboratory practices, and provides technical support and assistance for all issues involving the University's biological safety and biosecurity.

Provides service and support to university academics, facilities, operational departments, and EH&S co-workers for all biological safety matters and will provide timely and accurate interpretation of current laboratory practices and proposed laboratory practices in light of regulatory compliance obligations and best management practices exercised in the field of Biological safety.

Serves as a lead within the department, with responsibility for training, orienting, and mentoring peers; coordinates and monitors work; leads day-to-day work of lower-level staff and peers; reviews and approves timesheets and provides ongoing informal feedback on employee performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

LABORATORY BIOLOGICAL SAFETY AND BIOLOGICAL SECURITY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT:

• Research biosafety compliance: Position works with research and teaching laboratories in order to ensure biosafety compliance and support to principal investigators and instructors through review and approval of laboratory safety plan supplements, and at least annual laboratory compliance inspections for compliance with NIH, CDC, and CA OSHA guidelines and regulatory requirements.

• Responsible Official: Position will serve as the university's responsible official for the University's biological select agent and toxins (BSAT) program, and as the university's liaison to NIH for compliance.

• IBC: Position will serve and support the university Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) as the campus Biological Safety Officer BSO; duties include planning and scheduling IBC meetings, working with IBC, faculty, and staff to design and implement plans and procedures for biosafety in laboratories to protect personnel from the adverse effects of biological agents and the safe handling and regulatory compliant treatment and disposal of biohazardous laboratory waste.

• BUAs: Position will review and approve university biological use authorizations (BUAs), evaluate and perform risk assessments for work with biological agents and toxins, and provide assistance and support to research and teaching laboratories for the safe use, proper containment, and managed disposal of biohazardous waste.

• Compliance Support: Position will maintain a working knowledge of current regulatory requirements, university program guidelines, and industry best practices in order to support biological safety in university laboratories. Position will oversee and, as necessary, participate in laboratory safety and compliance inspections to meet regulatory requirements and policy requirements.

• Leadership: Position is part of the EHS leadership team and may provide oversight and management of certain EHS programs and ensure the development of EHS programs, policies, and procedures to provide administrative guidance in these EH&S program areas.

HIGH CONTAINMENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR:

• High Containment Lab Director: The HCLD is responsible for maintaining records/documents necessary to meet regulatory compliance for operation of the lab. Will represent UCM on UC systemwide workgroups and will be responsible for ensuring training and compliance in all matters related to the BLS-3 / High Containment Laboratory. The position will provide support and assistance to UCM researchers and manage regulatory compliance with biosafety, including BSL-3 agents and select agents in university laboratories.

• Grant Proposals: The position will assist in reviewing and providing necessary comments on university grant proposals involving biological agents and biological research. Training: The position will provide subject matter expertise, evaluate and identify appropriate safety training, including the review of biological safety training sufficiency, and adjust training program elements accordingly in order to ensure regulatory training compliance and personnel needs in research laboratories

ANIMAL RESEARCH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM SUPPORT:

• IACUC: The position will serve as EH&S representative to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and support research safety, performing work with animals, and support occupational health and safety in animal research.

• Medical Surveillance: The position will manage the medical surveillance and screening program for research personnel working with animals.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN PROGRAM SAFETY:

• Program Management: The position will provide management oversight and monitoring of employee safety and health related to preparedness and the prevention of employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens that may be present in laboratory research. Key Responsibilities

• Compliance Support: The position will provide regulatory compliance monitoring and support to university research laboratory personnel in developing and implementing bloodborne pathogen Exposure Control Plans.

• Occupational Health and Safety Support: This position works closely with the Occupational Health provider (Nurse Practitioner) and the Campus Risk Manager in support of campus needs ranging from biological safety program needs and program success, BBP preparedness and prevention regulatory compliance, high containment research compliance support requirements, in addition to other campus biological safety requirements, e.g., employee Occupational Health monitoring and clearance.

EH&S AND RESEARCH SUPPORT:

• Team Member: The position will serve as a key member of the EH&S leadership team, providing compliance management and support to university researchers across all EH&S biological safety functions, as well as COVID-19 response, preparedness planning, and operations. Administrative Support: The Position will support University researchers and ORED in providing review and comment for Grant Proposals.

• Committee Representation: The position will serve to represent EH&S on campus and systemwide workgroups, committees, and partnerships. Other duties as assigned: This position, due to its highly technical expertise and scope, will lead within the EH&S organization and may be assigned additional duties as necessary to support organizational compliance obligations and operational efficiency.

*LI-RM1

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in related discipline (i.e., Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biological Safety, security, or related area, or equivalent experience/training; and/or on Requirement - Position

• Advanced degree PhD in Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related science discipline from an accredited university; and

• Five (5) years of directly related, progressively responsible experience, or equivalent experience/training (required). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Position

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the identification, evaluation, and management control of biological and occupational health and safety hazards with broad-based cumulative experience in a laboratory setting.

• The ability to perform technical reviews of biosafety proposals involving the management and use of infectious agents, recombinant DNA, and blood-borne pathogens.

• The ability to perform technical reviews of animal research proposals involving occupational health and safety concerns, field research safety, laboratory safety, and biosafety to support university research. The ability to design, develop and present biosafety training to university audiences.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with hazard analysis and hazard control including the design, development, and implementation of hazard control programs consisting of engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices, and the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent accidents and injuries

• Demonstrated, broad-based working knowledge of biological safety and laboratory regulatory requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a biological safety program in compliance with regulatory requirements and in support of research laboratories.

• Demonstrated ability to work with personal computers, including the demonstrated knowledge and use of Microsoft Office word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, and the ability to learn and use UCOP database software applications for program management of biological safety.

• Demonstrated ability for punctuality, teamwork, service, and support in BSO position.

• Training and experience in emergency response to biological safety incidents.

• Exemplary written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and skill to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.

• Thorough knowledge/understanding of specific EH&SR field(s) including related laws and regulations, and general knowledge/understanding of all EH&S fields.

• Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within time

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Other