Biosafety Officer

Biosafety Officer

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven Biosafety Officer to lead and strengthen biosafety across our research enterprise. This role is a unique opportunity to help enable world-class science by advancing a strong, consistent, and forward-looking biosafety program that supports research excellence, operational integrity, and the responsible conduct of work involving biological materials. Working closely with researchers, institutional leaders, environmental health and safety professionals, and key governance partners, the Biosafety Officer will provide expert leadership in risk assessment, regulatory compliance, training, and program development in support of JAX’s mission to improve human health.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a global biosafety program that supports research, laboratory, and operational activities across JAX locations.
• Partner with institutional leadership, Environmental Health and Safety teams, researchers, and committees to ensure biosafety requirements are translated into practical, effective, and compliant processes.
• Provide expert guidance on the identification, evaluation, and control of biological risks, including laboratory practices, containment strategies, and facility-related biosafety considerations.
• Oversee biological and chemical risk assessments, protocol reviews, and program support for work involving biological agents, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid technologies, human materials, and other regulated biohazards, as applicable.
• Collaborate with governance bodies, including the Institutional Biosafety Committee, and other key stakeholders to review new work, amendments, incidents, and emerging biosafety issues.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance biosafety manuals, exposure control plans, guidance documents, training materials, and related program documentation.
• Monitor biosafety performance through audits, inspections, metrics, and management reviews, and use insights to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Lead or support investigations into biosafety incidents, concerns, and deviations; identify root causes; and help ensure effective and sustainable corrective actions are implemented.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, auditors, service providers, and site leaders, to support a consistent and effective biosafety framework.
• Serve as a visible leader and trusted advisor who promotes biosafety awareness, accountability, stewardship, and operational excellence across the organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, public health, environmental health and safety, engineering, or a related field.
• Significant professional experience in biosafety, environmental health and safety, laboratory safety, or a closely related function within a research, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or similarly complex environment.
• Strong knowledge of biosafety principles, laboratory containment practices, and regulatory frameworks relevant to biological research and laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated experience conducting biological and chemical risk assessments, supporting incident investigations, and implementing practical risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience working across functions and building effective partnerships with leaders, scientists, and operational teams on complex biosafety matters.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical requirements into clear guidance and practical action.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to fostering a proactive and service-oriented safety culture.
• Experience supporting biosafety programs across multiple geographic locations or within a global organization.
• Familiarity with frameworks and standards such as CDC and NIH biosafety guidance, NIH Guidelines, OSHA requirements, and management systems such as ISO 35001, ISO 45001, or ISO 14001.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience required; 6 years strongly preferred.

Pay Range: $92,192 - $143,962

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About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.