The Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Connecticut is seeking an energetic professional with a scientific background and experience with biosafety, recombinant DNA, biological agents and toxins to coordinate the Institutional Biosafety Program and provide professional guidance and administrative support to faculty, the IBC and the UConn research community.

Characteristic duties and responsibilities include: Coordinate the Institutional Biosafety Program and provide professional guidance and administrative support to the faculty, Institutional Biosafety Committee and University research community; perform scientific review of registration forms for completeness, accuracy and scientific validity in accordance with regulations; ensuring timely data entry and processing of registrations; development and implementation of a post-approval audit process; development and delivery of related training in a variety of formats; serve as liaison for and coordinator for related matters between the various research and regulatory offices; perform IBC administrative support functions, including interpretation of guidelines and responding to inquiries, preparing correspondence and reports, logistical set up of meetings; recommend policies, procedures and standard operating guidelines that facilitate compliance; perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or other appropriate field, or an Associate’s degree in Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or other appropriate field plus two years’ experience in biosafety; two or more years of experience working in a research, teaching, or laboratory setting; ability to work independently and to interpret policies and procedures to solve unusual and/or difficult problems; excellent organizational skills; experience developing and maintaining computerized databases and tracking systems; excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of University administrators, staff, researchers, and students.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree or specialized background in Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or other related field; experience in institutional/environmental biosafety; experience in an academic research or higher education environment; knowledge of federal regulations and guidelines relating to the use of biological agents; experience creating online training and teaching/training various size groups.

The University of Connecticut offers a comprehensive package of salary and benefits.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately. Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, resume and a list of at least three professional references via Husky Hire at http://jobs.uconn.edu/.

For confidential inquiries or additional information please contact:
Laurie Pudlo, Administrative Manager
Office of the Vice President for Research
University of Connecticut
laurie.pudlo@uconn.edu
860.486.4247

The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a Land Grant and Sea Grant college and member of the Space Grant Consortium, and is ranked among the top 19 public universities in the nation according to the 2015 U.S. News and World Report. In support of an ambitious state investment in economic development, higher education, and research, the Office of the Vice President for Research seeks highly motivated, skilled, and engaged individuals to work within an increasingly diverse and complex research environment.

 

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance, this position coordinates the Institutional Biosafety Program and provides specialized technical and administrative coordination and oversight for the Institutional Biosafety Program Committee on the Storrs/regional campuses.

Responsibilities

1. Provide professional guidance and administrative support to faculty, department administrators, and committee members in the areas of research involving recombinant DNA, biological agents and toxins.
2. Support the Institutional Biosafety Committee by providing preliminary review of registration forms for completeness, accuracy and scientific validity in accordance with state and federal regulations.
3. Develop and maintain databases for IBC registration forms; analyze and prepare required reports and disposition letters; provide the Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance with timely information regarding the Biosafety registration process.
4. Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance and the Environmental Health & Safety Biosafety Officer in the development and delivery of a training program.
5. Collaborate with the Director of Research Compliance and the Environmental Health & Safety Biosafety Office to develop and implement a post-approval monitoring program to audit IBC-approved research projects to ensure they are conducted in accordance with state and federal regulations, and the approved protocol.
6. Provide follow-up to routine questions relating to institutional biosafety oversight.
7. Compose and/or edit routine correspondence and other documentation for own or supervisor’s review and/or signature. Set meetings and agendas for the IBC.
8. Offer recommendations regarding standards, policies and procedures that facilitate compliance and serve as a resource to research personnel.
9. Act as liaison and coordinator for related matters between the various research and regulatory offices within the University, including UConn Health’s Biosafety Office.
10. Maintain institutional records and internal databases, including IBC registration forms; prepares materials for the website.
11. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or other appropriate field, or an Associate’s degree Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or other appropriate field plus two years’ experience in biosafety.
2. Two or more years of experience working in a research, teaching, or laboratory setting.
3. Ability to work independently and to interpret policies and procedures to solve unusual and/or difficult problems.
4. Excellent organizational skills.
5. Experience developing and maintaining computerized databases and tracking systems.
6. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of University administrators, staff, researchers, and students.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree or specialized background in Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or other related field.
2. Experience in institutional/environmental biosafety.
3. Experience in an academic research or higher education environment.
4. Knowledge of federal regulations and guidelines relating to the use of biological agents.
5. Experience creating online training and teaching/training various size groups.