Job Title: Biosafety Officer

As one of the world's largest and busiest health centers, Cleveland Clinic is committed to delivering high quality programs of patient care, research, and education. As such, the mission of the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) program is to create, promote, and maintain a safe and healthful environment for all individuals working and visiting the Cleveland Clinic. EHS multitalented Caregivers accomplish the mission through Biosafety, Fire Protection, Life Safety, Ergonomics, Hazardous Materials Management, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety, and Construction Safety Asbestos audits and trainings.

Job Summary: Cleveland Clinic is seeking a biological safety leader who can be part of a dynamic and rapidly growing organization. The Biological Safety Officer will serve as an expert resource in the development, implementation, management, and improvement of institutional biosafety programs. The Biological Safety Officer will oversee the biosafety program, ensures compliance with applicable rules and requirements, and uses data to develop corrective and preventative practices and procedures related to biosafety.

The Biological Safety Officer will work closely with the Lerner Research Institute, the home to laboratory-based, translational, and clinical research at Cleveland Clinic. Our scientists work closely with Cleveland Clinic physicians to transform groundbreaking discoveries made in the laboratory to the bedside, in order develop new treatments and cures. Lerner Research Institute researchers are at the forefront of biological discovery with research related to cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, brain and eye diseases, and diseases of inflammation and immune systems. With nearly 1,400 researchers and support personnel in 180 laboratories across 11 departments, the Lerner Research Institute is one of the largest research institutes in the nation, consistently ranking in the top 10 in National Institutes of Health funding, a benchmark of research success.

As a Biological Safety Officer, your responsibilities will be to:

• Develop, implement, and direct a comprehensive biosafety program for the health system
• Ensure organizational compliance with regulatory and sponsor requirements associated with biosafety
• Supervise Cleveland Clinic biosafety professionals
• Serve as a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and assist the IBC Chair by interacting with investigators whose work is under review by committee, reviewing research protocols to ensure adequate biosafety measures are included, providing guidance to IBC on containment issues, implementing IBC-approved policies and plans, and providing administrative support
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of biosafety principles and best practices and serve as a resource on related federal and state regulations
• Provide technical guidance to caregivers regarding equipment, facilities and work practices for protection of personnel, laboratories and environment from biological hazards
• Review experimental design, study protocols, procedures, and conduct risk assessments for research grant applications, material transfer agreements, research contracts, and research activities involving biohazardous agents and materials. These agents and materials may include recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid (rsNA), infectious agents, toxins, human-derived and nonhuman primate-derived materials, and human gene transfer clinical trials to ensure safe practices in support of the health system's IBC, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Ensure facility compliance with regulations and guidelines pertaining to use, handling, shipping, and disposal of potential biohazards and rsNA
• Investigate accidents in regards to Biosafety issues and develop corrective action plans
• Assist with investigations and reporting of non-compliance
• Develop and implement emergency response procedures for incidents involving biohazardous agents and materials

Qualifications
Education

• A Master of Science or Ph.D. in biological science (i.e., microbiology, bacteriology, virology etc.) or related field

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience in a biomedical research laboratory or related combination of education and experience. Experience in microbiology research is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years experience in the field of biological safety in a biomedical research facility
• Knowledge of NIH Guidelines, NIH/CDC BMBL guidelines, USG Policy for DURC, import and export programs (e.g. CDC IPP, APHIS, Bureau of Industry and Security), OSHA, and granting agency requirements
• Experience working in or supervising BSL-3 containment research is preferred
• Experience working with select agents or managing select agents research is preferred

Certifications

• Certification or eligibility for certification by American Biosafety Association (ABSA) as a Registered Biosafety Professional or Certified Biological Safety Professional is preferred

Cleveland Clinic is one of the world's largest and busiest health centers. Patients come to Cleveland Clinic from all over the world. We offer advanced treatment for all illnesses and disorders of the body. We enjoy a strong reputation for outstanding quality care. U.S News & World Report has declared that we are a top hospital in the country. Cleveland Clinic's heart program has ranked No. 1 in the nation since 1995.

Eight other Cleveland Clinic specialties are ranked in the Top 10. Cleveland Clinic earned the highest ranking of any Ohio hospital.

Other specialties noted for national excellence include ENT and pediatrics. Cleveland Clinic Children's offers highly specialized pediatric care in a family-centered atmosphere. It has been ranked the best children's hospital in Ohio by Child magazine.

Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 as a not-for-profit group practice, integrating clinical and hospital care with research and physician education. In addition to our Cleveland location, we have Cleveland Clinic Florida, Cleveland Clinic Nevada, Cleveland Clinic Canada, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Cleveland Clinic London is also scheduled to open in February 2021.

Cleveland Clinic has more than 4,200 salaried physicians and scientists on staff, representing approximately 120 specialties and subspecialties. Patients came to us from across America and from more than 180 nations. We also lead an extensive system of community hospitals in Northeast Ohio called the Cleveland Clinic Hospitals.

This system is made up of Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, Akron General Hospital, Avon Hospital, Euclid Hospital, Fairview Hospital, Hillcrest Hospital, Lodi Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Marymount Hospital, Medina Hospital, South Pointe Hospital, and Union Hospital. Ashtabula County Medical Center is also an affiliate of Cleveland Clinic. With approximately 5,895 staffed beds, Cleveland Clinic Hospitals offers broad geographic coverage, a full continuum of care, improved quality and lower cost of care to Northeast Ohio residents.

Cleveland Clinic was named a top hospital and health system by Diversity Inc. in 2019. Companies on this list score well in talent pipeline, talent development, leadership commitment, and supplier diversity.

Cleveland Clinic values a culture where caregivers integrate diversity and inclusion throughout the enterprise. We respect and appreciate our similarities and differences; they enable us to better serve our patients, one another, and our global communities.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment/affirmative action employer: Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

Smoke/drug free environment.

Any application submitted without a CV will delay the review process

Please be advised that all information entered in your application will only be shared with Cleveland Clinic and will not be distributed to third parties.

Cleveland is part of Northeast Ohio which is composed of six metropolitan areas. Each of them provides affordable real estate, excellent schools, safe communities as well as an abundance of outdoor activities. Find out here how great it is to live in Cleveland!

The policy of Cleveland Clinic and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our employees and applicants for employment in our tobacco free and drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substance and nicotine. Job offers will be rescinded for candidates for employment who test positive for nicotine. Candidates for employment who are impacted by Cleveland Clinic's Smoking Policy will be permitted to reapply for open positions after 90 days. Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic facility.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment employer: Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities