Biosafety Specialist II

About the Opportunity

Summary:

The Biosafety Specialist II implements and maintains comprehensive biosafety programs that ensure compliance with regulations while protecting personnel, the public, and the environment from biological hazards. Working collaboratively with faculty, researchers, and laboratory staff, this position plays a key role in promoting a culture of safety and responsible research practices across our campuses.

The ideal candidate combines strong scientific knowledge with excellent communication abilities to positively influence safety performance, execute change, and solve problems. This service-oriented professional will thrive in a dynamic research environment while maintaining consistently high rates of safety and compliance.

This is a full-time position based on-site in Boston, with travel to other campuses in Massachusetts, Maine, and potentially other locations occasionally required. This position requires regular on-call availability outside of business hours to address emergency situations.

Key Responsibilities:

Biosafety Program Operations

• Implement and monitor institutional biosafety procedures in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Process service requests and respond to biosafety inquiries
• Perform pre- and post-approval monitoring (PPAM) biosafety audits
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Manage equipment, supplies, and vendors for biosafety programs

Training and Compliance

• Deliver and coordinate biosafety training programs
• Assist researchers with regulatory compliance
• Maintain documentation for regulatory agencies

Emergency Response

• Participate in on-call rotation as scheduled
• Investigate incidents, determine root causes, and document findings
• Implement corrective actions and verify effectiveness through follow-up

Qualifications:

Required

• BS degree in biological sciences, microbiology, plant sciences, or related field
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience with biological materials or in biosafety in a laboratory setting
• Ability to be medically qualified for respiratory protection and specialized PPE
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs
• Proficiency with standard office software

Preferred

• Experience in a research laboratory setting
• Familiarity with scientific equipment for safety applications
• Experience with specialized platforms such as SciShield
• Biosafety certification or willingness to obtain within first year

The university is unable to sponsor work for this role, now or in the future.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.