Career Center

The mission of the Research Laboratory Support Office (RLSO) is to promote safe science and ensure compliance through active engagement, outreach, and education. To work collaboratively in establishing policies, programs, and best practices that foster a culture of high reliability and psychological safety throughout the research enterprise.

The ultimate goal of the Research Lab Safety Specialist is to ensure that the research environment is safe for all personnel, comply with safety regulations, and promote a culture of safety. This includes reducing the likelihood of accidents or incidents that could harm people, damage property, or disrupt research operations.

The Research Lab Safety Specialist:
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• Consults with research investigators to conduct hazard assessments to identify potential risks in the lab, such as chemical, biological, physical, or ergonomic hazards as well as ensure compliance.
• Performs safety audits and inspections of lab environments to ensure adherence to safety standards and identify areas for improvement.
• Develops, writes and implements standard operating procedures and lab-specific training programs for research laboratory operations. Research alternative practices for operational improvements.
• Develops, implements, and continuously improves safety protocols, policies, and procedures for lab operations.
• Provides research lab support in federal good lab safe practice guidelines. Inspects and assesses research laboratories. Reports findings to Research Operations, Principal Investigators and Hospital Safety.
• Contributes to teamwork. Supports the efforts of Research Lab Support Office, Animal Protocol Support and Assurance, Research Facilities, Animal Care and Use Committee, the Lab Representatives Group and Radiation Safety.
• Provides support for Research Repository Protection programs. Develops plans with laboratories for the protection of research repositories.

To Qualify, you must have:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Science in environmental health and safety, industrial hygiene, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field.
• 1 year of post degree course work and/or an internship and two to three years' experience.
• Analytical skills necessary to plan for, design or enhance highly complex hospital-wide systems and programs, resolve problems requiring a comprehensive and state-of-the-art awareness of the technology and literature in a professional, technical or scientific field.
• Knowledge of research regulatory requirements in an academic research environment.
• Desirable to have knowledge and training in good laboratory practices. (GMP/GLP).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey information and procedures.
• Ability to write detailed reports and proposals for review by management.
• Ability to identify and address safety challenges in the laboratory setting, often with a quick and pragmatic approach.