About the Department
The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and
evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address
global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the
University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first
new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next
phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse
backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the
forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.
Job Summary
The
Laboratory Safety Specialist (LSS) for the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is responsible for managing and providing technical
guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis of the PME laboratory safety program to ensure a safe environment in which to facilitate
research and the pursuit of academic excellence. Laboratory safety includes the delivery of safety services to all facilities involved in
research for both laboratories and lab support areas.
In fulfilling these responsibilities, the LSS will liaise with the Office of
Research Safety (ORS) on issues related to chemical, biological, radiological and laser safety, and work closely with Environmental Health
and Safety (EHS) on life safety and environmental issues. Reporting to the Director of Facilities, the LSS provides input into divisional
and University-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures as a key member of the research safety community in addition to
providing input on the allocation of roles and responsibilities for research safety between the ORS and the divisional Laboratory Safety
Specialists. The LSS works with the Director of Facilities and PME leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives to foster a
culture of safety at all levels and all areas in PME.
Responsibilities
· Serves as the primary point
of contact for PME principal investigators (PI) and research teams and acts as a liaison for these PIs to ORS and EHS on research safety
issues.
· Stays abreast of any changes within the lab and builds a strong partnership with PIs and their research teams.
· Collaborates with PIs and/or their delegates on a regular basis as a partner in addressing research safety needs, meeting as
often as necessary to discuss research work performed, safety risks, training and safety material needs, and other measures to mitigate
risk.
· Works with PIs and department staff to assess the needs and procurement of safety equipment and supplies (e.g.,
personal protective equipment, hazardous materials) for assigned research teams and laboratory research operations.
· Works
with the ORS to identify training offerings and/or assists the PI in determining training elements that the PI will need to provide via
team-specific training.
· Works with PIs and/or their delegates to assess safety risks and develop appropriate safety controls
for research experiments or procedures with significant safety risks with support from the ORS.
· Conducts routine tours and
demonstrates a regular presence in the laboratories, building a strong partnership with PIs and their research teams.
·
Provides research safety knowledge and support to departments, PIs, and respective research teams with support from the ORS.
·
Works with PME administration and Facilities teams to establish and assess needs for capital projects and new lab
construction/renovation.
· Working with PME and ORS, generates reports to provide detailed and actionable analysis of trends
as needed.
· Works with the ORS to monitor adherence compliance with training requirements and inform PIs about
non-compliance.
· In partnership with ORS representatives, and in collaboration with departmental personnel, conducts
inspections of all research laboratories and lab support areas as determined by risk level for unsafe conditions and work practices.
Recommends corrective actions and performs follow-up verification of deficiency correction status. Monitors implementation of controls and
corrective actions.
· Reviews and research appropriate hazard control and mitigation strategies, including engineering
controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment, and supports faculty and research support staff in the implementation
of these control strategies.
· In collaboration with ORS, conducts orientation training sessions with new PIs, staff, and
incoming students, ensuring they understand their research safety roles and responsibilities and how to acquire required support.
· Interfaces with EHS to determine non-laboratory specific training needs for the assigned laboratory areas and research teams and
works with team members and the PI to ensure those requirements are met.
· Serves on laboratory safety related committees and
participates in departmental and campus-wide work groups to facilitate laboratory injury prevention, best fact practices, and lessons
learned.
· Identifies benchmarking metrics for laboratory safety and uses database technology and tracking systems to generate
reports on a regular basis.
· Participates as a member of the emergency response team including the rotation of On-Call Safety
Officer and responds to emergency incidents.
· Participates in the investigation of all research accidents/illnesses.
· Works with research teams and ORS to develop systems and procedures for maintaining their laboratories’ chemical inventory
and monitor status of records.
· Develops recommendations to improve the overall laboratory safety management system including
the tracking of chemical inventories, inspections, and laboratory assets.
· Monitors overall safety compliance, including
compliance of laboratory safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, fume hood certifications), and provides information
and data to both the ORS and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in support of regulatory agency laboratory safety inspections.
· Assists labs in maintaining training records in Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) or other data management
software in a timely manner, for the purposes of access to secure labs and other areas.
· Provides lead support to the PME and
in concert with the Physical Sciences Division (PSD) & ORS.
· With a moderate level of guidance, interprets University
environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs. Ensures legal compliance and develops
procedures. Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns.
· Plans and executes surveys, audits, and inspections of
instruments, laboratories, and other facilities to ensure compliance with government and University policies and procedures. Analyzes data
and initiatives immediate corrective action plans and follow-up to ensure implementation.
· Performs risk analysis on the
University’s environmental and occupational health and safety programs and implements alternatives or improvements to current programs.
· Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
· Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
· Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work
experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
· Driver’s License – Multiple States
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
· Bachelor’s or Master’s
degree in STEM field.
Experience:
· Engineering, Biotechnology or Bioengineering background.
· Experience with live cell cultures, human tissue, animal husbandry.
· Five plus years of Experience in a
laboratory or related industry (chemical manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research laboratory, etc.).
·
Competence in electrical safety matters, particularly in a research setting.
· Demonstrated knowledge of safety issues related
to the operation of overhead cranes and fall protection.
· Demonstrated Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental
health and safety codes, regulations, and ordinances.
· Knowledge of basic principles of laboratory safety and chemical
hazards, cryogens, lasers.
· Experience in Chemical Hygiene/laboratory safety practices.
Licenses and
Certifications:
· Relevant certifications (e.g., Hazardous Materials Technician or higher classification, certified
safety professional, certified industrial hygienist, safety management certificate, qualification in laboratory safety).
·
Within the first six months of employment, will be required to obtain medical clearances for using respiratory protection necessary for
HAZMAT response as well as 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.
· Valid driver’s license and ability to successfully complete
the University’s Motor Vehicle Records check process is required.
Technical Skills of Knowledge:
· Proficient in Microsoft Window, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Preferred
Competencies
· Must be detail oriented and able to prepare documents and/or reports as necessary.
·
Ability to maintain professionalism, credibility and good service delivery practices when dealing with all contacts, internal and
external.
· Ability to remain calm and objective throughout stressful and unpleasant situations. Willingness and ability to
make timely, sound decisions and accept concomitant responsibility.
· Ability to communicate effectively and consistently with
others using tact when necessary.
· Ability to manage sensitive emergency situations.
· Ability to establish and
maintain effective working relationships with the general public and members of the University community.
· Ability to work
with people of various ages and backgrounds and with diverse constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, and staff in the
University and the Medical Center.
· Ability and skill to build consensus and credibility across the campus.
·
Ability to resolve conflicts and manage sensitive emergency situations appropriately.
· Demonstrated self-restraint in
challenging and/or difficult situations.
· Ability to mentally and physically react effectively, quickly, calmly, and
rationally during times of conflicts and emergencies.
· Proven ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of
constituencies.
· High level of writing and presentation skills for both groups and one on one.
· Knowledge of
Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
· Ability to synthesize complex material to assist
decision-making and to communicate priorities.
· Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities simultaneously.
· Considerable skill in working both independently and as part of a team.
· Demonstrated outstanding written,
verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills.
· Knowledge in electrical safety issues is highly desired.
Working
Conditions
· Ability to be on-call and available to work nights, weekends, holidays as necessary.
Application Documents
· Resume (required)
· Cover Letter (preferred)
·
Professional Reference Contact List (3) (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via
the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
To Apply
Interested applicants must apply to requisition JR24230 at https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Chicago-IL/Lab-Safety-Specialist_JR24230
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender
identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or
other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request
via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places
the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform
and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that
includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University
considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the
proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety
Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency
response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are
available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
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