Research Associate - Biological Safety Program Specialist (0080290T)

Title: Research Associate (Biological Safety Program Specialist)

Position Number: 0080290T

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Research

Compliance (ORC), Animal Welfare and Biosafety Program

Location: Manoa Campus

Date Posted: 3/14/2025

Closing Date: 3/31/2025 @ 11:59pm

Band: B

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Duties and Responsibilities

(NOTE: ** denotes Essential Functions)

• **Responsible for organizing and coordinating monthly Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) business meetings, special meetings, and protocol reviews. Provides real-time, pre-audit meeting reviews and post-meeting summaries and comments for IBC submissions. Drafts and finalizes meeting minutes, post-incident reports, memos, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and policies as required.
• **Responsible for the administration, oversight and functionality of the IBCs electronic, protocol management system. Updates information for users of the system on the AWBP website.
• **Responsible for organizing and coordinating monthly Institutional Review Entity (IRE) business meetings and protocol reviews. Writes meeting minutes and/or post-incident reports and memos as required.
• **Assists the Biosafety Program in inspections of laboratories, greenhouses, screenhouses, and other facilities.
• **In coordination with the Biosafety Officer, process and provide guidance on permits and transportation authorizations for the University of Hawaii (UH) Biosafety Program and relevant regulatory agencies.
• **Manages and implements the training program for the UH Biosafety Office with emphasis on providing education to faculty, staff and students who are engaged in research on biosafety principles and best practices.
• **Manages and implements a comprehensive training database that allows for efficient retrieval of training information and includes a system to remind personnel to refresh their training before certification expiration.
• **Establishes and maintains expertise in industry, academic, and government standards and regulations, ensuring compliance and up-to-date knowledge.
• **Manages the program of biological waste disposal including the collection and disposal of sharps used for activities involving biological materials, monitoring the proper disposal of other biological wastes, and evaluation of research protocols from a biological waste perspective.
• **Assists the Biosafety Program to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations and guidelines which governs the procurement, use, storage and disposal of potentially hazardous biological and recombinant materials.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Work Experience

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in basic sciences or related area and 4 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for biological safety or laboratory/field-based research and/or teaching/training; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of biological and/or laboratory safety as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with research in a university setting.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
• For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable working knowledge of basic microbiology and biological safety practices and techniques, containment equipment, disinfection and decontamination procedures, and engineering principles related to the design and operation of BSL1 and BSL2 facilities.
• Demonstrated ability in providing training and education to faculty, staff, and students on safety principles and laboratory best practices in a university environment.
• Functional knowledge and understanding of Federal, State and County laws, standards and regulations pertaining to the procurement, use, storage and disposal of biological materials.
• Considerable working knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental health, occupational health and safety related hazards.
• Proven expertise in applying methods and procedures for conducting comprehensive inspections and audits of research activities involving biological materials.

Desirable Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience involving the use of microorganisms and biological materials.
• Familiarity with and practical experience with working in biocontainment facilities.
• Proficiency in environmental sampling techniques, with hands-on experience in collecting and handling air, water, soil, and other material samples in compliance with standard protocols.
• Considerable working knowledge of agricultural operations, plant, pest and microbial surveillance procedures.
• Demonstrated ability in testing and certifying biological safety cabinets, fumes hood and other containment equipment.
• Considerable working knowledge of the methods, procedures and techniques utilized in conducting health, safety and compliance inspections
• Extensive knowledge of the principals and practices of environmental health, occupational health and safety, and biological safety
• Proven experience in a biological safety program in an academic setting (college or university)

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit:

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: