Biological and Chemical Safety Officer in Oxford

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we are on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real-world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators, and innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges in four transformative areas: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing CO₂, and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Welcome to the Generative Biology Institute (GBI) at EIT, which is tackling key challenges in making biology engineerable, unlocking the unrivalled power of biology for the benefit of humanity. The vision of the GBI is to lay the foundations for engineering biology and unlock its potential for good. To achieve this, we must overcome two key challenges: the ability to write in the natural language of biology and understanding what to write to generate biological systems that perform desired functions.

Your Role: At EIT, we are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Biological and Chemical Safety Officer (BCSO) to support the safe, compliant, and effective operation of GBI laboratories. The role is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring biological and chemical safety programmes in line with institutional policies and applicable regulatory requirements. The BCSO supports safe research, teaching, and operational activities involving biological agents, hazardous chemicals, and other regulated materials through risk assessment, training, audits, inspections, and incident response.

Key Responsibilities

• Biological Safety: Work with GBI research colleagues to develop, implement, and maintain biological safety procedures in compliance with relevant regulations and guidance. Support researchers in developing biological risk assessments for research protocols, laboratory activities, and operational processes. Act as an expert resource for biological safety practices, including pathogen handling and biohazardous waste management.
• Chemical Safety: Develop and provide oversight of GBI chemical safety programmes, including chemical hygiene practices and hazardous material management. Review and advise on chemical risk assessments, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety data sheets (SDS).
• Health & Safety Compliance: Develop, implement, and maintain GBI health and safety policies in line with UK legislation and industry best practice. Act as the GBI lead for internal and external audits and inspections.
• Training & Education: Develop training materials, guidance documents, and SOP templates in alignment with GBI research needs. Coordinate and deliver biological and chemical safety training for GBI researchers, staff, students, and contractors.
• Incident Management & Emergency Response: Participate in emergency responses to biological and chemical incidents. Provide technical support and leadership during spills, exposures, or containment breaches.
• Continuous Improvement & Collaboration: Monitor safety performance and identify trends or areas for improvement. Recommend enhancements to safety programmes, procedures, and controls.

Requirements

• Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience: Required Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental health, occupational safety, or a related field. Demonstrated experience in biological and/or chemical safety, laboratory safety, or EHS.
• Preferred Master's degree in a relevant scientific or safety discipline. Professional certifications (e.g., CBSP, RBP, CSP, CIH, or equivalent).

Benefits

• Travel allowance + Bonus
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).