Biological Safety Officer in Oxford

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we\’re 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
• Artificial Intelligence & Robotics

This is ambitious work – work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you\’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real‑world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society. Explore more at www.eit.org.

Your Role

EIT is seeking a qualified and experienced Biological Safety Officer (BSO) to lead and manage the biosafety programmes within EIT. The BSO will play a critical role in ensuring safe, ethical, and compliant handling of all biological agents and materials in accordance with national and international regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the organisation\’s biosafety policies and procedures across all departments.
• Oversee biosafety compliance in research and operational activities involving:
  • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
  • Human biological materials (tissues, cells, blood, etc.)
  • Plant pathogens and transgenic plants
• Serve as the primary contact and advisor on biosafety matters for all staff and researchers.
• Conduct biosafety risk assessments and approve protocols.
• Develop and deliver training programmes for employees on biosafety, waste management, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures.
• Investigate and report incidents, exposures, or near‑misses involving biological agents.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records of biosafety practices, audits, and training.
• Oversee biological waste disposal, decontamination procedures, and laboratory inspections.

Requirements

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Strong experience in Microbiology, Biology, Plants, Environmental Health, Public Health, or a related field.
• Experience within a scientific or laboratory environment.
• 5+ years of experience in biosafety, preferably in a research or biotechnology environment involving multi‑species or interdisciplinary biological work.
• Certification as Biological Safety Professional.
• In‑depth knowledge of biosafety regulations and standards.
• Strong understanding of containment levels 1–3, autoclaving, disinfection, and biosecurity principles.
• Excellent communication, training, and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Ability to multitask, manage complex tasks, and keep detailed records and reports across different sites.
• Flexibility to work in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment and manage a variety of tasks across sites.
• Collaborative and works well with cross‑functional teams, including site managers, senior leadership, and external contractors.

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000 – £60,000 per annum (depending on experience) + travel allowance + bonus.
• Enhanced holiday pay.
• Pension.
• Life Assurance.
• Income Protection.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Hospital Cash Plan.
• Therapy Services.
• Perk Box.
• Electric Car Scheme.

Working Together – What It Involves

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.
• We can consider candidates both full‑time and part‑time, fully onsite and hybrid for this particular position.