Biocontainment Operations in the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Boston University involves critical safety worked in a sophisticated environment. For those that are interested in learning and applying these skills please consider this opportunity.

The Senior Specialist, Biocontainment is responsible for conducting and supervising decontaminations, tests, verification and certification of critical biocontainment systems for the high and maximum containment laboratory facilities at the NEIDL. Working under the direction of the Assistant Director, Biocontainment, the position supervises and performs a variety of field tests, certification, and validations of Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) and HEPA filtration systems in air handlers including exhaust and supply systems, effluent vent systems, and other maximum and high laboratory containment systems and equipment with HEPA filter units; oversee, supervise and conduct decontamination of contaminated systems and run validations using biological and other applicable indicators to ensure that the decontamination processes are successfully completed; as directed - coordinates with facilities, science, animal groups and others to conduct and successfully accomplish decontamination of laboratory and animal suites and assist in the annual recertification of laboratory containment.

The Opportunity

• Join a fast paced work environment providing service across Biosafety Levels 2, 3 and 4

• Be part of a diverse EHS team with over 100 years of combined experience across all EHS disciplines.

• Collaboratively work with other departments within the NEIDL.

• Have the benefits of working within a large university, which includes generous medical, dental, retirement, and tuition remission benefits. See link to tuition remission information. https://www.bu.edu/hr/learningbu/tuition-remission/

Job Responsibilities

• Supervise and conduct systematic decontamination, validation and certification of biosafety cabinets and containment systems with HEPA units including air handler exhaust and supply units, effluent vents housing units, and other systems equipped with HEPA filters.
• Decontamination of laboratory, animal suites and equipment.
• Assists in the annual recertification of laboratory containment while performing self-audits in preparation for external audits. Documents decontamination and related biocontainment services consistent with applicable SOPs. Reviews and responds to resulting audit reports ensuring accuracy.
• Respond to emergencies, participate in BU EHS Emergency Response Team trainings, assist in extraction of personnel in the containment laboratories, assist in conducting follow up investigations of accidents and incidents.

Required Skills

• B.A./B.S. in a related field (Environmental management, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry)
• 5 years of related experience
• Excellent communicator
• Proven ability to work with a wide range of staff levels
• Successful completion of a pre-placement physical.

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases – whether they occur naturally or are introduced deliberately through bioterrorism. The NEIDL is dedicated to the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In addition to Bio Safety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, the NEIDL houses BSL-4 laboratories that will operate at the highest level of containment. The NEIDL will add to the growing life sciences industry in the region, throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and across the country.

Individuals seeking affiliation with or employment within the NEIDL may be subject to the following suitability requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in ineligibility for employment or affiliation:

Criminal Background Check: To be completed in accordance with BU Public Safety guidelines and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Basic Background Check: Includes, but is not limited to, verification of:

• Social Security Number;
• Academic credentials;
• Past employment;
• Licenses and credentials;
• Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check;
• RMV/DMV driving record, if required.

Medical Clearance Process: includes Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) evaluation, drug screening, initial psychological screening, and immunization/titer level review completed in accordance with NEIDL Medical Surveillance Policy for all employees working at the NEIDL.

Training and Education: to be completed in accordance with Section 8, Ongoing Personnel Reliability Program, for all employees working at the NEIDL.

Individuals seeking or required to have approval to work with Select Agents will be subject to the following additional requirements:

Department of Justice Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting: To be completed in accordance with CDC requirements as part of application to have access to Select Agents.

Select Agent Use Approval: to be completed in accordance with all regulations including the requirements of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Please note, any individual working in the NEIDL facility and granted unescorted access, is subject to

• periodic background reviews, including but not limited to: criminal background, drug screening, and behavioral evaluations;
• periodic checks and regular renewals of security credentials, any applicable licenses, and verification of the successful completion of any required training at the facility
• Search of person, clothing and effects prior to entry into or egress from NEIDL

When applicable, individuals will be required to maintain all applicable clearances and licenses and to disclose any changes in circumstances that could compromise access to the facility.

Continued employment/ affiliation is contingent upon strict adherence, at all times, to all applicable safety and security rules, procedures, and protocols, as well as required training regimens.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption ( instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience

• B.A./B.S. in a related field (Environmental management, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry)
• 5 years of related experience
• Excellent communicator
• Proven ability to work with a wide range of staff levels
• Successful completion of a pre-placement physical.

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases – whether they occur naturally or are introduced deliberately through bioterrorism. The NEIDL is dedicated to the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In addition to Bio Safety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, the NEIDL houses BSL-4 laboratories that will operate at the highest level of containment. The NEIDL will add to the growing life sciences industry in the region, throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and across the country.

Individuals seeking affiliation with or employment within the NEIDL may be subject to the following suitability requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in ineligibility for employment or affiliation:

Criminal Background Check: To be completed in accordance with BU Public Safety guidelines and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Basic Background Check: Includes, but is not limited to, verification of:

• Social Security Number;
• Academic credentials;
• Past employment;
• Licenses and credentials;
• Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check;
• RMV/DMV driving record, if required.

Medical Clearance Process: includes Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) evaluation, drug screening, initial psychological screening, and immunization/titer level review completed in accordance with NEIDL Medical Surveillance Policy for all employees working at the NEIDL.

Training and Education: to be completed in accordance with Section 8, Ongoing Personnel Reliability Program, for all employees working at the NEIDL.

Individuals seeking or required to have approval to work with Select Agents will be subject to the following additional requirements:

Department of Justice Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting: To be completed in accordance with CDC requirements as part of application to have access to Select Agents.

Select Agent Use Approval: to be completed in accordance with all regulations including the requirements of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Please note, any individual working in the NEIDL facility and granted unescorted access, is subject to

• periodic background reviews, including but not limited to: criminal background, drug screening, and behavioral evaluations;
• periodic checks and regular renewals of security credentials, any applicable licenses, and verification of the successful completion of any required training at the facility
• Search of person, clothing and effects prior to entry into or egress from NEIDL

When applicable, individuals will be required to maintain all applicable clearances and licenses and to disclose any changes in circumstances that could compromise access to the facility.

Continued employment/ affiliation is contingent upon strict adherence, at all times, to all applicable safety and security rules, procedures, and protocols, as well as required training regimens.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption ( instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.