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, policy makers, and entrepreneurs 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 programs 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 programs for employees on biosafety, waste management, PPE, 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 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 level 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
Our 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.
