Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance & Biosecurity Research Institute Biosafety Officer

About This Role

The Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance and BRI Biosafety Officer & University Select Agent Program Responsible Official (BRI BSO/RO) position is responsible for managing the Kansas State University Biosecurity Research Institute (KSU BRI) Biosafety Program and the KSU Select Agent Program, to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and KSU policies.

The BRI BSO/RO reports to the University Office of Research, Integrity, Compliance and Security (ORICS), with primary responsibilities at the BRI, and participates as part of the BRI management team. The BRI BSO/RO coordinates with research personnel, the University Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and regulatory agencies to ensure that the BRI meets all regulatory requirements, minimizes environmental risks to livestock and crops, and protects human health.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing comprehensive safety programs and policies for the KSU BRI, a biosafety level 3 and biosafety level 3Ag biocontainment research facility, and serving as the Responsible Official for the University Select Agent Program, performing all applicable duties as required by Select Agent regulations. The BRI BSO/RO supervises 3 BRI Biosafety Specialists/Select Agent Program Alternate Responsible Officials (BRI BSS/AROs) who assist with developing and implementing these programs.

The BRI BSO/RO responsibilities entail developing and implementing biological safety, biosecurity, chemical safety, radiation safety, life safety and medical surveillance programs and policies for the BRI. This includes but is not limited to developing and coordinating programs involving laboratory safety surveys, chemical and biohazardous materials inventories, autoclave validation testing, bloodborne pathogen exposure control, decontamination and hazardous waste disposal, importation and interstate transport of regulated biological materials, medical surveillance, and developing and conducting health and safety training. This position also provides guidance and consultations to assess the risk of working with human, animal and plant pathogens.

The BRI BSO/RO also develops and implements a comprehensive select agent oversight program for all use of select agents at the University, as required by the select agent regulations (42 CFR Part 73, 9 CFR Part 121, 7 CFR Part331). This includes: annual training, annual inspection of select agent laboratories, development, implementation and annual exercise of select agent security, biosafety and emergency response plans, oversight and tracking of all select agent transfers and shipments, all required recordkeeping, documentation and reporting. The BRI BSO/RO has the authority to act on behalf of the University to ensure compliance with the select agent regulations.

The BRI BSO/RO serves as a biosafety and high containment expert on the University Institutional Biosafety Committee and the University Institutional Review Entity for oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential.

The BRI BSO/RO is the main point of contact with the KSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KVDL) responsible for coordinating KVDL use of BRI laboratories when needed for response to infectious disease outbreaks as a Tier 1 laboratory in the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network.

The BRI BSO/RO manages a small budget for the BRI Biosafety team.

About Us

Office of Research Integrity, Compliance and Security helps researchers meet regulations so they can do their research as safely and efficiently as possible

Worksite Option

This position is on-site. 

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree and 10 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in biological or chemical sciences.
• Five or more years relevant experience working in a biosafety program and dealing with relevant federal, state and local regulatory agencies (DHS, DHHS, DOD, OSHA, USDA).
• Five or more years experience specifically implementing select agent regulations (42 CFR Part 73, 9 CFR Part 121, 7 CFR Part 331) as an RO or ARO.
• Two or more years experience working in a biocontainment facility at biosafety level 3 or higher.
• Five or more years of research, teaching or diagnostic laboratory experience with emphasis in microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, public health or related field and a good understanding of scientific principles and practices.
• Experience working in an agricultural biocontainment facility at animal biosafety level 3Ag or higher.
• Experience with development and delivery of biological safety training programs.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects within the confines of time, budgets and available personnel.
• Superior organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively with office staff, researchers, facilities design and maintenance personnel, laboratory technical staff, external contractors, administrators, local, state and federal government regulators, etc.
• Skilled at facilitating conflict resolution and change management.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and stay current in the rapidly advancing fields of biosafety, biosecurity and biocontainment.

Other Requirements:

• Valid driver's license.
• Certification by ABSA International: CBSP (ABSA) or RBP (ABSA).
• Ability to undergo and maintain a favorable background investigation and Federal Select Agent Program security risk assessment.
• Ability to undergo and maintain a final US Government security clearance if required.
• Capable of wearing personal protective equipment such as respirators, Tyvek suits, rubber boots and disposable gloves while performing work.
• This job may occasionally require taking multiple showers per day.
• This job has potential for safety hazard exposures and infectious disease exposure. Protective vaccines will be offered as needed.
• This job is the main point of contact for after-hours biosafety emergencies and requires responding to the BRI outside of normal work hours.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain Hazardous Materials Shipping certification.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship