Main Purpose of the Job

The post holder will provide authoritative advice on biological safety on site, including genetically modified materials work under The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 and Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002, Plant Health Licence work under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Hazard Group 2 and 3 pathogens work under the Health and Safety Executive’s remit, human tissue work under the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and work with Animal By Products.

The post holder will monitor compliance, and address biosafety related impact related to laboratories and operational activities. The post holder will interpret external specialist advise including information from regulatory bodies and makes suitable recommendations to the Institutes to effectively implement advice. The role will also provide regular support to the Biological Safety Officers in TSL and QIB.

The post holder will lead on the planning and delivery of health and safety inspections and audits (including biological safety) working collaboratively with the HSEQ Business Systems Coordinator. They will also be expected to assess complex and higher-risk work activities and draft and reviewing guidance, policies, risk assessments etc.

The post holder will be expected to plan, conduct and report on internal Quality Management System (ISO9001:2015) for QIB and EI; assessing if the system continues to meet its objectives and identify improvements if appropriate. Plan, conduct and report on Quality Management activities to compliance with the Joint Code of Practice for Research at JIC, TSL and QIB. Support could be provided by the HSEQ to provide training / support to achieve quality management qualification.

The post holder will provide authoritative advice on general health and safety compliance in laboratories and support areas. The post holder will also develop and review Health and Safety and Biological Safety guidance and polices, review, and authorises procedures and risk assessments and prepares and delivers mandatory and bespoke training.

The successful candidate must be self-motivated, enjoy working in a team and be a role model. They will promote and encourage a healthy and safe working environment, in line with legislation and best practice. This role requires both formal and informal leadership and influencing skills and training support may be provided to develop the quality management side of the role.

Key Relationships

The position will report to the Head of HSEQ. The post holder will work closely with the other HSEQ members, NBIP functions including Facilities, EI, JIC, TSL and QIB lab managers, NGI team where required to contribute to the delivery of an outstanding H&S support on site.
The post holder is also expected to interact with regulatory bodies such as Health and Safety Executive Inspectors and Quality Assurance Assessors / auditors for surveillance and re-certification activities, DEFRA.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Provide authoritative guidance on biological safety and general Health and Safety compliance in laboratories and support areas. Provide advice on new and emerging technologies and legislation e.g. The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014, Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002 etc. communicating updates, advice and new guidance to Institutes Lab managers and Partnership.

30

Work with the HSEQ H&S Advisor / Biological Safety Officer to monitor compliance and address biological safety impact related to laboratories and operational activities. Provide regular support to TSL and QIB Biological Safety Officers.

20

Manage the planning and ensure smooth delivery of HSEQ inspections and audits on site. Plan, conduct and report on Quality Management activities to ensure ISO9001:2015 compliance for QIB and EI, and compliance with the Joint Code of Practice for Research at JIC, TSL and QIB. Ensure the Quality Management system documentation is reviewed regularly and up to date.

10

Review and update Health and Safety Management Systems documentation. Provide general health and safety support to the Institutes and Partnership by preparing, reviewing and updating health and safety documentation; providing advice and guidance on health and safety and biological safety matters and respond to emergency incidents when required.

10

Perform complex and specialist risk assessments such as COSHH, new and expectant mothers, DSE and provide ergonomic advice for office and lab workstations.

5

Deliver general health and safety and biological safety training course.

5

Support HSEQ Health and Safety Advisor/ Chemical Safety Officer with regards to Hazardous waste management on site and HSEQ team when required.

5

Work closely with the Energy and Sustainability manager in Facilities team with regards to regulatory permissions (EA) and consents (Anglian Water); negotiation of hazardous waste contracts; waste exemption applications and reporting environmental data.

5

Support HSEQ Health and Safety Advisor/ Chemical Safety Officer with regards to Hazardous waste management on site and HSEQ team when required.

5

Provide support to the Head of HSEQ in relation to the New Generation Infrastructure (NGI) project when required.

5

Investigate accident, incident and near miss and use initiative and effective decision making to determine actions. Provide in a timely manner a high-quality report to the head of HSEQ.

5

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

BSc, MSc or PhD in Biology subject

Essential

NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent

Desirable

Membership of a professional body e.g. Institute of Occupational Safety & Health

Desirable

Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent

Desirable

Quality Assurance qualification from an accredited body or equivalent experience

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge and understanding of H&S and Biological safety legislation and regulations

Essential

Previous laboratory work experience ideally with genetically modified organisms

Essential

Understanding of quality management systems (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001) and interpreting ISO standards

Essential

Understands quality management inspections and audits

Essential

Experience of using databases and/or spreadsheets, data analysis and ability to use data to produce meaningful reports

Essential

Ability to work independently and make independent decisions

Essential

Ability to research new work, gather information and make recommendations

Essential

Ability to prepare policies and codes of practice

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in working in health and safety for scientific research

Essential

Knowledge and/or experience of working at Biosafety Containment Level 2 and 3

Essential

Experience of providing pragmatic, solutions orientated advice on legislation, regulations, policy and procedures to a wide audience

Essential

Excellent report writing and presentation skills, including the ability to effectively engage varied audiences and to provide structured progress updates

Essential

Experience of writing risk assessments, method statements and work instructions

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Ability to analyse and clearly present both quantitative and qualitative data

Essential

Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to negotiate, effectively influence outcomes to build and maintain strong working relationships at all levels

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organisation

Essential

Ability to work independently or pro-actively

Essential

Enthusiastic and pro-active approach to task completion and problem solving

Essential

A willingness to learn, adapt, and take on additional tasks when needed

Essential

Capable of prioritising tasks and managing workload effectively

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Partnership

Essential

Able to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally including maintaining information secured where relevant

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Promote continuous improvement in HSE practices and performance through regular review and updating of policies and procedures

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

HS & QA

Group Details

The Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) team provides support to the John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory and the Quadram Institute. HSEQ also provides support to the NBI Partnership, comprised of several support departments: Computing & Information Services, Research Computing, Facilities, HSEQ, Finance and Purchasing, Human Resources, Library and Information Services and Research Grants and Contracts.

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Biological Safety Advisor and Quality Manager

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Biological Safety Advisor to join their busy Health and Safety, Environment and Quality team.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes support a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The role:

This role will provide expert advice on biological safety and compliance across regulated activities (e.g. genetically modified organisms, pathogens, human tissue, and animal by-products), ensuring legal and regulatory requirements are met.

Responsibilities will include monitoring safety in labs and operations, interpreting regulatory advice, and leading biological safety audits and health & safety inspections. They will be expected to plan, conduct and report on internal Quality Management Systems relevant to the different institutes. The post holder will draft policies, risk assessments, and training, support Biological Safety Officers, and promote a safe working culture. Strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills are essential, with training support provided for quality management expertise.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will have a BSc, MSc or PhD in Biology subject. You will have experience of working in research institutes or universities providing biological advice and has a NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent or is in the process of undertaking one. The post holder will also provide authoritative advice on general health and safety compliance in laboratories and support areas.

The candidate should have ability to prepare and review risk assessments, method statements and standard operating procedures. The candidate will have good knowledge and experience of working safely with hazardous materials in laboratory environments and experience in conducting workplace inspections and checks.

This role requires both formal and informal leadership and influencing skills and training support may be provided to develop the quality management side of the role.

The successful candidate must be self-motivated with the ability to work well in a team by promoting and encouraging a healthy and safe working environment in line with legislation and best practice

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £44,500 to £49,300 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

Previous applicants need not apply. The closing date for applications will be 16 July 2025.