Main Purpose of the Job

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Biological Safety Compliance Manager to join their busy HSEQ team. The HSEQ team supports the John Innes Centre (JIC), Earlham Institute (EI), Quadram Institute (QIB), The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), and the Partnership teams.

This role is ideal for scientists who would like to transition from research to site-wide operational responsibilities, enabling the application of scientific expertise to:
• Ensure biological safety compliance across JIC.
• Train personnel on safe laboratory practices.
• Provide authoritative advice on biological safety.

The post-holder will provide expert oversight of biological safety across JIC and NGI operations, ensure compliance with GMO and Plant Health Licence (PHL) regulations, support new and refurbished facility start-ups, and advise teams on safe research practices.

The role also includes:
• Developing and delivering biological safety training.
• Contributing to the creation of new compliance tools within the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) system.
• Investigating biological safety-related incidents.
• Providing authoritative guidance on:
a) Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) under the Contained Use Regulations 2014 and Deliberate Release Regulations 2002.
b) Plant Health Licence (PHL) work under Defra.

The successful candidate must be self-motivated, enjoy working in a team, and act as a role model. The post-holder will promote a healthy and safe working environment and encourage good biological safety practices in line with legislation and best practice. The role requires both formal and informal leadership and influencing skills, and training support can be provided to develop the biological safety and incident investigation aspects of the role if required.

Key Relationships

Reports to the Head of HSEQ.
Works closely with other HSEQ team members, NBIP functions including Facilities and JIC lab managers, the Field Station Manager, the NGI team, JIC Head of Business Development and team, and JIC Horticultural Services to deliver outstanding health and safety support on site.
Interacts with regulatory bodies, including Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Lead, in collaboration with the HSEQ Biological Safety Adviser, biological safety oversight, risk assessments, advice, and containment evaluations across JIC laboratories, field stations, and support areas.

15

Provide authoritative guidance on biological safety compliance, ensuring all JIC research and operational activities comply with legislation, licences, and best practice (GMOs, PHL). Advise on new technologies, risks, and regulatory updates.

15

Ensure JIC compliance with GMO, PHL, and other regulatory frameworks, monitoring standards, addressing non-compliance, and implementing corrective actions.

10

Plan, conduct, and report on biological safety inspections and audits, identifying gaps and implementing corrective measures.

10

Investigate biological safety-related accidents, incidents, and near misses, determining root causes, assessing risk impacts, and implementing corrective actions. Provide timely, high-quality reports to the Head of HSEQ.

10

Perform complex and specialist biological safety risk assessments for GM, GE, and PHL work in laboratories, greenhouses, and field station.

5

Deliver biological safety training to staff, sharing scientific knowledge and practical expertise.

5

Advise JIC Project Leaders, staff, and site teams on mitigation strategies, best practices, and operational safety measures.

5

Support new start-up companies and new/refurbished facilities, ensuring biological safety compliance.

5

Collaborate with JIC Horticultural Services, Field Experimentation Stations, and HSEQ advisers/officers to maintain consistent biological safety practices.

5

Engage with regulatory bodies (HSE, Defra), proactively providing information, updates, and evidence of compliance.

5

Champion a culture of biological safety across the site, promoting good practice and ensuring adherence to legislation, licence conditions, and internal policies.

5

Develop, standardise, and optimise JIC GMRA processes within the EHS system (Evotix), contributing to new compliance tools to enhance biological safety management.

5

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post, as agreed with the line manager.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

MSc or PhD in Biology subject

Essential

Membership of a professional body (e.g., IOSH)

Desirable

Biological Safety Practitioner (Level 1) or Biological Safety Professional (Level 2)

Desirable

NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge and understanding of biological safety legislation and regulations, including GMO and PHL requirements

Essential

Experience in laboratory work, ideally with genetically modified organisms

Essential

Ability to use databases and spreadsheets for data analysis and reporting

Essential

Ability to work independently, make informed decisions, and research new methods

Essential

Experience with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) management systems such as Evotix

Desirable

Experience in operational start-ups or facility commissioning

Desirable

Experience investigating incidents and implementing corrective actions

Desirable

Ability to prepare policies, codes of practice, and guidance documents

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Excellent report writing and presentation skills, engaging varied audiences and providing structured progress updates

Essential

Significant experience in scientific research

Essential

Experience providing pragmatic, solutions-oriented advice on legislation, regulations, policy, and procedures to diverse audiences

Essential

Knowledge and/or experience working at Biosafety Containment Level 2 or higher

Essential

Experience of writing risk assessments, method statements and work instructions

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Essential

Ability to analyse and present quantitative and qualitative data clearly

Essential

Ability to influence and negotiate effectively to build and maintain strong working relationships at all levels

Essential

Proactive, enthusiastic, and solutions focused

Essential

Willingness to learn, adapt, and take on additional responsibilities

Essential

Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively as part of a team

Essential

Ability to prioritise tasks and manage workload effectively

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity and inclusion

Essential

Willingness to embrace the values and behaviours of the Partnership

Essential

Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard hours when required

Essential

Commitment to continuous improvement in H&S and biological safety practices through regular review and updating of policies and procedures

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional national and international travel for collaborations or seminars (reasonable adjustments will be considered)

Essential

Full, clean UK driving licence (reasonable adjustments will be considered)

Essential

Commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) in biological safety and related disciplines

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

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 expert guidance, oversight, and support to ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality research and operational activities across the John Innes Centre (JIC), Earlham Institute (EI), The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), and the Quadram Institute (QIB). The team helps institutes manage biological, chemical, and physical risks, maintain regulatory compliance, deliver training, support incident investigations, and implement best-practice policies and procedures.

In addition, the HSEQ team supports the wider Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI) Partnership, including key functions such as Computing & Information Services, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, Library Services, and Research Grants and Contracts, ensuring that all support departments operate safely, efficiently, and in line with legal and ethical standards.

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Biological Safety Compliance Manager

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Biological Safety Compliance Manager to join their busy HSEQ team. The HSEQ team supports the John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute, Quadram Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory, and the Partnership teams.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are 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 is ideal for scientists who would like to transition from research to site-wide operational responsibilities, enabling the application of scientific expertise to:
• Ensure biological safety compliance across JIC
• Train personnel on safe laboratory practices
• Provide authoritative advice on biological safety

The post-holder will provide expert oversight of biological safety across the John Innes Centre and NGI operations, ensure compliance with GMO and Plant Health Licence (PHL) regulations, support new and refurbished facility start-ups, and advise teams on safe research practices.

In this role you will be:
• Developing and delivering biological safety training
• Contributing to the creation of new compliance tools within the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) system
• Investigating biological safety-related incidents
• Providing authoritative guidance on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) under the Contained Use Regulations 2014 and Deliberate Release Regulations 2002 and Plant Health Licence (PHL) work under Defra.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have an MSc or PhD in Biology subject and have good knowledge and understanding of biological safety legislation and regulations, including GMO and PHL requirements. Candidates should have experience in laboratory work and must be self-motivated, enjoy working in a team, and act as a role model.

The post-holder will promote a healthy and safe working environment and encourage good biological safety practices in line with legislation and best practice. The role requires both formal and informal leadership and influencing skills, and training support can be provided to develop the biological safety and incident investigation aspects of the role if required.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £45,450 to £56,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 36 months.

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.

The closing date for applications will be 15 December 2025.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.