Biosafety Consultant
Job description
About the role
This role delivers biosafety consulting to research, clinical, and manufacturing clients. The work combines inspections, risk analysis, training, and stakeholder engagement.
Most organizations organize this kind of work into small teams with a clear owner for each project. People are expected to set priorities, share progress, and ask for help early. Written communication matters because decisions are often recorded and revisited. Successful professionals in any field share a few habits: they take notes, keep commitments, and communicate in writing. Teams value people who make their work easy to review and build on.
Key facts
Location: USA
Engagement: Consulting
Compensation: $70000 to $90000
Team: EHS Biosafety Manager
Degree: Bachelor's in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field
Must be eligible to work in the United States without future sponsorship
Must have reliable transportation
What you'll do
Risk assessments guide decisions that reduce exposure potential.
Investigations produce actionable corrections to prevent recurrence.
Recommendations are framed to match practical bench workflows.
Training supports consistent practice across sites.
Documentation provides auditable evidence of compliance.
Documents are maintained to reflect current practices and regulations.
Scoping clarifies objectives and constraints for the client.
Discovery aligns stakeholder views with on-site evidence.
Deliverables are tailored for laboratory leadership and EHS directors.
Presentations highlight implementation implications and decision points.
Change orders formalize adjustments to budget and deliverables.
Financial metrics justify proposed changes.
Outcomes demonstrate operational benefits.
Field signals inform proactive service development.
Knowledge products scale delivery quality.
Requirements
One to five years of progressive professional experience in biosafety or a closely related field, including research compliance, research or diagnostic laboratory operations, or EHS with biological scope.
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related field such as Occupational Health and Safety, Chemistry, or Engineering.
Professional knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to CDC and NIH biosafety guidelines as they apply to infectious agents, recombinant DNA, and bloodborne pathogens.
Demonstrated ability to apply core biosafety concepts, including criteria for establishing appropriate biosafety containment levels across diverse research and laboratory applications.
Demonstrated knowledge of recombinant DNA technology, viral vectors, and biological hazards.
Experience participating in or managing Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs).
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the political acumen to communicate effectively within a diverse and multidisciplinary environment, plus excellent customer service skills.
Strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to remain calm and effective in stressful situations.
Demonstrated ability to write for a client audience: reports, assessments, and recommendations a non-specialist decision maker can act on.
Comfort in a client-facing, billable environment, including competing priorities across multiple sites and accounts.
Must be eligible to work in the United States without future sponsorship.
Must have a reliable form of transportation.
Nice to have
Experience working in a BSL-2 and or ABSL-2 laboratory environment.
Completion of ABSA or other professional development coursework (e.g., ABSA Principles and Practices).
Active membership in a national professional safety organization, preferably ABSA International, including participation in local chapters.
Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) or Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP), or documented progress toward one. A general safety credential such as ASP is also valued.
Experience supporting cell and gene therapy, viral vector, or GMP manufacturing operations, where biosafety and quality requirements intersect.
Experience administering or coordinating an IBC, including protocol review workflow and committee reporting.
Experience building a business case or cost model for an EHS program change, covering savings, cost avoidance, or a staffing comparison.
Prior experience in a consulting, contract, or multi-client environment.
Practical notes
Reliable transportation is required. Good to know
Work focuses on compliance, cost of ownership, and enabling safe research start dates. The role involves significant client interaction, independent delivery, and mentoring.