Biosafety Functional Area Manager

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for an Biosafety Functional Area Manager to provide strategic and technical leadership for LLNL’s institutional biosafety program. In this role, you will manage the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive biosafety program supporting biological research, laboratory animal research, and related institutional review activities.

You will work closely with Environment, Safety and Health leadership, principal investigators, research teams, institutional committees, and the Department of Energy to ensure that biological research is conducted safely, securely, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and Laboratory requirements.

This position is in the Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Protection Department within the Environment, Safety and Health Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. The ability to work from home one or more days per week may be available after a probationary period.

You will

• Manage and continuously improve LLNL’s institutional biosafety program, policies, procedures, and program documentation.
• Provide expert technical guidance on biosafety, biosecurity, biological research risks, containment concepts, and laboratory operations.
• Develop program strategies, priorities, performance objectives, and resource requirements aligned with Laboratory mission needs.
• Lead risk assessments for new and ongoing biological research activities and support development of Biological Use Authorizations.
• Oversee biosafety reviews involving biological agents and materials, including activities conducted at BSL-1 through BSL-3 and ABSL-1 through ABSL-3 containment levels.
• Ensure compliance with applicable requirements and industry standards, including Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, NIH Guidelines, OSHA standards, DOE requirements, and other applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Serve as the Institutional Biosafety Officer and participate as a voting member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee, Biological Review Committee, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Institutional Review Entity. 
• Serve as an institutional technical liaison with DOE, the DOE Livermore Field Office, USDA, and other regulatory or oversight organizations.
• Oversee biosafety audits, inspections, assessments, investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement activities.
• Develop and maintain emergency response procedures for incidents involving biological agents and materials.
• Oversee institutional biosafety training, including curriculum development, regulatory updates, delivery, and compliance tracking.
• Establish and maintain data-driven performance measures, leading indicators, and program health metrics.
• Compile, analyze, and communicate biosafety program information for leadership, oversight bodies, committees, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide biosafety input into the planning, renovation, and design of biological research facilities.
• Build collaborative relationships with principal investigators, researchers, line managers, staff, committees, and external stakeholders.
• Benchmark biosafety practices with other DOE laboratories and research institutions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop biosafety professionals and other program personnel, as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Masters degree in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, virology, immunology, or a related life sciences field, or an equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience.
• Extensive experience managing or leading institutional biosafety programs in a research laboratory, biotechnology, government, or comparable environment.
• Expert knowledge of biosafety principles, laboratory operations, pathogenic microbiological techniques, biological containment, and biological hazard controls.
• Expert knowledge of applicable biosafety regulations, standards, and guidelines, including BMBL, NIH Guidelines, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens requirements, and relevant DOE requirements.
• Substantial experience with biosafety or voting membership in relevant biogovernance committees such as IBC, IRE, IACUC, or equivalent committees.
• Demonstrated experience conducting or overseeing biological research risk assessments, laboratory inspections, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action programs.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, training programs, performance measures, reports, and other institutional program documents.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret highly complex or ambiguous regulatory requirements and apply them across diverse research and operational environments.
• Experience managing resources, projects, priorities, budgets, or personnel within a complex organization.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, collaboration, negotiation, presentation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, situational awareness, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, gain consensus, and influence personnel at all levels while maintaining high standards of safety and compliance.

Qualifications We Desire

• Current certification or registration through the American Biological Safety Association, such as Certified Biological Safety Professional or Registered Biosafety Professional.
• Experience working at the BSL-3 or ABSL-3 containment level.
• Knowledge of CDC and USDA import, export, transport, and permit requirements.
• Experience with biological security, biosecurity, or biological risk management.
• Experience with DOE directives, orders, laboratory operating contracts, or other federal research requirements.
• Experience supporting the design, commissioning, or renovation of biological research facilities.
• Experience developing data-driven program metrics and communicating program performance to senior leadership.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, recruiting, or developing biosafety professionals.
• Experience leading biosafety programs in a national laboratory or other highly regulated research environment.

 Pay Range: $240,960- $305,544 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

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