Job Responsibilities

• Develops, maintains and disseminates information on the Research Biosafety Programs and serves as a focal point of contact for biosafety procedures and containment.
• Coordinates with labs on the maintenance, repair, testing and decontamination of critical containment equipment.
• Maintains inventory of consumable safety supplies (PPE, decontaminating chemicals, etc.) and undertakes purchasing to ensure compliance and meet end user research needs.
• Provides biosafety and bloodborne pathogens exposure control training and/or refresher to all WCM-Q faculty, staff and students who may be exposed in research.
• Conducts risk assessment to determine the appropriate biosafety level and personal protective equipment requirement for handling and disposing of biohazardous materials.
• Provides technical information and support to PIs and research team members in developing plans for preventing and handling accidental spills and personnel contamination.
• Reviews protocols/grants/reports to ensure effective risk management practices and applicable ethical approvals are in place prior to research conduct.
• Conducts periodic inspections of the research laboratories to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and reports the findings to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Participates in emergency response procedures for the research facility, including biohazardous material emergencies as required.
• Administers the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and interfaces with various stakeholders and other committees (e.g., IACUC, IRB) on issues and procedures related to biosafety and research compliance.
• Maintains documentation for annual BSL re-verification and assists in the preparation of user reports, Institutional Biosafety Committee registration, assurance and amendments with Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
• Works with the Vivarium team to ensure animal facilities adhere to safety standards and are prepared for inspections and certification.
• Maintains database relating to biohazardous materials holdings around the college and receives, collates and disseminates incident reports to the appropriate stakeholders as required.
• Liaises and works collaboratively with FHSS and Qatar Foundation on the safe usage, shipment and disposal of biohazardous research material.
• Coordinates access for visitors, contractors and other stakeholders to research lab, vivarium etc. as needed for meetings.
• Builds effective partnerships with staff, faculty, and students throughout the college by sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required

Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) or related discipline with 5 - 6 years of experience in biosafety or environmental health, safety and security.

Previous experience in research, scientific or healthcare setup is preferred.

The achievement of one or more of the following professional certifications or equivalents is desirable:

• Registered or Certified Biological Safety Professional, ABSA International.
• Certified Hazardous Material Manager, Institute of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers.
• Certified Safety Professional, Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
• Certified Industrial Hygienist, American Board of Industrial Hygiene.
• Certified Health Physicist (CHP), American Board of Health Physics.
• Completing Basic Life Support (CPR/AED) and First Aid courses is desirable

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop and present safety training for large groups of faculty, staff, and students.
• Through knowledge of Qatar based EHS compliance and safety measures.
• Thorough knowledge of biosafety, chemical hygiene and radiation protection programs.
• Ability to conduct inspections diligently and seek ways for continual improvement.
• Excellent/Good problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Proficient in English and Arabic (preferred).
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office suite of products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.