Laboratory Safety Specialist

Provost Office of Research Safety

About the Department

The Office of Research Safety (ORS) provides a research safety framework, subject matter expertise, emergency response, and management of research safety support activities for the University to ensure that laboratory and field research are conducted safely and in accordance with federal and institutional guidelines. The ORS leads the development of university-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe research environment and to facilitate research compliance and is guided institutionally by the Research Safety Policy Council (RSPC). The ORS works closely with counterparts in the academic Divisions, the University Environmental Health and Safety Office, the Medical Center Environmental Health and Safety Office, Facilities Services, Physical Plant, Project Management, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Job Summary

The Laboratory Safety Specialist (LSS) is responsible for managing and providing technical guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis to ensure a safe environment in which to facilitate research and the pursuit of academic excellence. This position provides input into University-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures as a key member of the research safety community, in addition to providing input on the allocation of roles and responsibilities for research safety between the Office of Research Safety and the divisional Laboratory Safety Specialists. The Laboratory Safety Specialist will work with departments to develop and implement strategic initiatives to foster safety culture at all levels and in all areas of the laboratory safety program, working closely and in coordination with building managers and project managers across the University. This position reports to the Director of Operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of contact for assigned departments, Principal Investigators (PIs), and research teams on research safety issues and addressing research safety needs.
• Assist with all research safety support, collaborating with the Office of Research Safety, Animal Resource Center, and Environmental Health and Safety.
• Demonstrate a regular presence in laboratories, building strong partnerships with assigned PIs and their research teams.
• Work with research teams to develop systems and procedures for maintaining laboratory chemical inventories and monitor the status of records.
• Ensure compliance of laboratory safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, fume hood certifications).
• Help PIs develop Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols in conjunction with the Office of Research Safety and Animal Resource Center veterinarians.
• Conduct orientation training sessions with new PIs, ensuring they understand their research safety roles and responsibilities and how to acquire required support.
• Monitor adherence to training requirements in coordination with the Office of Research Safety and inform PIs about non-compliance.
• Work with PIs and departments to procure safety equipment and supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, hazardous materials) for assigned research teams.
• Conduct inspections of all research laboratories and lab support areas based on risk level; recommend corrective actions and perform follow-up verification of deficiency corrections.
• Schedule and partner with Office of Research Safety staff for laboratory safety inspections, ensuring adherence to government regulations and University standards, policies, and procedures.
• Review and research appropriate hazard control and mitigation strategies — including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment — and support faculty and research staff in the implementation of these strategies.
• Perform risk analysis on the University's environmental and occupational health and safety programs; implement alternatives or improvements as needed.
• Monitor compliance and provide data to the Office of Research Safety and Environmental Health and Safety in support of regulatory agency laboratory safety inspections.
• Serve on laboratory safety-related committees and participate in departmental and campus-wide work groups to facilitate laboratory injury prevention, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Participate as a member of the emergency response team; respond to hazardous material releases and serve in the appropriate response role based on training and expertise.
• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• With a moderate level of guidance, interprets University environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs. Ensures legal compliance and develops procedures. Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns.
• Plans and executes surveys, audits, and inspections of instruments, laboratories, and other facilities to ensure compliance with government and University policies and procedures. Analyzes data and initiatives immediate corrective action plans and follow-up to ensure implementation.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

Driver's License - Multiple States ---

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, or life sciences.

Experience

• Laboratory safety experience in chemical manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or a research laboratory setting.
• Experience in chemical hygiene and laboratory safety practices.
• Relevant certifications such as Hazardous Materials Technician (or higher classification), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), safety management certificate, or qualification in laboratory safety.
• Capable of obtaining medical clearances for use of respiratory protection necessary for HAZMAT response.
• Knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to maintain professionalism, credibility, and good service delivery practices when working with all contacts, internal and external.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization and across a wide range of roles, backgrounds, and institutional affiliations.
• Ability to communicate complex technical safety information clearly and accessibly to non-expert audiences, including researchers, students, and Principal Investigators.
• Ability to influence and advance safety culture at all levels of the organization without direct supervisory authority.
• Ability to manage sensitive emergency situations calmly and effectively, applying appropriate response protocols based on training and expertise.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in office, laboratory, and research-support environments.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, and movement between laboratories and campus locations.
• Work may involve exposure to chemicals, biological agents, radiation, elevated noise, and other laboratory hazards within established safety limits.
• Requires the use of appropriate PPE and may require respiratory protection based on assigned activities.
• Requires participation in emergency response activities, including response to hazardous material releases and occasional work outside normal business hours.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)

• The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
• When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary ​

FLSA Status

Exempt ​

Pay Range

$75,000.00 - $90,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.