Laboratory Safety Specialist

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research is Novartis' global research organization and is committed to discovering innovative medicines that cure disease and improve human health. By conducting more relevant and predictable drug discovery that can yield new and better medicines for patients, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research is redefining drug discovery in the post-genomic era. Over the past four years, Novartis Pharmaceuticals has had the greatest number of new molecular entities approved by the US FDA. With its broad focus on diseases for which there is a need for better medical therapies, and with over 3,000 talented, dedicated research scientists worldwide, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research is well-positioned to ensure Novartis maintains its strong pipeline and highly successful track record in new drug discovery. Novartis Institutes has sites in Cambridge, Massachusetts (headquarters); Basel, Switzerland; Horsham, UK; East Hanover, NJ; Vienna, Austria; Tsukuba, Japan and Emeryville, California. Novartis Institutes' Cambridge facilities encompass 950,000 square feet of laboratory and office space. Research in cardiovascular disease, oncology, infectious disease, diabetes, ophthalmology and muscle disease is headquartered in Cambridge. In addition, Cambridge is home to the following platform technologies: Global Discovery Chemistry, Functional Genomics, Developmental & Molecular Pathways, and Models of Disease Center. In order to attract and develop an exceptionally talented and committed staff, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research offers an innovative and comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, insurance, savings, retirement, and work/life benefits. Assist the Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Business Continuity (HSE) in the implementation of the NIBR-Cambridge Health and Safety Program. This position is responsible for assisting in the development, implementation and evaluation of health, safety, and environment practices for all departments and their personnel in compliance with all legal requirements, and Novartis policy and guidelines. Provide program assistance and training to enhance the awareness of on-site personnel.Key Responsibilities: Serve as Radiation Safety Officer, Controlled Substances Officer and Assistant Biosafety Officer Provide support to HSE Industrial Hygienist and Environmental Manager in project specific activities by conducting health and safety evaluations of the work environment and the assessment of work operations, chemical, radioactive and biological hazards and processes. Development and or use of validated analytical methods to determine the magnitude of workplace exposures Serve as technical resources to all personnel in developing workplace assessment strategies and producing guidance documents for Laboratory Safety. Responsible for development and maintenance of applicable Lotus Notes databases for monitoring NIBRIs health and safety compliance and recordkeeping efforts. Assist in maintaining established systems to ensure compliance with health, safety, and environment compliance requirements (OSHA, Cambridge Health Department, NIH, State of Massachusetts, CDC, NFPA, EPA, etc ) and best practices relevant to all research activity and operations at the facility. Assist in developing and maintaining appropriate standards and practices conforming with Novartis policies and guidelines for all research and facility operations. Assist in generation of guidelines, SOPs, and safety notes. Assist in developing of training programs to promote the awareness of radiation, chemical, and biological safety practices for all facility personnel. Perform other duties as may be required or assigned.QualificationsMinimum: B.S. degree in health physics, radiological sciences, fire safety, life safety sciences, or related field plus 3-5 years of relevant laboratory and/or safety experience. Strong technical knowledge in radiation safety, chemical safety or biosafety, permitting, and emergency response is a plus. Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and computer knowledge required.High level of effectiveness in a changing, fast-paced environment. Ability to work independently, take initiative, and make improvements in the department. Customer focus.Preferred: Experience in research environment. Laboratory safety compliance, systems strategy implementation. Management systems and team approach to identification and resolution of issues. Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research is an equal opportunity employer committed to embracing and leveraging diverse backgrounds. M/F/D/V Job ID: 38459BR