Director of Research Safety

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you! 

Job Description

The Director of Research Safety is a senior strategic leader responsible for advancing the University's research enterprise through the development, oversight, and integration of comprehensive research safety programs. Serving as the primary liaison between Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and the Office of Research, this position aligns research safety infrastructure with institutional research priorities while fostering a culture that enables innovative, world-class research.

Reporting jointly in partnership with research and safety leadership, the Director provides strategic direction for laboratory safety programs, proactively identifies emerging risks associated with new research initiatives, and ensures the University is positioned to support growth in complex and high-consequence research. This role moves beyond traditional compliance oversight by integrating safety planning into institutional research strategy, forecasting future resource needs, and building collaborative partnerships with faculty, researchers, and executive leadership.

The Director supports the laboratory safety leadership team, provides executive level guidance on research safety matters, and champions a service-oriented approach that balances regulatory compliance with the advancement of scientific discovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal liaison between Environmental Health & Safety and the Office of Research to ensure research safety initiatives support the University's strategic research goals.
• Partner with the Vice President for Research and institutional leadership to align research safety capabilities with emerging research priorities, major grant opportunities, new faculty recruitment, and program expansion.
• Collaborate with research administration during the proposal development and pre-award process to evaluate laboratory infrastructure, space, equipment, and safety requirements for high-consequence or specialized research activities.
• Develop predictive staffing and resource models that anticipate future Environmental Health & Safety expertise needed to support institutional research growth.
• Provide executive leadership with strategic analyses regarding institutional risk posture, regulatory changes, emerging research hazards, and resource requirements.
• Recommend long-term investments in research safety infrastructure that enable future scientific initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership, mentorship, and professional development for the Laboratory Safety Team, including the Assistant Director of Laboratory Safety and Radiation Safety Officer/Laser Safety Officer.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture while ensuring balanced workloads and operational excellence across diverse research disciplines.
• Ensure designated program leaders have the resources, authority and support necessary to fulfill regulatory and institutional responsibilities for chemical hygiene, biosafety, radiation safety and laser safety programs. 
• Delegate day-to-day operational management to the Assistant Director of Laboratory Safety while maintaining oversight of program effectiveness, strategic priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate program performance through metrics, assessments, and continuous improvement strategies to strengthen institutional safety performance.
• Build collaborative relationships with principal investigators, research staff, faculty, and institutional leadership to develop practical, compliant solutions that support complex research activities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on research safety issues impacting institutional decision-making.
• Participate in or advise institutional oversight committees, including the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Radiation Safety Committee, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and other research compliance committees as assigned.
• Promote a proactive research safety culture by integrating safety considerations into research p