Core Research Associate II - Shared Research Resources

The Core Research Associate II is responsible for the daily operations of the BSL-3 Biocontainment CoRE and serves as a resource to support and promote safe work practices and regulatory compliance. Under the direction of the BSL-3 Biocontainment CoRE Director, the successful candidate will develop, implement, and continually evaluate a facility maintenance program and ensure that research activities involving biological agents, including biological select agents, comply with institutional policies and city, state, and federal regulations.  

• Assists the BSL-3 Biocontainment CoRE Director in the overall management of the biocontainment facilities, including enhanced and conventional biocontainment facilities and arthropod biocontainment facility;
• Plans, directs, and oversees daily administrative and operational activities for the BSL-3 Biocontainment CoRE, a large multi-investigator operation with 20+ investigators; 
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the CoRE emergencies and alarms, including coordination of emergency responses with appropriate departments, first responders, and facility occupants; 
• Oversees and maintains the secure database for documentation of all CoRE users, which consists of documentation of facility maintenance program, training records, authorization for biocontainment research, PPD/vaccine status, keycard access, drills and exercises, and incident reports; 
• Coordinates the facility maintenance program, including identifying, investigating, and resolving facility problems and conflicts; oversees appropriate compliance, maintenance, and certification of technical equipment and facility infrastructure; oversees annual verification of the facilities; and oversees pest management issues; 
• Assists with the development and modification of CoRE standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures; 
• Ensures registration of all CoRE escorted visitors and provides escorted access to the CoRE facilities for visitors, support personnel, and contractors; 
• Assists with the development of the training program and provides initial and refresher training to CoRE users; 
• Participates in facility inspections with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Environmental Health & Safety (EnvH&S); 
• Participates in regulatory inspections by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; 
• Provides oversight for all animal care and use operations within the BSL-3 according to IACUC standards; 
• Reconciles BSL-3 Program expenditures, income, and budget; provides information to Biocontainment CoRE Director and Senior Director, Shared Research Resources and Core Administration to develop an annual operational budget; 
• Maintains a regular presence in the facility to monitor research activities and provide research-specific training; 
• Maintains the confidentiality of all personal and research information.

• Qualified candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in a science or related discipline (e.g., physical, biological or health sciences, occupational health and safety, environmental health, etc.).  
• Three or more years of experience in a biosafety, research, clinical, or related technical field; and
• Three or more years of experience with performing research in a BSL-3 laboratory.
• Demonstrated history of performing research in a BSL-3 laboratory;
• Demonstrated history of animal care/use experience;
• Demonstrated experience in lab safety preferred; 
• Ability to conduct work in high-containment environments, including with respiratory protection;
• Ability to pass a Security Risk Assessment (SRA) by the Department of Justice and obtain/maintain authorization from the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP); and

Minimum Certification Requirements

• Federal Emergency Management Agency Introduction to the Incident Command System, (ICS 100 course) and Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response (ICS 200 course) certification;
• Hazmat & Waste Ground Shipper Certification (DOT); and
• Registered Biosafety Professional certification (ABSA, International) 
  
   

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