Biosafety Officer for Clinical Research

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Town Of Cambridge; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Australia is seeking a skilled Biosafety Officer to oversee clinical research safety. This role involves developing biosafety strategies, ensuring compliance in containment facilities, and providing expert guidance on biological hazards. The ideal candidate will hold a degree in a relevant scientific subject and possess extensive virology and microbiology knowledge. Join us to play a pivotal role in advancing patient safety and innovation in clinical research.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Comprehensive health insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Substantial experience related to biosafety duties.
• Current GCP training.
• Teaching qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert biosafety advice for clinical research.
• Oversee operations of containment facilities.
• Develop a biological safety management system.

Skills

Leadership skills

Project management

Excellent written/oral communication

Virology knowledge

Microbiology knowledge

Education

Degree in relevant scientific subject

Registered Biosafety Practitioner or equivalent

PhD in health-related sciences

Job description

Go back Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Biosafety Officer for Clinical Research

The closing date is 23 November 2025

Are you ready to shape the future of advanced therapies in the UK?

CUH is seeking a dynamic Biological Safety Officer for Clinical Research to drive innovation and excellence in biosafety across a thriving portfolio of over 1,000 clinical research studies--including cutting‑edge Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and GMOs.

You’ll be at the heart of the Cambridge Clinical Research Centre (CCRC) and play a national role through the Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre (ATTC) network. This is your chance to lead, influence, and collaborate across disciplines.

We’re looking for a subject matter expert in virology/microbiology or related sciences with a passion for safe, innovative science. If you thrive in complex environments and want to make a real impact on patient care and research, we want to hear from you.

Join us. Lead the way in biosafety. Transform the future of experimental research.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert biosafety advice for clinical research at CUH, with a focus on ATMPs and GMOs.
• Oversee and advise on operations of CL1, CL2, and CL3 containment facilities locally and nationally.
• Accelerate clinical trial setup by improving biosafety risk assessments in line with national 150‑day targets.
• Develop and implement a robust biological safety management system.
• Lead audits, inspections, and investigations of biosafety incidents; assign and support risk mitigation actions.
• Liaise with regulators (e.g., HSE) and lead on GMO submissions and compliance.
• Collaborate with national partners (via the ATTC) to standardise GMO risk assessments and share best practices.
• Deliver training and guidance on biosafety to staff across all levels and departments.
• Participate in key governance groups, including the Biological & GMO Committee, ATMPs Committee, and Scientific Advisory Board.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high‑quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide expert biosafety advice for clinical research, with a focus on ATMPs and GMOs.
• Drive the development and implementation of a national standardised GMO risk assessment in collaboration with the ATTC and UKCRF Network.
• Lead the creation of a comprehensive biological safety programme aligned with national regulations and strategic goals.
• Contribute to national efforts to accelerate clinical trial setup (150‑day target) through improved biosafety risk assessment.
• Promote best practices, innovative pathways, and shared care models across research sites.

Clinical & Operational Management

• Oversee biosafety operations in CL1-CL3 facilities; lead audits, inspections, and incident investigations.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and lead submissions to the HSE for GMO use.
• Manage a team to deliver high‑quality biosafety services, ensuring resource allocation and performance targets are met.
• Support benefit‑risk assessments, patient/public involvement, and safety communications.
• Serve as the principal advisor on biosafety infrastructure, emergency response, and containment procedures.
• Represent CUH and CCRC on internal and national committees (e.g., GMO/ATMPs Committees, Scientific Advisory Board).

Education & Training

• Lead biosafety training programmes for staff and students at CUH and across the ATTC network.
• Support the development of national biosafety roles and responsibilities guidance.
• Present at conferences and contribute to outreach and educational initiatives.
• Review research proposals involving biohazards and provide expert guidance on safe practices.

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed. This vacancy will close at midnight on 23 November 2025.

Interviews are due to be held on 17 December 2025.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose‑created colleague‑only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant scientific subject such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology or related field.
• Registered by ISTR as Biosafety Practitioner or accredited equivalent qualification or working toward.
• Substantial experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Current GCP training.
• Research module / certificate.
• Teaching qualification.
• PhD in health‑related sciences.

Experience

• Expert virology and microbiology knowledge gained throughout academia and industry.
• Experience working in a similar role at a practical and advisory level within a clinical trials or laboratory setting.
• In‑depth understanding of the regulatory requirements of containment levels 1, 2 and 3 laboratories.
• Working knowledge of performing risk management processes including risk assessments for biological agents/advanced therapies.
• Experience of overseeing standards, quality and safety across laboratories, from policy development through to implementation and monitoring.
• Proven working knowledge and experience of laboratory quality and compliance.
• Writing standard operating procedures.
• Previous experience of working in a research environment.

Knowledge

• Evidence of leadership qualities/skills.
• Evidence of on‑going professional development.
• Effective resource management.
• Evidence of risk assessment training.
• Evidence of managing major change successfully and positively.
• Awareness of Trust / National strategies / Initiatives in R&D and Health Care.
• Working knowledge of Research Governance, ICH GCP, Declaration of Helsinki & R&D in the NHS.

Skills

• Management training.
• Ability to undertake audit.
• Teaching and presentation skills.
• Team motivation skills and effective team worker.
• Proven skill in people management in mobilising and motivating multi‑disciplinary teams to learn, develop and deliver to high standards.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills.
• Able to keep accurate/detailed records.
• Able to plan, implement and evaluate care for patients having novel therapeutic interventions.
• Project management.

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and always behave, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

Cambridge Clinical Research Centre, Keith Day Road