Interim Biological and Scientific Safety Advisor

Irwin & Colton; Brompton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking an Interim Biological and Scientific Safety Advisor for a 3-month contract at a prominent university in the UK. This role will provide essential safety support within a research-intensive environment, focusing on laboratory-based teaching and research. Ideal candidates should possess a degree in a scientific discipline, relevant safety experience, and strong communication skills. The position is full-time on-site and offers an engaging work environment with academic and technical staff.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a scientific or biological safety role within universities or research institutions.
• Strong practical knowledge of laboratory health and safety and research-based risk management.

Responsibilities

• Providing competent scientific and biological safety advice across laboratory and research environments.
• Supporting compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice and university policies.
• Reviewing and advising on risk assessments and safe systems of work.

Skills

Scientific safety advice

Health and safety legislation compliance

Communication skills

Risk assessment review

Education

Degree-level qualification in a scientific discipline

NEBOSH qualification

Job description

Interim Biological and Scientific Safety Advisor - Kent

Rate : £250 / day (PAYE)

Duration : 3 Month Contract

One of the UK's leading Universities are engaging with ourselves to recruit an Interim Scientific Safety Advisor. This role has arisen due to a period of transition within the team and will provide essential scientific and biological safety support within a research-intensive academic environment.

The position will be based full-time on site at one of the University's Campus' and will support laboratory-based teaching and research activities across the science faculty. The role will report into the central Health and Safety function and work closely with academic and technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Providing competent scientific and biological safety advice across laboratory and research environments
• Supporting compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice and university policies
• Reviewing and advising on risk assessments, safe systems of work and experimental protocols
• Working closely with academics and researchers to implement health and safety requirements in a pragmatic and proportionate manner
• Providing day‑to‑day safety advice and support to laboratories, workshops and research spaces
• Supporting incident investigations and the implementation of corrective actions where required

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a scientific or biological safety role within universities, research institutions, laboratories or similar environments
• A degree-level qualification in a scientific discipline (e.g. biology, biosciences, chemistry or related)
• NEBOSH qualification (Certificate minimum; Diploma desirable) or equivalent
• Strong practical knowledge of laboratory health and safety and research-based risk management
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to engage with and influence academic stakeholders
• A pragmatic approach, balancing compliance with the realities of a dynamic research environment

This role would suit an experienced Health & Safety or Scientific Safety professional with strong laboratory experience who is available at short notice and able to commit to a 12-week full-time on-site assignment. For further details, please contact Tom Hewat on or (phone number removed).