Shared Resource Lab Manager

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 69,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University’s Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) seeks a High-Containment Facility Manager to oversee day-to-day operations and safety compliance in a BSL-3 environment across the RTP and campus settings.

The role emphasizes training researchers, supervising staff, SOP development, budgeting, and collaboration with PIs and safety offices to support infectious disease research initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, virology, or related field; 5–7 years of related experience.
• Clear oral and written communication; ability to use information systems and lab equipment.
• Work with hazardous biological agents at BSL-2 and BSL-3
• Work with small animals at ABSL-2 and ABSL-3
• Vaccination compliance when necessary
• Complete and maintain US DOJ Select Agent screening
• Achieve external certification for independent work at BSL-3

Responsibilities

• Maintain efficient day-to-day operations of the high containment laboratory facility, including training new users, compliance monitoring, coordinating research activities, resource scheduling and billing.
• Train and instruct research staff and facility maintenance staff for BSL-3 operations; direct day-to-day activities with PIs and researchers.
• Supervise the DHVI Laboratory Safety Officer and manage BSL-3 facility access.
• Source and maintain inventory of safety supplies and lab equipment; ensure SOP compliance and meet user needs.
• Coordinate safety checks, waste removal, decontamination and maintenance with Duke offices/departments.
• Participate in Facility Operations and Core support team meetings; support cost model development and budgeting.
• Join the Duke Select Agent Team; train personnel for Select Agent compliance and drills.
• Coordinate material transfers with Duke offices to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support maintenance and testing of containment equipment and annual BSL-3 re-verification.
• Assist with emergency response procedures for the BSL-3 facility; after-hours response as needed.
• Develop and implement SOPs; lead assay development and validation as requested.
• Complete Health Review for BSL-3 work and comply with vaccination/health surveillance requirements.
• Prepare use reports, IBC registrations, CDC compliance documents, and grant reports.
• Manage hazardous waste handling at RTP; provide shipping training aiding hazardous materials shipping.

Skills

Communication skills

Biosafety knowledge

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field

Job description

High-Containment Facility Manager

Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) – Duke Human Vaccine Institute

Position Overview

The Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) is a multidisciplinary research organization within the Duke University School of Medicine dedicated to advancing basic, translational, and clinical research aimed at developing innovative vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tools for infectious diseases that affect global health. The Duke Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL), a division of DHVI, provides secure Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory facilities and support services for infectious disease research conducted on both Duke’s main research campus and its Research Triangle Park (RTP) campus.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, virology, or related scientific field. 5 to 7 years of related experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form. Ability to work with information systems, automated and technical equipment, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience
• Work with hazardous biological agents handled at BSL-2 and BSL-3
• Work with small animals handled at ABSL-2 and ABSL-3
• Comply with vaccination requirements when necessary
• Successfully complete and maintain US Department of Justice screening for Select Agent registration
• Achieve external certification for independent work at BSL-3

Strong background in biosafety, previous BSL-3 compliance monitoring, supply chain and logistics management, and facilities management

Preferred Qualifications

• Biological safety credential (RBP, CBSP) preferred
• Proficient in technical writing and safety training development and delivery
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with researchers with diverse backgrounds and experiences

Position Description

• Maintain efficient day-to-day operations of the assigned high containment laboratory facility including, but not limited to, training new users, compliance monitoring, coordinating research activities of multiple laboratories, resource scheduling and billing
• Train and instruct research staff that will be utilizing the RBL facility. This could include various Duke research laboratories needing to work within a BSL3 facility for safety. Direct day-to-day activities of staff, as well as the project management goals of the facility. Utilize effective project and resource management needed for successful operation and service. Interact with various PIs and research leaders.
• Train and instruct facility maintenance staff to support the BSL-3 facility. This could include staff needing to enter to fix leaks or address alarms within the facility.
• Directly supervise the DHVI Laboratory Safety Officer
• Manage BSL-3 facility access
• Source and maintain an inventory of required safety supplies and laboratory equipment to ensure full compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and meet end user research needs
• Ensure required safety checks and waste removal is fully compliant with relevant SOPs. Coordinate laboratory and equipment decontamination and maintenance with relevant Duke offices/departments (e.g. Engineering and Operations)
• Participate in meetings of the Facility Operations and Core support teams.
• Participate in cost model development, use projections and budgeting for compliant cost recovery
• Participate as a member of the Duke Select Agent Team, along with the RBL Director and the RBL Operations Director. Participate in training personnel who conduct Select Agent research to assure compliance with the Select Agent Final Rule, and with all written Select Agent Plans (Incident Response, Safety, and Security). Participate in Select Agent drills and tabletop exercises
• Coordinate incoming/outgoing material transfers with the facility leadership, the Duke Biological Safety Officer/Responsible Official and the Duke Office of Export Controls to ensure full compliance with all local, state and federal regulations
• Help coordinate proper maintenance and testing of critical containment equipment, and document annual BSL3 re-verification efforts
• Help coordinate proper emergency response procedures for the BSL-3 facility; may include responding onsite after hours
• Work to improve/optimize existing SOPs Develop and implement new SOPs; Lead development, optimization, qualification and validation efforts for assays and procedures, as requested by the research sponsor / Facility Director
• Successfully complete the High Containment Special Pathogens Health Review and be cleared by Duke’s Employee Occupational Health and Wellness for work at BSL-3. Must comply with any vaccination and health surveillance requirements for BSL-3 lab entry.
• Prepare use reports, Institutional Biosafety Committee registrations, CDC compliance documents, and grant reports, as needed
• Manage biological and chemical hazardous waste at RTP
• Provide Hazardous Materials Shipping Training and hazardous materials shipping assistance
• Perform other duties as requested by the DHVI Director of Safety

Choose Duke.

Join our award-winning team and be part of an inclusive culture that values excellence, innovation, and discovery. Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting-edge research across disciplines. Beyond the engaging work, you’ll also benefit from Duke’s competitive benefits package, including health insurance plans, generous paid time off, retirement programs with employer contributions, tuition assistance for employees and their children, and more.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $68,883.00 to USD $127,925.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/<

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas- an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).