Biological Safety Officer AssociateUniversity of Kentucky
Job Summary
University of Kentucky
Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.
Posting Details
Posting Specific Questions
Applicant Documents
Required Documents

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
University of Kentucky
Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.
Posting Details
Posting Details
| Job Title | Biological Safety Officer Associate |
|---|---|
| Requisition Number | RE52358 |
| Working Title | Associate BSO |
| Department Name | 3DE50:Radiation Safety |
| Work Location | Lexington, KY |
| Grade Level | 47 |
| Salary Range | $57,158-94,286/year |
| Type of Position | Staff |
| Position Time Status | Full-Time |
| Required Education | MA |
| Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies |
| Required Related Experience | 3 yrs |
| Required License/Registration/Certification | Certification eligible: Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) or Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP). |
| Physical Requirements | Regular sitting at computer workstation for extended periods; and intermittent hazardous chemicals and fumes including waste and bloodborne/airborne pathogens. |
| Shift | Monday-Friday: 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Emergencies or maintenance activities may require call/text or onsite response after hours as needed. |
| Job Summary | The Biological Safety Officer (BSO) Associate will work closely with the Biological Safety Officer to support and maintain the University of Kentucky’s Biosafety Program for High Containment research. This role involves developing and enforcing biosafety, biosecurity, and incident response plans, ensuring compliance with relevant protocols and regulations, and providing technical expertise and leadership in high containment procedures. The BSO Associate will also act as the Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) as needed and assume the role of Responsible Official (RO) in their absence. This position is critical in ensuring the safety and compliance of high containment research facilities and complex research involving biohazardous materials at the University of Kentucky, thereby contributing to the advancement of safe and secure research practices. |
| Skills / Knowledge / Abilities | Must have the ability to plan, design, and implement biosafety practices and procedures and laboratory/research safety compliance management plans and procedures. Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication (oral and written) skills. Ability to pass FBI background check and obtain CDC/USDA clearance, as required based on current research program at UK. |
| Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | No |
| Preferred Education/Experience | MS/PhD preferred Emphasis in microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, biosafety, or infectious disease Experience working in high containment in a research or compliance role Certified Biosafety Professional (ABSA CBSP) or Registered Biosafety Professional (ABSA RBP) eligible https://absa.org/credentials/ Drivers’ License preferred |
| Deadline to Apply | 02/16/2026 |
| Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen. |
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Please select the option that best represents your number of full years paid, full-time, employment experience in biological safety; institutional biosafety community support; regulatory compliance; training; report writing; and/or research. * If you have part-time work experience that you want to include, please refer to the following to determine your credit of full years of related employment experience:35+ hours worked per week = full credit for time worked28-34 hours worked per week = 75% credit for time worked18-27 hours worked per week = 50% credit for time worked9-17 hours worked per week = 25% credit for time worked< 9 hours worked per week = no credit given for time worked
- None
- Some, but less than one full year of employment listed above.
- At least 1 full year but less than 2 years of employment listed above.
- At least 2 full years but less than 3 years of employment listed above.
- At least 3 full years but less than 4 years of employment listed above.
- At least 4 full years but less than 5 years of employment listed above.
- At least 5 full years but less than 6 years of employment listed above.
- At least 6 full years but less than 7 years of employment listed above.
- At least 7 full years but less than 8 years of employment listed above.
- At least 8 full years but less than 9 years of employment listed above.
- At least 9 full years but less than 10 years of employment listed above.
- At least 10 full years but less than 11 years of employment listed above.
- At least 11 full years but less than 12 years of employment listed above.
- At least 12 full years or more of employment listed above.
- * Please describe your high containment laboratory experience. Include a description of your role in high containment laboratory operations and the number of years of paid full-time experience you have in this area.
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
PI282086679