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PME Space, Facilities & Building Management

About the Department

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME\'s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago\'s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary

The Laboratory Safety Specialist (LSS) for the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is responsible for managing and providing technical guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis of the PME laboratory safety program to ensure a safe environment in which to facilitate research and the pursuit of academic excellence. Laboratory safety includes the delivery of safety services to all facilities involved in research for both laboratories and lab support areas.

In fulfilling these responsibilities, the LSS will liaise with the Office of Research Safety (ORS) on issues related to chemical, biological, radiological, and laser safety, and work closely with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) on life safety and environmental issues. Reporting to the Director of Facilities, the LSS provides input into divisional and University-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures as a key member of the research safety community in addition to providing input on the allocation of roles and responsibilities for research safety between the ORS and the divisional Laboratory Safety Specialists. The LSS works with the Director of Facilities and PME leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives to foster a culture of safety at all levels and all areas in PME.

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary point of contact for PME principal investigators (PI) and research teams and acts as a liaison for these PIs to ORS and EHS on research safety issues. Provides lead support to the PME in concert with the Physical Sciences Division (PSD) and ORS.

Stays abreast of any changes within the lab and builds a strong partnership with PIs and their research teams. Collaborates with PIs and/or their delegates on a regular basis as a partner to address research safety needs, meeting as often as necessary to discuss research work performed, safety risks, training and safety material needs, and other measures to mitigate risk.

Collaborates with PIs and department staff to assess the needs and procurement of safety equipment and supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, hazardous materials) for assigned research teams and laboratory research operations.

Collaborates with PIs and/or their delegates to assess safety risks and develop appropriate safety controls for research experiments or procedures with significant safety risks with support from the ORS. Partners with the ORS and EHS to identify training offerings and/or assist the PI in determining training elements that the PI will need to provide via team-specific training.

Conducts routine tours and demonstrates a regular presence in the laboratories, building a strong partnership wit PIs and their research teams. Provides research safety knowledge and support to departments, PIs, and respective research teams with support from the ORS.

Collaborates with PME administration and Facilities teams to establish and assess needs for capital projects and new lab construction/renovation.

With a moderate level of guidance, interprets University environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs. Ensures legal compliance and develops procedures. Collaborating with PME and ORS, generates reports to provide detailed and actionable analysis of trends as needed.

In partnership with ORS representatives, and in collaboration with departmental personnel, conducts inspections of all research laboratories and lab support areas as determined by risk level for unsafe conditions and work practices. Recommends corrective actions and performs follow-up verification of deficiency correction status. Monitors implementation of controls and corrective actions.

Reviews and researches appropriate hazard control and mitigation strategies, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment; and supports faculty and research support staff in the implementation of these control strategies.

In collaboration with ORS, conducts orientation training sessi