US Biosafety & Occupational Health Manager

Become a member of the BioNTech Family!

Based in Cambridge, MA and Gaithersburg, MD. We are committed to improving the health of people worldwide with our fundamental research and our work in the area of development of immunotherapies utilizing the full potential of the immune system to fight cancer, infectious diseases and other serious diseases. We believe in scientific rigor, innovation and passion as driving forces. BioNTech was founded by scientists and physicians to translate science into survival by combining fundamental research and operational excellence.

With decades of deep immunology expertise and experience in developing and optimizing mRNA as part of its broad suite of novel technologies, the company is working with the global community to defeat life-threatening and serious diseases such as cancer, COVID-19, malaria and tuberculosis. The first ever approved mRNA vaccine was created in the labs of BioNTech in Mainz, Germany. A fully integrated immunotherapy powerhouse. We remain focused on bringing our broad pipeline of next-generation immunotherapies and vaccines to people around the world to address cancer, infectious diseases, as well as a growing list of other medical conditions. To accomplish this, we continue to be deeply rooted in science and academic research while also having built a fully integrated, global immunotherapy company with cGMP and GMP manufacturing facilities anchored around deep expertise in immunology and complemented by an expanding set of capabilities.
 

US Biosafety & Occupational Health Manager

Primary Responsibilities

• This role will report to the Associate Director of Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) in the management of the corporate occupational health program for BioNTech’s facilities in the US.  Strategically plan, develop, and manage the execution of initiatives and programs related to occupational health; serve as US region representative to corporate and global stakeholders.  Establish and implement strategic goals and objectives for occupational health, industrial hygiene, and biological safety programs.  Monitor and analyze federal/state regulations related to research safety. 
• Program Management.  Develop, plan, and implement policies and procedures covering all aspects of occupational safety and health to prevent injury, occupational illness, and damage to property and ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.  Serve as a technical expert to advise management and staff on occupational safety and health programs and regulations and their application to their activities.  Participate in engineering reviews to address industrial hygiene and employee exposure control.
• Biosafety.  Serve as Biosafety Officer and recognized expert in the field of biological safety, implementing a comprehensive biological safety program, providing consultation and advice to internal stakeholders, leading Institutional Biosafety Committee, and implementing programs to control and mitigate risk of biological hazards.  Review research protocols, perform risk assessments and evaluate risk mitigation methods; conduct inspections, audits, and investigations as required; will prepare correspondence, reports, safety protocols, and other documents as needed; will develop and conduct training as needed.  Develop new policies or standard operating procedures to control and mitigate the risk of biological hazards.  Consult with research staff and others regarding mitigation of biological hazards, methods for maintaining compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, regulations pertaining to select agents and toxins, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories guidelines, and biohazard waste disposal.  Perform preliminary review of all IBC protocols and addenda involving the use of recombinant DNA and other biohazardous materials. 
• Occupational Health.  Managing medical surveillance requirements, respiratory protection program, immunizations, and screening tests provided by external clinics.  Support HR team in injury case management and support return to work (RTW) procedures.  Manage Exposure Control Program and coordinate with clinics on post-exposure prophylaxis.  Coordinates and supports all environmental/occupational sampling and monitoring, including equipment inventory and industrial hygiene records management.
• Emergency Response.  Facilitate emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery activities related to accidents and incidents involving biohazardous materials. Coordinate development and delivery of biological safety-related classroom and online training courses.  Support development and review of emergency and crisis management program operational plans, related policies and procedures.  Provide leadership, training, and hands-on support relating to emergency preparedness and crisis management.  Coordinate the site-level emergency response teams, including updates to curriculum, training, materials, and external trainer support.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in life sciences, industrial hygiene, biological sciences, or a related discipline
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in biosafety, industrial hygiene, and/or other general health and safety disciplines, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position
• Knowledge and skill working with infectious agents, cell culture, and recombinant DNA techniques
• Working knowledge of biological safety standards such as the Blood Borne Pathogen Standard, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, and the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills with ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and strong technical presentation ability.  Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with OHS management systems, including ISO certification program (ISO 45001).

Benefits for you:
 

BioNTech US is committed to employee wellbeing and offers best-in-class benefits & HR programs to support an inclusive & diverse workforce. Salaried/Position-Targeted Hourly Employees working 30+ hours per week are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Life, AD&D, Critical Illness Insurance

• Pre-tax HSA & FSA, DCRA Spending Accounts

• Employee Assistance & Concierge Program (EAP) available 24/7

• Parental and Childbirth Leave & Family Planning Assistance

• Sitterstream: Virtual Tutoring & Childcare Membership

• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Bereavement, Holidays (including Floating) & Year-End U.S. Shutdown.

• 401(K) Plan with Company Match

• Tuition Reimbursement & Student Loan Assistance Programs

• Wellbeing Incentive Platforms & Incentives

• Professional Development Programs

• Commuting Allowance and subsidized parking

• Discounted Home, Auto & Pet Insurance

…and more! More details to be shared.

BioNTech is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. BioNTech does not tolerate discrimination against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access BioNTech’s online application tools due to a disability, you can request reasonable accommodations by calling 1-857-228-6231or by e-mailing jobs@biontech.de. Thank you for your interest in BioNTech.