Health Safety & Biosafety (HSBS) Advisor

Salary: £40,000-£42,500

Hours: 37 hours per week

Employment Type: Maternity Cover

Contract Length: 6 months with potential to extend

Closing Date: 06 November 2025

Health Safety & Biosafety (HSBS) Advisor

The Pirbright Institute

The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats. This important research would not be possible without the proportionate use of animals, which are integral to the development of new disease control measures such as vaccines and diagnostics. We have an establishment-wide commitment to the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement), high standards of animal welfare, a culture of care and openness.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.
Organisation position and purpose

The successful candidate will report jointly to the Head of Biorisk and the Head of Health, Safety and Environment, and sit within the Health, Safety and Biosafety (HSBS) team; providing the Institute with expert professional support necessary to facilitate control and mitigation of the risks arising from its work; providing robust monitoring and assurance for stakeholders across these areas; and ensuring compliance with applicable health safety & environment law and related legislation including maintaining legal authority to operate as a Major Hazard Site and under its Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) 2008 licence.

HSBS Advisors at Pirbright are pivotal to the organisation and are expected to render excellent levels of service and exacting standards of work to support research, diagnostics and operations. The Institute employs advisors from different backgrounds, including those with strong science backgrounds, Health and Safety professionals or those with experience in Biorisk, providing a blended and diverse team of professional advisors to the Institute.


Due to the complexity of our site, we are happy to accept applications from candidates who may not meet all the requirements below. Full training will be given and support from a multidisciplinary team of safety experts will be available to help deliver a full training plan. When applying please specify how you meet the requirements, and how your experience will help you to carry out this role.


Main duties and responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge and understanding of the legal framework under which the Institute operates, and assist in the development of best practice in all applicable aspects of HSBS risk management and regulatory compliance.

• Provide proportionate, reliable, and authoritative advice on matters of health, safety, biosafety and environment to staff/students and stakeholders.

• Conduct desktop audits of documentation on the Institutes document management system and ensure relevant documentation is maintained and kept up to date.

• Monitor, facilitate and oversee the implementation of corrective and improvement actions identified by HSBS audits, inspections and investigations.

• Manage and undertake the investigation of incidents, including development of emergency preparedness, root cause analysis, identification of lessons learned, and collation, interpretation and presentation of metrics.

• Work closely with other HSBS Advisors and relevant Institute colleagues, to provide professional HSBS advice to site development programme and capital projects.

• Promote safety and sustainability within the Institute and develop excellent collaboration and coordination with colleagues in various departments.

• Working with the wider HSBS&E team, identify training needs, and develop and deliver effective training either face-to-face or via the in-house development of e-learning.

• Contribute to HSBS&E aspects of the site development programme and capital projects.


All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute’s Head of Quality. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health safety and security by compliance with relevant policies and all employees are responsible for the health safety and security of staff under their management.

 

Specific requirements

 Essential

  • Experience of, or demonstrable interest in, management of biorisk, health, safety and environment.
  • Track record of delivering high quality work, on time, to achieve business objectives.
  • Track record of building effective work relationships and a collegiate working ethos.

 Desirable

  • NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, or equivalent qualifications.
  • ISTR BioSafety Practitioner 1 (BSP1) qualification and/or experience of biosafety practice.
  • Research and/or technical laboratory experience.

 

Due to the nature of the work carried out by Pirbright, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

 

What we offer

  • Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
  • 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days
  • Buy and sell annual leave
  • Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave
  • Pirbright gym with subsidised membership
  • Pirbright social club
  • Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
  • Cycle to work
  • Subsidised staff restaurant
  • Childcare allowance
  • Free onsite parking
  • Electric Car charging facilities
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