"Research Safety Associate"

Job Summary

Cornell University is widely admired as one of the world’s most respected research and teaching institutions. The Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) provides comprehensive programs and services to support healthy, safe, and environmentally responsible practices for our world class faculty, staff, students and university community. EHS assists the campus community with compliance and promotes health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

With oversight from the Chemical Hygiene Officer, the Research Safety Associate is responsible for chemical health and safety programs in research areas. The primary function of the position is to provide effective and efficient delivery of EHS services to research, teaching, and clinical laboratory areas for risk reduction. They will develop, and implement procedures and programs that promote a safe, responsible, healthful and compliant work environment for research, teaching and clinical areas.

The position will have responsibilities to carry out programs, procedures, and policies that assure compliance for research areas in the areas of:

• EHS laboratory audits, inspections, self-assessments and risk analysis/assessment
• Research Safety Section training programs
• Provide support to the Chemical Inventory Management program
• Support Principal Investigators and lab groups as a primary point of contact and subject matter expertise for questions related to laboratory and chemical safety
• Support the development and presentation of Department Safety Representative Programs
• Support Shower Eyewash Testing Program
• Provide subject matter knowledge on chemical safety and review laboratory protocols so safety is incorporated in written protocols.
• Provide Injury and illness reduction through education Support Department Safety Representatives, faculty, staff, and students in research areas

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

This is an endowed position.

We are a value-based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, sciences, safety, industrial hygiene, environmental or closely related field.
• Up to two years of environmental, health and safety experience or one to three years of laboratory experience, with a knowledge of laboratory safety regulations and practices or equivalent combination.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects
• Willingness to learn and stay current in various disciplines within the fields of research safety
• Demonstrated use of Microsoft Suite products, at a minimum, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Proven track record of completing work on time and within budget.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, and the ability to successfully interact with university staff, students, and faculty.
• Requires use of good judgment in sensitive situations with employees at all levels within the University.
• Must possess and maintain a valid NYS Driver’s License. Out-of-state employees must obtain and show proof of a NYS license within 30 days of starting employment.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical for the use of respiratory protection equipment and for hazardous materials emergency responder work and the ability to wear an SCBA.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• One to three years of experience with all three fields of chemical, biological and radiation safety issues in a research environment.
• Strong knowledge and experience in laboratory and research operations, and employee safety and health programs.
• Familiarity with applicable federal and state regulations as they apply to the research environment.
• Knowledge and experience in hazardous materials response.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Rewards & Benefits

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), 2 floating holidays, and superior retirement contributions.

Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. For more information click here.

Application Procedure

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications on-line at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs under staff positions section.

When applying through our system, please remember to attach resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the Experience section of your application, use the “Drop Files Here” box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online please click here.

Additional Details

Posted: 27-Mar-26

Location: Ithaca, New York

Categories: Staff/Administrative

University Job Title: Laboratory Safety Associate

Job Family: Facilities & Safety Services

Level: E

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Pay Range: $65,447.00 - $75,962.00

Remote Option Availability: Onsite

Company: Endowed