Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Committee Coordinator

University of Colorado | CU Anschutz Medical Campus

Office of Research Committee Support (ORCS)

IBC Committee Coordinator

Position #724274 – Requisition #27094

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers  *

The University of Colorado has a requirement for COVID-19 vaccinations and full completion thereof by 9/1/21 or upon start date.  Information regarding this requirement, and exemptions can be found at: https://www.cu.edu/vaccine-requirement

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning and working environment. We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical and research facility serving 4,500 students, and a world-class medical destination at the forefront of life-changing science, medicine, and healthcare. CU Anschutz offers more than 42 highly rated degree programs through 6 schools and colleges and receives over $500 million in research awards each year. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado, awarding nearly 1,450 degrees annually. Powered by our award-winning faculty, renowned researchers and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care. Read CU Anschutz Quick Facts here .

Office of Research Committee Support (ORCS) has an opening for a full-time University Staff (unclassified) IBC Committee Coordinator position.

The CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus Office of Regulatory Compliance through the auspices of the Office of Research Committee Support (ORCS) exercises regulatory compliance and compliance oversight for research conducted at CU Denver campuses and off-site laboratories. This responsibility includes management of research protocol review for the Committees governing the use of animals and biological, chemical or radioactive materials.  In this capacity, ORCS provides the administrative support for the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), to assure regulatory compliance and safety oversight for research activities and materials in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local regulations which govern the use of recombinant DNA materials in research.

The IBC Coordinator oversees the office administration of and work flow for the IBC to ensure that the committee conducts their reviews of submitted protocol applications and provide ongoing monitoring, in accordance with all regulatory requirements, University policies and procedures and any other applicable standards. This position has the possibility of remote work.

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is an institutional committee, federally mandated under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving recombinant DNA Molecules , to review and oversee all research involving recombinant DNA materials, in research laboratories, in tissue culture, animals and/or plants and in human subjects clinical trials.

The IBC is also mandated, on behalf of the University, to review and oversee all research involving infectious agents and Select Agents materials. The IBC exists to review all proposed research applications (protocols, projects) with recombinant DNA, infectious agents and/or Select Agents, prior to initiation, at the University and its affiliated institutions and/or research conducted by faculty or staff members of the University, even if it is performed at other locations. The IBC research review is performed in accordance with mandated federal regulations.

Job Summary:

The Committee Coordinator will not directly supervise any staff.  The incumbent works closely with the Director, ORCS (Office of Research Committee Support), as well as the Biosafety Officer and staff to ensure that there is an effective work flow across the Department, with subject matter experts, with the Committee members and with the Office of Regulatory Compliance and other senior administration offices. The Coordinator also works closely with IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) and COMIRB (Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board) offices to correctly coordinate review and approval of research protocols involving recombinant DNA used in animal or human research (Human Gene Transfer clinical trials).  The Coordinator will also provide guidance and information to Principal Investigators and researchers pertaining to the administrative processes for approval.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Responsible for ensuring that the Committee’s policies and procedures are consistently applied to all applications (projects, protocols) submitted for review to the Office of Research Committee Support and the IBC. 
• Will work closely with all EHS and Office of Regulatory Compliance staff.
• Will work closely with IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) and COMIRB (Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board) offices to correctly coordinate review and approval of research protocols involving recombinant DNA used in animal or human research (Human Gene Transfer clinical trials).
• Fields questions from researchers conducting research involving recombinant DNA pertaining to appropriate forms and processes for approval.
• The individual manages all administrative aspects of the receipt of incoming applications (protocols, projects) and related documents (amendments, addenda, supporting documents) received by the Biosafety Program. 
• Checks the Biosafety Program email account daily for incoming application forms and supporting documentation and responses to requests for information from Principal Investigators.
• Saves all applications and supporting documents as electronic files for internal pre-review by the Biosafety Office.
• Enters all pertinent data upon receipt of applications, amendments and any other supporting documents in the Biosafety Program MS Access database and the EHS-Assistant database, as necessary.
• Works with the Biosafety Officer to conduct pre-review of all applications submitted and prioritizes protocols for review at meetings and creates the agenda with the pertinent information.
• Plans, coordinates, and staffs committee meetings.  Works with the Biosafety Office, IBC Chair(s) and committee members to develop meeting schedules, arrange meeting rooms and necessary audiovisual or computer support for meetings; prepares the meeting agenda and oversees protocol packet preparation and distribution to Committee members and assures a quorum is available to convene the meeting and conduct committee business.
• Acts as the recorder for minutes (in addition to using electronic recording equipment) at Committee meetings to ensure that the minutes accurately reflect the meeting content.  Must be able to understand and transcribe upper level technical, medical and legal language, and research concepts. 
• Transcribes handwritten notes, email reviews/comments from Committee members and the electronic recordings to prepare draft meeting minutes for review by the committee.  Corrects or amends draft documents to ensure that the minutes accurately reflect the meeting content and ensures that minutes comply with federal standards.
• Enter results of deliberations, and voting on applications, at convened meetings into the appropriate databases.
• Serve as an important resource to faculty and research staff who have committee process-related questions to be addressed. S/he works on with the IBC on the drafting, development and publication of committee policies and administrative procedures as well as assisting in the development of the committee website.
• Performs internal office audits to ensure the proper maintenance and accuracy of protocol files and data entry according to federal regulatory requirements and Committee administration SOPs or guidelines to ensure the timeliness, correctness and compliance of reviews conducted by the respective committees.
• Cross train to provide high level coverage for the IACUC and Radiation Safety Committees when those coordinators are not available.
• Other job duties as assigned.

This description is a summary only and is describing the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need.

Salary and Benefits :

The salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established at $54,960.

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Diversity and Equity :

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Research, Science, Health Sciences or a directly related field from an accredited institution
• 1 year experience managing research studies

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving recombinant DNA Molecules.
• Experience working with AWA/PHS (OLAW) regulations regarding animal subject research.
• Experience working with FDA/OHRP regulations regarding human subject research.
• 1 year experience working in an academic setting.

Competencies:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Working knowledge of NIH Guidelines for Research Involving recombinant DNA Molecules.
• Knowledge of higher educational and/or the research environment.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to plan, organize and meet deadlines, work under pressure, and organize multiple projects or tasks.
• Comprehensive personal computing skills and ability to manage information in complex relational databases.
• Ability to effectively support the Committee, Chair(s), investigators, and contribute to working groups, staff meetings, and other committees as assigned.
• Required ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, strong interpersonal and human relation skills, and an ability to effectively prepare and coordinate meetings.