Scientific Safety Advisor

Role Title: Scientific Safety Advisor

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week); Open-ended

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Purpose of Role 

The Scientific Safety Advisor role holder will provide a substantial function to add to the skills base of the Health & Safety team and maintain the statutory requirement of this team in the provision of competent advisor services to the University as required in terms of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999. This role strengthens the implementation of the University’s health and safety management framework and supporting processes, in line with the University’s strategic objectives, to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, the University Health and Safety Policy, and current best practice, across the wide range of activities undertaken by the University. 

The Scientific Safety Advisor role acts as a critical liaison between Health & Safety and academic research and teaching. The role holder will specialise in hazard management and advise the University on health and safety matters related to biological, chemical and scientific activities. The role involves reviewing risk assessments, investigating incidents involving biological and/or chemical agents, developing laboratory specific health and safety training, and ensuring that facilities used for scientific activities are appropriate for their functions, and where applicable, hold the appropriate registration. 

The role supports the University in remain fully compliant with legislation while promoting ongoing academic teaching and research. The Scientific Safety Advisor role is a highly collaborative and visible position which helps the University meet its statutory obligations and reinforces the fostering of a positive health, safety, and wellbeing culture throughout the campuses. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Support the development and implementation of the University’s health & safety management system.
• Evaluate and monitor relevant work practices, by reviewing and advising on method statements, safe systems of work, risk assessments, and experimental protocols.
• Liaise with Enforcing Authorities and other regulatory bodies.
• Provide professional advice and guidance on scientific safety processes and procedures to colleagues which have institution wide impacts.
• Advising on the impact of scientific safety on strategic developments and plans.
• Resolving issues independently within scientific safety where they fall within set role objectives and suggesting the most appropriate course of action to ensure complex and conceptual issues and solutions are understood by the target audience.
• Ensure that the provision of scientific safety is delivered to the University, proactively changing the delivery according to requirements.
• Contribute to the development of University-wide standards within scientific safety.
• Establish relationships with key stakeholders to ensure role objectives are met, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Departments and outside bodies as required.
• Develop and deliver health and safety training within the scientific safety field.
• Instruct and guide other employees across the University with regards to scientific safety.
• Prepare audit reports, action plans & monitor the action plans arising from audit.
• Act as the Radiation Protection Advisor for the University and fulfil the post of Secretary for the Radiation Protection Working Group.
• Act as the University Laser Safety Officer and fulfil the post of Secretary for the Laser Safety Working Group.
• Deputise for the position of biological safety adviser when required.
• Attend relevant Schools and Directorates Health & Safety Committees when required.
• Leading on root-cause accident/incident investigations involving biological, chemical or other hazardous agents and report findings and recommendations and maintain records.
• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Support in the development and delivery of initiatives which foster and strengthen the scientific safety culture within the University.
• Regular review of appropriate Health & Safety Procedures to this role.
• Monitor and keep abreast of developments in legislation, best practice.
• Develop and support compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice and university procedures to ensure this information is effectively communicated to all staff, students and visitors.
• Support the management and implementation of the Health and Safety Policy, plans and procedures.
• Monitor aspects of practice and performance within the University scientific safety operations, including conducting regular safety audits and inspections to ensure compliance with legislation and internal procedures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Home Office legislation, including preparation of annual returns with respect to licences held by the University.
• Contribute to University and campus contingency planning.
• Participate in incident management as required.
• Providing pragmatic support and day-to-day safety advice to laboratories, workshops and research spaces by acting as the point of contact for scientific safety queries.
• Conducting routine inspections, monitoring safety behaviours, and reporting trends for internal and external stakeholders in relation to scientific safety.
• Support the administration of statutory reporting (e.g. RIDDOR) and liaise with Enforcing Authorities and other regulatory bodies as directed.
• Support the development and maintenance of Health and Safety SharePoint pages and ensure information is current and accessible.
• Supporting the University’s statutory obligations and encouraging a positive health and safety culture.
• Active membership in the University’s Emergency Response Team.
• All other duties consistent with the requirements of the role.

This position will be based full-time at the Edinburgh campus and may require occasional travel to other campuses.

Training and development opportunities will be provided to support progression within the role.

The post holder will be expected to uphold the University's values and contribute to a positive and inclusive working environment.

Person Specification 

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

1. NEBOSH General Certificate.

2. Tech IOSH or equivalent. 

3. Experience in a scientific or biological safety role within universities, research institutions, laboratories or similar environments 

4. Demonstrable working knowledge of health & safety legislation and accepted best practice. 

5. Experience of delivering innovative solutions to problems.

6. Experience of compiling and reviewing risk assessments specific to CoSHH Regulations. 

7. Understanding of the application of e-learning programmes and modern electronic management systems.

8. Strong organisational skills. 

9. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

10. Ability to manage confidential data. 

11. Demonstratable sound communication skills and ability to influence at all levels

12. Strong practical knowledge of laboratory health and safety and risk management

13. Proactive and collaborative approach to all health and safety matters.

14. Familiarity with health and safety legislation

Desirable

1. Biosafety Practitioner Level 1, or working towards

2. A degree-level qualification in a scientific discipline (e.g. biology, biosciences, chemistry or related).

3. Graduate/Professional qualification/NVQ 6 in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

4. Recognised qualification in laser and radiation safety.

5. Experience with laser and radiation sources. 

6. Experience of working interfacing with electronic management systems.

7. Experience with audits and inspections. 

8. Experience of working in with GLP/GMP.

9. Ability to negotiate with and influence external authorities within UK

10. Full UK Driving Licence

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Sunday 23^rd August 2026.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.