Senior Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Application Deadline: 26 October 2025

Department: Health & Safety

Location: Cheadle

Compensation: £50,000 - £55,000 / year

Description

At UK Biobank, we hold one of the world’s most valuable health research resources a database of unparalleled depth and integrity. Protecting the people, places, and processes that enable this research is fundamental to everything we do.

This is your opportunity to play a critical role in shaping and maintaining a safe, sustainable, and compliant environment across all UK Biobank sites. You’ll be at the heart of ensuring our facilities meet the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental management.


Can you do it?

Reporting to the Head of Health, Safety and Environment, you’ll deliver hands-on HSE support across our imaging centres, laboratories, and offices, with a particular focus on establishing and implementing a health and safety management system and auditing this across the organisation.

You’ll lead internal audit programmes, drive continuous improvement, and promote a culture where safety and sustainability are everyone’s responsibility.

Your duties will include:

• Site visits, risk assessments, inspections, and audits across UKB imaging centres, laboratories and offices.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to managers and staff on compliance with HSE legislation and UK Biobank HSE policies, processes and systems.
• Support the development and review of risk assessments, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe systems of work, and HSE aspects of emergency response plans.
• Lead internal audit programmes, aligned to established standards for health, safety and environment management systems, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist in delivering HSE training programmes, workshops, communications and engagement to staff at all levels.
• Provide regular reports on HSE performance, audit outcomes, and incident statistics to Head of HSE and senior management.
  
  
  

Is this 'you'?

To be successful, you will have:

• Proven experience in health, safety, and environmental management within a multi-site, regulated environment (preferably healthcare, research, or laboratory related).
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, environmental regulations, and established HSE management standards and systems.
• Experience planning and conducting internal and external HSE audits.
• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent professional health and safety qualification.
• IOSH Membership (CMIOSH or Grad IOSH working towards CMIOSH considered).
• IEMA / ISEP Membership and accredited Environmental Management qualification (e.g. NEBOSH Environmental Management)
  
  

The working pattern is Monday to Friday, with hybrid working arrangements based at UK Biobank’s facilities in Greater Manchester (initially Stockport, moving to Greenheys in 2026). Occasional site visits/travel/overnight stays required within the UK.

Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.

Your Wellbeing Matters to Us

We’re proud to offer a benefits package that supports your health, financial security, and work-life balance - right from day one. Here’s what you can look forward to as part of our team:

• 26 Days’ Annual Leave - Plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Holiday Buy Scheme - Purchase up to one additional week of leave per year.
• Birthday Leave - Enjoy a paid day off to celebrate your birthday.
• USS Pension Scheme - Hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution pension plan.
• Healthcare Cash Plan - Claim back costs for everyday health expenses.
• Enhanced Family Leave - Available from day one for maternity, paternity, and adoption.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - Save on a new bike and accessories.
• Season Ticket Loan - Interest-free loan to help with commuting costs.
• Professional Subscriptions - Reimbursement where applicable.
• Learning budget - Annual funds for courses, books, or anything else that fuels your personal and professional growth.
• Free On-Site Gym - Stay active with access to our gym facilities.
• Subsidised Canteen Lunches - Enjoy healthy meals at reduced prices.
• Free Car Parking - On-site parking available for staff.
• Employee Discounts Portal - Access to savings across retail, travel, and more.
• Employee Assistance Programme - Confidential support for personal and work-related issues.
• Annual Flu Vaccination - Stay protected with free flu jabs.
• Life Assurance Cover - Financial protection for your loved ones.
  
  
  
  

The job advert closing date may change, so we recommend that if you are planning to apply that you do so without delay.