Assistant Director Research Security - OVCR - Office of Research Integrity & Ethics (ORIE)

Position Summary
Utilizing their research/research administration background, this position will facilitate the development and maintenance of the University’s research security program. This role is responsible for identifying research security risks, developing mitigations plans and monitoring investigator compliance as well as supporting University departments and personnel on issues related to international operations and relations, including compliance, security management, and other high-risk activities and programs.
The incumbent provides strategic identification, evaluation, program development, and leadership to prevent, reduce, and/ or mitigate risks to the Universities personnel, information, technology, facilities, and property with specific focus on international collaboration, sensitive research, intellectual property and other high risk activities that may impact the Universities ability to accomplish its educational and research mission. The incumbent collaboratively ensures University security standards and programs meet or exceed institutional and regulatory expectations. Areas of coordination include COI office for external professional activities; Research grant and contracts and funding agency requirements; Export Controls; International students (visa applications, federal requirements, etc.); International visitors (affiliates, visiting researchers or scholars, etc.); Information Security to ensure cybersecurity requirements are appropriately addressed.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct regular internal assessments to identify research security and integrity risks by partnering with various offices to obtain and assess information in determining potential risk level, manage lower risk situations, and elevate high-risk concerns to the Risk Escalation Work Group using our risk model. The incumbent will research, analyze and prepare risk and security related assessments / products. This will include assessing research applications and funding, investigators’ external activities, collaborative relationships and publications. Develop risk mitigation plans for high-risk relationships or as required per funding agency compliance with a specific focus on international collaboration, sensitive research and other high-risk activities.
• Establish and maintain a risk-based monitoring program for PI reporting to funding agencies. This will involve comparing select research funding applications against disclosure data and research relationships to verify the appropriate activities are reported.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and provide advice and assistance concerning security standards and other compliance related programs. This involves providing one-on-one advice to faculty and researchers on potential risks and internal and external reporting requirements. This role may assess and approve certain international travel by PIs and key personnel and provide security briefings.
• Develop, implement and maintain, training and web-based resources and tools for faculty and the research community on disclosure requirements, research security, cybersecurity. Offering web-based and in-person training. This will include monitoring for timely compliance with training requirements and ensuring the appropriate covered individuals are trained (estimating 3,000-5,000 individuals).
• Serve as the Research Security Point of Contact as required by federal agencies and assist is addressing agency inquiries.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Typical office setting.
• Hybrid remote work model.
• Physically located near the School of Medicine campus.
• Occasional travel to other campus locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated understanding of a research, academic, and regulatory environment, and ability to interpret regulations, policy and legal documents.
• Basic knowledge of contract review, interpretation, and negotiation practices.
• Demonstrated understanding of a research, academic, and regulatory environment, and ability to interpret regulations, policy and legal documents.
• Ability to organize and lead projects requiring integration of efforts across many internal and external entities including university leadership, faculty, staff and students while being sensitive to the needs of different constituencies, time constraints and resource availability.
• Ability to take action in solving problems while exhibiting judgment and a realistic understanding of issues.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing clearly and effectively, presenting ideas, documenting activities, reading and interpreting written information such as federal, state and internal guidelines and requirements.
• Superior written, verbal and training communication skills. Ability to bridge the communication gap between IT security, export control, and conflict of interest professionals, administrators, and researchers (end-users).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five years of experience in research, research administration or related field in an academic research institution, federal research funding agency, or higher education setting.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Grade
G14

Salary Range
$73,700.00 - $125,900.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected]  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.