Associate Director Research Ethics and Compliance - 522076

Pay Grade/Pay Range:  Minimum: $74,200 - Midpoint: $100,200 (Salaried E12)

Department/Organization: 702105 - Office for Rsch Ethics & Compliance

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Job Summary: The Associate Director is responsible for the development and management of processes involving in-depth protocol review using expert regulatory knowledge and experience. Requires intake, pre-review, and tracking of new research protocols, amendments, continuing reviews of protocols, and post approval monitoring of human subjects research. Provides expert guidance, assistance, and support to research faculty, administration, and leadership, and manages staff.

Additional Department Summary: The University of Alabama’s (UA) Institutional Review Board (IRB) is charged with ensuring all aspects of UA’s Human Research Protection Program comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including standards of excellence necessary for maintaining accreditation status. The Associate Director position, which is core to UA’s research ethics and compliance activities, focuses primarily on human subjects research.

The Associate Director, under the direction of the Office for Research Ethics & Compliance Director and in coordination with the IRB Committee, manages the process of in-depth protocol review using expert regulatory knowledge and experience. Primary responsibilities include managing the IRB administrative processes and supervising personnel performing protocol review; developing, implementing, and communicating research ethics programs; performing review of complex, difficult, and/or high-risk protocols; identifying and solving issues; and independently determining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, UA policies, and accreditation requirements.

The Associate Director serves as the chief IRB administrator; leads the Human Research Protection Programs (HRPP); develops and maintains HRPP compliance manuals, procedures, and policies; assigns, supervises, and conducts compliance audits and investigations; prepares and submits assurances, registrations, and annual reports as required by federal regulations and UA policies; and serves as the UA liaison to research compliance regulatory agencies. Additionally, the Associate Director provides programmatic support for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Institutional Biosafety Committee, and works collaboratively with IACUC and Biosafety personnel.

Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of research compliance and IRB experience.

Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects in a research compliance office; expert knowledge and understanding of the regulatory requirements in academic research; ability to expertly review research IRB protocols in a research compliance office.

Skills and Knowledge: Expert knowledge of higher education policies and research regulations. Expert technical knowledge and experience with electronic research database applications, data management systems, and electronic workflow systems.

Preferred Qualifications: Certification as an IRB Professional (CIP). Master’s degree; more than ten years of research compliance and IRB experience; experience leading teams of personnel performing protocol review; and demonstrated experience with HRPP, IACUC, and Biosafety regulatory administration in a research-intensive institution of higher education.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster