Senior Director, Research Security, Office of Research Support and Compliance

Job Posting Title:

Senior Director, Research Security, Office of Research Support and Compliance

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Hiring Department:

Office of Research Support and Compliance

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Office of Research Support and Compliance (ORSC) at The University of Texas at Austin functions to ensure that all research conducted at the University is in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies. The ORSC educates and supports the University research community with regulatory guidance concerning human subjects research (Institutional Review Board), animal research (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee), use of biohazardous agents and use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids (Institutional Biosafety Committee), financial conflict of interest in research (FCOI), and research integrity education

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes: 

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage 

• Retirement contributions

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Paid holidays

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

The Senior Director, Research Security, reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Support and Compliance, is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of research security at UT Austin. This includes oversight of export control, mitigation of undue foreign influence, and compliance with controlled unclassified information management. The role ensures alignment with federal and state requirements, advises senior leadership on policy development, and implements risk mitigation strategies to protect university personnel, programs, data, and intellectual property.

 

Responsibilities

Research Security Program Oversight

• Maintain a robust research security program designed to identify and mitigate risks of foreign influence to the university’s intellectual property and reputation, and which meets the requirements of NSPM-33, CHIPS and Science Act, and other federal and state requirements.

• Advise senior leadership on evolving research security regulations, best practices, and risk tolerance. Develop and implement responsive policies and procedures. 

• Lead the International Collaboration and Review Committee charged with assessing risks of international research collaborations.

• Provide guidance to faculty, staff, and trainees on research security, international collaborations, and high-risk outside professional activities.

• Conduct investigations into research-related activities that pose security risks, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, research sponsors, researchers, and senior leadership. 

• Serve on the International Oversight Committee to assess and mitigate risks related to international travel. 

• Oversee risk assessments for research collaborations, visiting scholars, exchange programs, licensing agreements, and contracts.

• Collaborate with stakeholder units to implement employee screening processes for data and intellectual property protection. 

• Partner with the Office of Sponsored Projects to ensure institutional compliance with research security requirements and certifications.

• Oversee training, outreach, and guidance related to research security, export control, and restricted research.

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) an