Job Posting Title:
Research Compliance and Scientific Integrity Officer
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Hiring Department:
Dell Medical School
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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:
Purpose
The Research Compliance Officer (RCO) is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies and procedures internal to Dell Medical School to facilitate compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The position will perform intake and work jointly with the Office of Risk & Compliance and the Office of the Vice President of Research on matters relating to issues of research, research integrity and scientific conduct. Reporting to the Chief Enterprise Risk & Compliance Officer, the RCO collaborates closely with compliance, legal counsel, Dell Medical School research administration, principal investigators, research staff, and the Office of the Vice President of Research including institutional review boards (IRBs) as needed. Peer roles include the Director of Research Administration, Risk & Compliance Officer, and Privacy Officer. The RCO leads investigations into allegations of research misconduct partnering with applicable offices, works with staff and administration to achieve timely reporting to federal agencies, and promotes a culture of ethical research through education and training. This role is critical in safeguarding the Dell Medical School’s reputation, protecting research participants, and ensuring appropriate compliance mechanisms exist to address questions of the integrity of scientific outputs.
Responsibilities
Research Compliance Program Monitoring and Oversight
Develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive research compliance program aligned with federal, state, and institutional regulations working jointly with the Office of the Vice President of Research and the Office of Risk & Compliance.
Monitors internal compliance with policies related to human subjects, animal research, biosafety, data security, and financial conflicts of interest.
Coordinates with internal audit and legal departments to assess risk and ensure regulatory alignment.
Conducts regular compliance reviews and audits of research activities.
Works with the Office of the Vice President of Research Ensures timely and accurate reporting to regulatory agencies.
Research Misconduct and Integrity Concerns Investigations
Intakes concerns and ensures appropriate investigation of allegations of research misconduct, including fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
Ensures compliance with institutional policies and federal regulations (e.g., 42 CFR Part 93).
Prepares detailed investigative reports and maintains documentation for internal and external review, as needed.
Coordinates with legal counsel, university offices, and external agencies as needed.
Recommends corrective actions and monitors implementation.
Education and Training Development and Delivery
Designs and delivers training programs on responsible conduct of research (RCR), scientific integrity, and compliance topics.
Develops educational materials and online modules for faculty, staff, and trainees.
Tracks participation and evaluates training effectiveness.
Advises departments on best practices in research compliance.
Promotes a culture of ethical research through outreach and engagement.
Collaboration with Stakeholders
Serves as a liaison to the Dell Medical School Research Administration and as needed to IRBs, IACUCs, IBCs, and other research oversight committees.
Partners with Dell Medical School Research Administration, grants and contracts, and sponsored programs offices.
Advises principal investigators and department chairs on compliance questions, concerns, and issues.
Participates in institutional committees related to research governance.
Supports interdisciplinary initiatives to enhance research integrity.
Policies and Procedures Administration
Drafts, updates, and disseminates Dell Medical School policies related to research compliance and scientific integrity.
Ensures policies are aligned with evolving federal and state regulations.
Reviews and revises Dell Medical School standard operating procedures (SOPs) for research oversight.
Coordinates policy implementation across departments.
Maintains a centralized repository of compliance documentation.
Regulatory and Industry Trends Monitoring
Stays current on changes in federal and state research compliance regulations.
Analyzes emerging trends and best practices in research integrity.
Advises leadership on implications of regulatory changes.
Participates in professional organizations and conferences (e.g., HCCA, PRIM&R).
Benchmarks institutional practices against peer organizations.
Marginal or Periodic Functions
Participates in external audits and site visits conducted by federal agencies or research sponsors, providing documentation and institutional responses as needed.
Contributes to grant proposal development by advising on compliance-related sections, including data management plans and conflict of interest disclosures.
Supports crisis response efforts involving research-related incidents, such as data breaches, adverse events, or whistleblower complaints.
Represents Dell Medical School at national conferences and professional forums related to research compliance and scientific integrity.
Assists in the onboarding of new research faculty and staff, providing orientation on institutional compliance expectations and resources.
Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency while supporting department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization.
Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
Demonstrated ability to adhere to an appropriate and effective set of core values and beliefs during both good and bad times; acts in line with those values; rewards the right values and disapproves of others; practices what they preach.
Demonstrated ability to champion institutional integrity and transparency in all research compliance matters.
Maintains confidentiality and impartiality during investigations of misconduct.
Models ethical behavior and sets a tone of accountability across research teams.
Ability to make good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; most of their solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time.
Ability to evaluate complex compliance issues and determines appropriate courses of action.
Possesses functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
Demonstrated deep knowledge of federal research compliance regulations (e.g., 42 CFR Part 93, OHRP, FDA).
Ability to apply technical expertise to develop and implement effective compliance programs.
Ability to interpret complex regulatory language and translates it into actionable institutional policies.
Must possess excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills along with the ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, work well under pressure, and manage details of several concurrent projects.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
Capable of working independently.
Ability to work cooperatively with multi-disciplinary groups and line managers.
Ability to build trust with faculty, staff, and leadership through consistent and respectful communication.
Possesses effective problem-solving and conflict management skills.
Strong focused listening to hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably.
Ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences, including clinicians, scientists, and administrators.
Ability to maintain credibility while delivering difficult compliance messages.
Ability to manage multiple projects.
Ability to plan, organize, set and accomplish goals.
Ability to analyze/evaluate data and make appropriate recommendations.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in healthcare sciences, public health, life sciences, legal studies, or healthcare administration, or related field of study.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in research compliance, research administration, or regulatory affairs within a healthcare, academic, or research-intensive environment.
A Master’s degree in related field may substitute for up to 2 years of required experience
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree or higher in biomedical sciences, public health, healthcare compliance, law (e.g., JD), or related field of study.
Seven (7) years of work experience in research compliance, including direct experience managing investigations of research misconduct and developing institutional compliance programs in a complex healthcare or academic setting.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS
Required: None specified upon hire; professional certification is strongly preferred and may be required within a specified timeframe after hire.
Salary Range
OPEN
Working Conditions
Standard office equipment
Repetitive use of a keyboard
Must be able to work in a hybrid environment as needed.
May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients, or others.
Required Materials
Resume/CV
3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
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Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Legal & Compliance (2)