Research Compliance Officer

Posting Details

Title Information

Full-Time/Part-Time Full Time Salary Range 47,000 Will this position be Onsite, Remote, or Hybrid? Hybrid

Position Details

Position Information

Posting Number NC1072026 Working Title Research Compliance Officer Department Org 441000 - Research Compliance Why should you work at UCA?

We are excited that you are considering joining the UCA Family-the faculty, staff, students and alumni-who make the University of Central Arkansas a great place to work!

At the University of Central Arkansas, we value our employees striving to maintain a work-life balance. We realize that this affects the overall well-being of employees while learning to prioritize challenging work and the ability to make a difference. Participation in university-wide flexible work schedules may be available for certain positions. Training is provided on systems or job-specific software, and tools are available supporting professional and personal development. The benefits package allows you to customize your benefits to meet your current needs, with the ability to adjust them as your priorities change. This includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, 80% tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a retirement program with university contributions of 10% of employee salary. Also available are health and wellness incentives, as well as access to sports and cultural activities on campus for the family, free gym membership and equipment rentals.

Position Summary

The RCO oversees all aspects of research compliance in the areas of human subject protection, animal care and use, financial conflicts of interest, export control, and the responsible conduct of research, and supports the Research Integrity Officer in matters involving allegations of noncompliance or research misconduct. The RCO serves as the Institutional Review Board administrator, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee administrator, and the university's Export Control Officer. The RCO establishes and maintains working relationships with individuals at all levels of the institution's research community, educates the UCA community on the policies and procedures governing the review of research, and keeps current on the regulatory landscape through professional development, including regional and national conferences.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers the human subjects protection program and serves as IRB administrator, managing protocol intake and review, committee support, continuing review, post-approval monitoring, and the institution's federal assurances and reliance agreements.
• Administers the animal care and use program and serves as IACUC administrator, coordinating protocol review, semiannual program review and facility inspection, and the institution's animal welfare assurance.
• Serves as Export Control Officer, conducting restricted party screening, evaluating the applicability of the fundamental research exclusion, and developing technology control plans as needed.
• Administers the financial conflict of interest program, including disclosure review, management plans, training verification, and required agency reporting.
• Supports the Research Integrity Officer in matters involving alleged noncompliance or research misconduct, including receiving allegations, sequestering and maintaining custody of research records, and providing administrative support to inquiry and investigation committees. The Research Integrity Officer retains decision-making authority.
• Develops and delivers compliance education, training, orientation, guidance documents, and individual consultation for faculty, staff, and students, and administers the university's online research ethics training program.
• Administers the university's electronic research compliance platform, maintains audit-ready records consistent with federal retention requirements, and prepares compliance reports for institutional leadership, the University Research Council, and external agencies.
• Reviews institutional research compliance policies and procedures and recommends revisions as federal and state regulations change, and serves as a resource during audits and federal site visits.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the federal regulatory framework governing research, including human subjects protections, animal welfare, export control, financial conflicts of interest, and research misconduct.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations accurately and consistently, and in a fair, reasonable, and service-oriented manner.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, recognize the limits of that judgment, and escalate matters appropriately.
• Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive matters while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding sensitive personnel, research, and compliance information.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear regulatory correspondence, policy language, and guidance materials.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to explain regulatory requirements to audiences with varying levels of research experience.
• Ability to establish and sustain productive working relationships across all levels of the institution, including faculty, department chairs, deans, general counsel, sponsored programs staff, and information technology.
• Knowledge of the organization and administration of higher education, including shared governance and the culture of academic research.

Skills Considered Essential for Success

• Knowledge of the organization and administration of higher education.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and university rules, regulations and procedures.
• Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently with common goals as a part of a team.
• Ability to make sound judgments.
• Effective interpersonal communication, writing, and organizational abilities.
• Civility in all interactions.
• Demonstrate effective follow-up.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, a natural or social science, sociology, public administration, business, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in research administration, research compliance, IRB or IACUC support, regulatory affairs, or a substantially similar role.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying regulations, policies, or procedures in a professional setting.

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Master's degree or higher in a related field.
• Direct experience administering an IRB, IACUC, export control program, or financial conflict of interest program in a higher education or research setting.
• Experience conducting research involving human participants or laboratory animals.
• Certified IRB Professional (CIP) credential, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within two years of appointment.
• Experience with an electronic research compliance management system, such as Cayuse, IRBNet, or a comparable platform.
• Active participation in a relevant professional organization, such as PRIM&R, NCURA, SRA International, or the Association of University Export Control Officers.

University, Campus, and Community Description

Thank you for your interest in employment at the University of Central Arkansas.

Founded in 1907, UCA has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students and employs over 1,300 full-time employees. The university offers more than 85 undergraduate and 59 graduate certificate and degree programs, including doctoral programs in five disciplines. UCA is proud of its tradition of teaching excellence and its contributions in research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Desired start date 10/19/2026

Position Summary and Qualifications

License(s)/Certifications Physical Demands Checklist Sitting, Standing, Lifting/Carrying, Walking Physical Exertion Administrative Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds, Primarily indoor work

Posting Detail Information

Background Check Statement

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal, sex-offender registry, financial history background check and drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

UCA EEO Statement

The University of Central Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. In keeping with its nondiscrimination policy in employment, admissions and other functions and programs, the university considers employees and students on the basis of individual merit and will not discriminate against a person on the basis of gender, race or color, ethnicity, religion, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, familial status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disability, political beliefs, intellectual perspective, genetic information, military status, or other factors irrelevant to participation in its programs.

Open Date 08/25/2026 Close Date 09/18/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants

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Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• Veteran's Documents
• License or Certification