Research Security Administrator

Title: Research Security Administrator

Employee Classification: Research Security Administrato

Campus: University of North Texas Health at Fort Worth

Division: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

SubDivision-Department: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

Department: HSC-Rsrch Compliance-390000

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: 85,000.00-90,000.00

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNT Health) is located within the Division of Research & Innovation (DRI). The ORC oversees specific components of research compliance and university research oversight committees such as the Institutional Review Board, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Research Conflict of Interest (RCOI), Export Controls and International Compliance (ECIC) Office, Research Security Office, and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Research Integrity Programs to ensure compliance with university policies and alignment with federal and state regulations/laws related to research activity. The office oversees development and implementation of policies, procedures, and educational activities which satisfy university policies, state, and federal regulations governing the conduct of research. The ORC is responsible for monitoring regulatory updates and making recommendations to the university and all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance.

Position Overview

The ORC is seeking to hire a Research Security Manager to join our team. This position will report directly to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Research Compliance, who also serves as the institution’s Research Security Officer (RSO).

The Research Security Manager is responsible for supporting and advancing the institution's Research Security Program to safeguard the integrity of research, ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional requirements, manage compliance risks related to foreign influence and cybersecurity, and promote responsible international engagement in research and scholarly activities.

Working closely with the institution's RSO/AVP for Research Compliance, the Research Security Manager develops, implements, coordinates, and monitors research security activities across the institution. This position serves as a key resource to faculty, staff, students, researchers, administrators, and institutional leadership regarding research security requirements associated with federally funded research, emerging federal regulations, foreign influence and foreign interference risks, international collaborations, and federally mandated research security training.

The Research Security Manager will work with institutional stakeholders as needed to identify, assess, and mitigate potential security risks affecting research and related activities. This position plays a critical role in protecting the integrity of the institution’s research enterprise while enabling global collaboration by conducting risk assessments, reviewing disclosures, supporting training initiatives, and ensuring alignment with federal and state mandates such as NSPM‑33, CHIPS and Science Act requirements, Texas Education Codes 51.956 and 51.957, Texas HB 127 as well as agency-specific guidelines (e.g., NSF, NIH, DoD, etc.). The role requires close collaboration and partnership with ORC, DRI, and UNT Health leadership as well as the following: Office of Export Controls and International Compliance, Research Conflicts of Interest, Office of Institutional Integrity and Awareness, Information Technology/IT Compliance/Information Security, Office of Sponsored Programs, Human Resources, Office of the Provost/Division of Student Affairs, and other areas as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of relevant professional experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of appropriate federal regulatory agencies (NSF, DoD, PHS, NIH, etc.)
• Skill set in working in electronic databases/submission systems, web sites/web pages, and on-line outreach and training tools.
• Strong organizational, analytical skills, and problem solving skills; outstanding attention to detail; objective observer.
• Exceptionally strong written communication, verbal communication, and presentation skills; education and training experience in higher education preferred.
• High level of maturity, diplomacy, integrity and strict confidentiality.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:

• Master’s or other advanced degree and five (5) years of relevant and progressively responsible administrative experience in research administration, research compliance, export controls, political science, international affairs, national security, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state research security requirements, including NSPM 33, CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Texas House bill 127, and federal agency policies such as NSF, DoD, and NIH.
• Previous experience in a research security-specific role
• Experience with international research compliance, research misconduct processes, or export control oversight.
• Experience in higher education or research environment
• Support the review of restricted research projects involving federal agencies and other sponsors.
• Coordinate due diligence reviews and screenings involving foreign entities, international partnerships, sensitive research activities, gifts, and international travel.
• Assist in developing risk mitigation strategies and management plans.
  Percentage of Time: 20%

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Certifications in one or more of the following:

• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)
• Certified Export Compliance Professional (CECP)
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (cybersecurity and data protection)
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)/US (U.S. privacy laws, regulations and data protection)
• Other similar/related certification

Job Duties

Research Security Program Administration

• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the institution’s research security program, ensuring compliance with federal regulations (e.g., NSPM-33, CHIPS and Science Act requirements), state laws (Texas HB 127), institutional policies related to research security, and federal sponsor requirements.
• Coordinate research security risk assessments and mitigation activities for research and related activities occurring at the institution.
• Develop and maintain research security policies, procedures, guidance documents, training and operational practices.
• Partner with UNT Health/UNT System Information Technology team to ensure cybersecurity compliance, including compliance with CMMC and NIST 800-171 requirements for research projects involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Monitor developments in federal and state research security requirements and work with AVP Research Compliance/RSO to advise institutional leadership on emerging risks and compliance obligations.
• Research Security Reviews & Due Diligence
• Conduct research security assessments for grants, contracts, subawards, collaborative agreements, and international engagements; may also include employment-related foreign travel pre-screening (when required). Support the review of restricted research projects involving federal agencies and other sponsors.
• Coordinate due diligence reviews and screenings involving foreign entities, international partnerships, sensitive research activities, gifts, and international travel.
• Assist in developing risk mitigation strategies and management plans.
• Foreign Influence and Disclosures Review and assess foreign affiliations, international collaborations, visiting scholars, and foreign support disclosures from faculty, staff, and students for potential research security concerns.
• Assist in evaluating and mitigating risks associated with foreign influence, foreign talent recruitment programs, conflicts of commitment, and conflicts of interest.
• Provide guidance regarding disclosure obligations required by federal sponsors and state regulations.
• Education, Outreach & Training
• Develop and deliver research security education and training programs for faculty, staff, students, and research administrators.
• Conduct presentations and workshops regarding research security, disclosure requirements, export controls, international collaborations, and related compliance topics.
• Create educational materials and resources that promote awareness of research security responsibilities Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
• Partner with Export Controls/International Compliance, Sponsored Programs, Information Security, Human Resources, Institutional Compliance, Office of General Counsel and others as needed to coordinate compliance efforts.
• Assist with coordinating meetings and actions of Research Security Committee / HB 127 Working Group.
• Serve on institutional committees and working groups related to research security and research compliance. Represent the institution in professional organizations, statewide working groups, and higher education research security forums as needed and as appropriate.
• Investigations, Monitoring & Reporting: Support research security inquiries, reviews, and investigations in collaboration with the RSO and appropriate institutional offices.
• Monitor compliance with research security requirements and institutional policies.
• Prepare reports, metrics, and recommendations for AVP/RSO and institutional leadership.
• Assist with audits, sponsor reviews, and regulatory inspections involving research security matters.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of completed screenings, risk assessments, and other related activities to assist in annual institutional certification requirements (per HB 127) and audit readiness.
• Support the institution's efforts to ensure research security compliance and safeguard research by assisting with research security processes.
• This position works under minimal supervision to review activities, maintain records, and support faculty and staff in meeting federal, state and institutional requirements related to national security and international collaborations.
• Conduct initial screenings of research projects and international engagements.
• Conduct restricted party screenings and risk assessments and maintain related tracking logs and reports.
• Monitor and review foreign engagements, travel, and shipment requests for security risk.
• Provide support for internal training coordination and compliance outreach.
• Help maintain internal documentation, filing systems, and compliance software tools.
• Stay updated on emerging issues in research security. 

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.