Director of Research Compliance, Integrity, and Security

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

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The Director of Research Compliance, Integrity, and Security serves as the institutional leader for research compliance, export controls, and research security at Abilene Christian University. ACU is a Carnegie R2 institution with a growing and increasingly complex research portfolio. While current federal funding levels are modest, the University supports a diverse range of research activities, including areas subject to heightened regulatory and national security considerations. This includes research areas with specialized regulatory requirements, including those governed by Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission frameworks. This position reports to the Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management and works in close coordination with the Division of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities. The Director provides oversight and support across core research compliance functions, including human subjects research (IRB), animal care and use (IACUC), biosafety (IBC), conflicts of interest, responsible conduct of research, and research integrity, while also leading the University’s export control and research security programs. This role is responsible for developing and implementing policies, procedures, training, and monitoring activities that promote compliant, ethical, and secure research practices, aligned with evolving federal expectations and the University’s growing research enterprise.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research Compliance, 35%

  • Oversees institutional compliance programs for human subjects research (IRB), animal care and use (IACUC), and biosafety (IBC)

  • Ensures research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies

  • Provides administrative and compliance support to IRB, IACUC, and IBC committees, including protocol review processes, documentation, and reporting

  • Oversees conflict of interest and financial conflict of interest (COI/FCOI) disclosure, review, and management processes

  • Promotes and supports Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training and compliance across the research community

  • Manages processes related to research integrity, including allegations of research misconduct, in coordination with institutional leadership

  • Develops and maintains standard operating procedures and guidance to support compliant research practices

  • Conducts periodic reviews and monitoring activities to assess compliance and identify areas of risk or improvement

  • Serves as a resource to faculty and staff on regulatory requirements and best practices related to research compliance

• Research Security and Export Control, 45%

  • Serves as the University’s Export Control Officer (ECO), with responsibility for the development, implementation, and oversight of the export control compliance program across research, academic, and operational activities

  • Ensures compliance with applicable federal regulations, including:

    • Department of Energy regulations (10 CFR Part 810)

    • Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations (10 CFR Part 110)

    • International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

    • Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

  • Oversees research security program development aligned with NSPM 33 and federal sponsor expectations

  • Manages risk related to foreign influence, foreign national participation, and international collaborations

  • Conducts export control and research security reviews of research proposals, contracts, and partnerships

  • Oversees visiting scholar and international researcher risk assessments

  • Supports classification and handling of controlled, sensitive, or export regulated research activities

  • Coordinates with institutional stakeholders on cybersecurity and data protection requirements related to controlled research

  • Serves as primary liaison for export control and research security matters with federal agencies

• Policy Development and Regulatory Monitoring 10%

  • Develops and maintains institutional policies and procedures related to research compliance, export controls, and research security

  • Monitors evolving federal regulations and guidance and translates them into institutional practice

  • Conducts risk assessments, internal reviews, and supports external audits or assessments

  • Provides executive-level updates to leadership and governance bodies

• Training and Education 10%

  • Develops and implements training programs related to research compliance, export controls, and research security

  • Provides targeted training for faculty, researchers, and operational units involved in controlled or sensitive research

  • Promotes a culture of compliance and research integrity across the institution

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university 

• Experience (+5 years) in export control, research compliance, or research security in higher education, healthcare, or research-intensive environments.

​PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited university

• Direct experience with Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, including Part 810 and Part 110

• Experience supporting or managing export control programs involving nuclear, energy, or other highly regulated technologies

• Experience implementing research security programs aligned with NSPM 33 or similar federal requirements

• Professional certification (e.g., Export Compliance Professional (ECoP) or similar)

• Supervisory experience

• Experience working in or alongside a research administration or sponsored programs office

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial conflicts of interest and federal research sponsor disclosure requirements.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal export control regulations (ITAR, EAR), with familiarity in DOE and NRC regulatory frameworks highly preferred

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate complex situations and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies

• Ability to engage effectively with faculty, researchers, and senior leadership

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.