Director, Research Integrity and Security

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Director, Research Integrity and Security, provides strategic oversight for and coordination of institutional research compliance programs to promote the highest standards of ethics, integrity, responsibility, and responsiveness to sponsors across the university's research community. Reporting to the Vice President for Research (VPR), the Director leads the Research Integrity and Security team in designing, developing, implementing, and monitoring an effective research compliance program across several critical, legally mandated areas. Coordinating institutional-wide initiatives to assess, balance and respond appropriately to compliance risks, this position requires working collaboratively and strategically with other campus administrative offices, including the Office of Compliance and Policy, Office of General Counsel, Academic Affairs, Environmental Health and Safety, Information Technology, and the Office of Research Administration.

The Director, Research Integrity and Security provides guidance on responsible conduct of research and research security to support researchers and safeguard the university’s research enterprise. The Director will work collaboratively with the VPR, faculty, students and other researchers to help create a competitive advantage for Mines in an increasingly complex and critically important secure research environment. The Director coordinates Mines' responses to violations of research standards, including the investigation and response to research misconduct. This position also serves as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Empowered Official for the university and ensures compliance with export control regulations.

A flexible, hybrid work environment is available. However, the incumbent must be able to commute to campus in Golden, Colorado, on a regular basis.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Research Integrity (35%)

• Coordinate and facilitate responses to violations of research standards, including the investigation of allegations of research misconduct per policy noted in the Academic Faculty Handbook and as defined in the Policy for Research Integrity.Responsible for federal reporting of research misconduct or reporting to sponsors. 

• Oversee Mines’ Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) program. 

• Act as the primary point of contact for advice on a wide range of topics, including Research Conflicts of Interest (COI), and Conflicts of Commitment (COC), Research Data and Privacy, and International Research Compliance.

• Oversee the protection of human subjects in research (noting that Mines does not maintain an internal IRB) and refer protocols requiring review to Mines’ IRB of record. Maintain Mines’ Federalwide Assurance.
   

2. Research Security (25%)

• Ensure compliance with federally mandated research security requirements, including the National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33), the CHIPS and Science Act, and the OSTP Research Security Program Standards. Advise campus stakeholders on trends in research security, including enforcement activities affecting the conduct of research.

• Conduct export control analysis of individual projects and technologies to assess the personnel and facilities involved. Determine if a Technology Control Plan (TCP) is warranted for specific research projects and draft these plans accordingly. Serve as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Empowered Official for the university, ensuring strict compliance with all federal export regulations.

• Monitor restricted party screenings at the departmental level and review university transactions—including international travel, purchase requisitions and visiting scholar applications—for compliance. Provide guidance on international research collaborations consistent with federal regulations and university guidelines.

• Oversee Mines’ program for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and support resource needs for CMMC implementation. Coordinate with campus stakeholders on cybersecurity and data protection requirements related to controlled research.

• Maintain Mines’ competitive advantage by fostering a compliant and responsive research environment that projects confidence to sponsors.

3. Program Development (25%)

• Develop institutional policies, procedures, and guidelines that enable research while ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Design and deliver a multifaceted training program to ensure faculty and staff are knowledgeable about pertinent policies and federal and state standards.

• Author and coordinate the dissemination of critical communications regarding research compliance issues.

• Work with the VPR and faculty to explore research sponsorship opportunities that can leverage Mines’ excellence in the secure execution of sensitive research.

4. Supervision and Other Duties (15%)

• Supervise a staff of three individuals: Senior Research Integrity and Security Analyst, two Research Security Analysts. Accountable for their performance and for the outcomes for Mines of their work, including reasonable responsiveness and high-quality review.Serve as chair of the Research Integrity and Security Committee (RISC) on behalf of the Vice President for Research (VPR).

• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the Office of Research.

Learn more about the Office of Research at https://research.mines.edu/.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant area of study.

• Minimum three years professional experience in research compliance and/or research administration.

• Experience with federal research regulations pertaining to areas such as export controls, research integrity, research security, human subjects research, and conflict of interest (COI) management.

• Experience  interpreting and explaining complex regulations to various audiences and assessing their impact on institutional business needs.

• Supervisory or team leadership experience, including responsibility for employee performance management and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate, or advanced degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher education

• ECoP®EAR/ITAR certification or equivalent training.

• Proven relationship building skills with internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience working within academic research environments.

Decision Scope and Communication

The Director must make both strategic and tactical decisions that balance institutional risk with the university's ability to perform cutting-edge research. This position requires high-level communication with senior executives, faculty, as well as administrative support and students to effectively explain often ambiguous regulatory issues.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting