Associate Director of Academic Integrity and Professional Standards

University of Pennsylvania

50d•$66,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Associate Director will support the Director of Academic Integrity and Professional Standards (AIPS) in managing complex, sensitive, and confidential matters involving research misconduct, professionalism issues, authorship disputes, conflict-of-interest issues, faculty/staff conduct, and responsible conduct of research training at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) and Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Working closely with the Director of AIPS, the Associate Director provides high-level operational, analytical, and administrative support across the full life cycle of professionalism and research misconduct cases—intake, due diligence, analysis, documentation, committee support, policy application, conclusion of findings, and communication with stakeholders. This role is ideal for a highly organized, detail-focused professional with strong judgment, decision-making skills, discretion, and an interest in academic research integrity, institutional policy, and investigative work. The Associate Director serves as a critical partner in ensuring that PSOM’s research and academic environment reflects the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; certificate in paralegal studies preferred, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
Highly developed analytical and problems solving skills, with capacity to work through issues and identify solutions independently.
Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines, priorities and allocate tasks in a high-volume environment.
Demonstrated experience leading sensitive, high stakes investigations.
High level of accuracy and demonstrated attention to detail.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of reporting requirements and responsibilities as necessary in the areas of professionalism, research misconduct, and conflict-of -interest.
Demonstrated ability to maintain personal resilience while dealing with difficult issues. negotiate and deal with difficult issues in a sensitive and professional manner, coupled with conflict resolution skills and a demonstrated ability to use tact and discretion to uphold privacy and confidentiality where required.
Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures to work issues. work independently while also being a willing and active contributor to multiple teams.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal experience strongly preferred
Experience in an academic environment preferred.
Experience with investigative or analytic software tools (e.g. forensic imaging review, metadata analysis, or platforms for reviewing sequestered data and devices) is preferred.
Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop or similar software used for image review, and a strong background in information technology, are preferred.
Experience with managing data, working with spreadsheets, and creating presentations.
A writing sample may be requested.

Responsibilities

Manages research misconduct and lapses in professional standards under the direction of the Director including leading the intake and fact-finding process, preparing summary reports of findings and overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of behavioral management plans.
Coordinates and supports interviews related to professionalism and research misconduct cases, including scheduling interviews and committee meetings, aiding in communications with faculty and trainees, preparing agendas, organizing confidential case materials, taking detailed contemporaneous notes, and producing accurate interview summaries for Director and/or committee review.
Prepares structured timelines, document inventories, and organized evidence packets to support analysis, committee deliberations, and final reports.
Drafts initial versions of case summaries, committee reports, correspondence, and findings under the direction of the Director; manages formatting, exhibit lists, cross-referencing, and quality control.
Develops, enhances, and maintains confidential policies and procedures for the handling and processing of faculty complaints and allegations.
Monitors, evaluates, and analyzes relevant faculty data, providing reports to internal and external parties as required, and ensuring compliance with relevant University policies and procedures.
Works closely with the Office of General Counsel and the Dean’s office on all relevant issues.
Provides a source of information and support for department leaders and faculty with concerns related to professionalism, research misconduct, conflict-of-interest with the ability to triage issues to the appropriate University or PSOM offices depending on the nature of the issues.
Supports the development, coordination, and delivery of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training across PSOM, including logistics for in-person and virtual sessions, registration management, participant tracking, and preparation of presentation materials, and targeted communications related to RCR, as required.
Participates in leadership and faculty development initiatives as needed.
Performs other duties as needed

Benefits

Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.