Director of Research Compliance

University of Mississippi • University, MS

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a leading public research university committed to fostering an inclusive environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive. The Office for Research & Economic Development is seeking a Director of Research Compliance to provide strategic leadership and regulatory expertise for the University's research compliance programs, including human research, animal research, and institutional biosafety. This role ensures that research activities adhere to all relevant federal and state regulations, accreditation standards, sponsor requirements, NIH Guidelines, and University policies. The Director will act as the primary point of contact for complex regulatory and ethical issues, develop and implement policies and educational initiatives to promote responsible research conduct, and oversee post-approval monitoring, investigations, and regulatory reporting. The position involves supervising research compliance personnel and collaborating with institutional leadership to enhance the University's research compliance infrastructure.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (Required)
• 10 Years Experience
• 5 Years Supervisory Experience

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant discipline.
• Experience administering Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and/or Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) programs at a research-intensive institution.
• Professional certification such as Certified IRB Professional (CIP), Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA), Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP), or a comparable credential.
• Direct experience in the conduct of research at an academic institution.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing multiple research compliance programs.

Responsibilities

• Directs the administration of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), ensuring compliance with applicable federal regulations, accreditation standards, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies.
• Oversees regulatory review processes for research involving human participants, laboratory animals, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, and other regulated research activities.
• Oversees post-approval monitoring, quality assurance activities, and program assessments to evaluate compliance and identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Directs investigations of allegations of noncompliance, protocol deviations, adverse events, animal welfare concerns, biosafety incidents, and other reportable events, including corrective actions and required institutional or regulatory reporting.
• Establishes program priorities, performance expectations, and operational objectives for assigned research compliance programs.
• Interprets federal regulations, agency guidance, and institutional policy, providing regulatory guidance to investigators, committee members, institutional officials, and University leadership.
• Develops, implements, and periodically evaluates policies, procedures, guidance documents, and standard operating procedures governing research compliance activities.
• Collaborates with institutional stakeholders including the Biological Safety Officer, Attending Veterinarian, Sponsored Programs Administration office, Environmental Health and Safety office, and legal counsel to identify compliance risks, develop institutional policy, and implement strategic initiatives.
• Leads institutional activities related to accreditation, inspections, audits, self-assessments, and external program reviews.
• Develops and delivers education and training programs that promote ethical conduct of research and regulatory compliance.
• Supervises research compliance personnel, including hiring, performance management, professional development, workload distribution, and resource allocation.
• Represents the University in interactions with regulatory agencies, accrediting organizations, sponsors, and professional organizations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director