LionSHIELD Specialist

Penn State University • University Park, IL

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

The LionSHIELD Specialist serves as an advanced Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) professional, playing a critical role in assessing, prioritizing, and managing information security and cybersecurity risk across the organization. This position combines strong technical expertise with regulatory knowledge to ensure compliance with government and industry standards. As a subject matter expert in risk and compliance, the LionSHIELD Specialist evaluates organizational operations and procedures to ensure they meet applicable regulatory and policy requirements. The position researches relevant federal, state, sponsor, and industry regulations on behalf of the enterprise, translates requirements for stakeholders, and supports the development of secure, compliant research practices. This role is primarily focused on research-related initiatives at Penn State, including LionSHIELD projects, Data Use Agreement (DUA) reviews, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews. Success in this position requires strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of information security frameworks, and the ability to translate regulatory requirements into actionable controls that support secure and compliant research operations.

Requirements

• Candidates must be US citizens to apply.
• Experience supporting research environments, higher education institutions, or regulated industries is necessary.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and interpreting Data Use Agreements (DUAs), contracts, or regulatory requirements.
• Experience conducting security reviews in support of Institutional Review Board (IRB) or research compliance processes.
• Strong knowledge of information security frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST CSF, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, ISO 27001).
• Familiarity with federal and regulatory requirements impacting research (e.g., CUI, HIPAA, FERPA, PCI).
• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Nice To Haves

• Relevant professional certifications preferred (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, Security+, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Support the LionSHIELD initiative at Penn State, including onboarding, offboarding, and ongoing compliance activities
• Review Data Use Agreements (DUAs) to: classify data appropriately, identify specific security and regulatory requirements, and determine approved data storage locations and controls
• Conduct IRB security reviews to define required safeguards and compliance obligations
• Develop, update, and maintain policies, standards, processes, and guidelines related to research security and compliance
• Monitor the evolving research regulatory landscape and communicate upcoming changes that may impact existing or future research activities
• Serve as a subject matter expert on research-related cybersecurity risk and compliance matters

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

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