Program Manager, Research Accreditation and Policy - Office of the Vice President for Research

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

47d

About The Position

The Office of the Vice President for Research at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a Program Manager, Research Accreditation and Policy. The office supports research administration and policy across the university’s colleges, schools, centers, and institutes, helping ensure research is conducted in accordance with regulations and university policy. The position provides leadership and oversight for institutional human and animal research protection policies, accreditation activities, and post-approval monitoring programs. It helps ensure continuing compliance with federal regulations, accreditation standards, and institutional requirements for human subjects and animal research. The Manager works with research oversight committees and offices, including IRB, IACUC, Conflict of Interest (COI), and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), to develop and maintain policies, standard operating procedures, and guidance. The role also supports accreditation and reaccreditation project management and oversees post-approval monitoring to promote compliant, high-quality research.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Five years of experience in research, project management, program management, research compliance, and/or award management.
Experience in an academic setting and/or consulting.
Education paired with meaningful experience demonstrating comparable knowledge may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with IRB, IACUC, COI, and IBC professionals in an academic or consulting setting.
Experience and understanding of federal regulations, accreditation standards, and institutional requirements around academic research.

Responsibilities

Provide project management support for IRB and IACUC accreditation and reaccreditation, including preparation, documentation, and submissions.
Coordinate internal teams and stakeholders for accreditation self-assessments, site visits, and follow-up activities.
Track accreditation requirements, deadlines, and action items, and support ongoing accreditation readiness and post-accreditation compliance.
Develop, revise, and maintain research compliance policies, standard operating procedures, and guidance with IRB, IACUC, COI, and IBC leadership and staff.
Monitor changes in federal, state, and accreditation requirements and assess their impact on institutional policies and practices.
Draft policies and guidance to address evolving regulatory expectations and institutional practices.
Ensure policies and procedures are clear, consistent, and aligned across research oversight programs.
Manage and maintain research compliance content on institutional websites, keeping information current, accurate, and accessible.
Develop, implement, and manage the IRB post-approval monitoring program.
Design and oversee investigator self-assessment processes for compliance and quality improvement.
Facilitate on-site and remote post-approval monitoring visits, including scheduling, investigator communications, and document review.
Identify trends, concerns, and best practices through monitoring activities.
Prepare written reports and present findings and recommendations to the IRB and other appropriate stakeholders.
Serve as a liaison among research oversight committees, research administration offices, and institutional leadership on policy and accreditation matters.
Promote a culture of compliance, education, and continuous improvement in research oversight.
Participate in institutional committees, working groups, and training related to research compliance and accreditation.