Director of Research Compliance

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Job Summary

Serving under the Associate Vice Provost for Research Policy and Compliance, directs the Research Compliance Program of the Institute to enable research at Caltech to be conducted in accordance with the highest standards of integrity in adherence and compliance with all federal, state, local, and Institute regulations. The Director shall provide management oversight to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the Human Embryo and Stem Cell Committee (HESC), the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), the Institute's Controlled Substances Program, and required training for researchers. They shall ensure Institute compliance with U.S. federal, California state, and local regulations governing the research overseen by these committees and other regulated research. They will also coordinate with the Associate Vice Provost for Research Policy and Compliance to maintain a robust, responsible conduct of research and research integrity program.

Essential Job Duties

• Directs, guides, and oversees the activities of the Institute research regulatory committees (IRB, IBC, IACUC, HESC, RSC), the Institute Controlled Substances Program, and the related Institute research training programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Supervises the IACUC, IRB/HESC, and IBC/RSC/Research Training Research Compliance Administrators.
• Coordinates with the Associate Vice Provost for Research Policy and Compliance to develop, modify, and implement Institutional policies and procedures along with strategic plans and objectives that have Institute-wide impact over Research Compliance.
• Guides and provides strategic direction and support to the Institutional Official for the research committees and aids in the preparation of reports to oversight agencies, renewals of assurances, and communications with accrediting organizations, as required.
• Oversees implementation of the electronic-based record system for Institute research regulatory committees and training records, with the aim of coordinating committee transparency and emphasis on inter-committee communication.
• In coordination with the Associate Vice Provost for Research Policy and Compliance, works with the Offices of Sponsored Research, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Research Security, General Counsel, and other Institutional stakeholders to ensure compliance with current regulations regarding research with human participants, animals, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids, radiation, and controlled substances.
• In coordination with the Associate Vice Provost for Research Policy and Compliance, establishes, communicates, and oversees an Institutional research training program; coordinates or conducts workshops and seminars regarding research with human participants, animals, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids, radiation, controlled substances, as well as responsible conduct of research and research integrity.
• Responsible for providing broad direction and coordinating research regulatory activities on campus to ensure consistency and enable compliant research.
• Responsible for decisions on hiring, promotions, salary changes, training, and performance evaluations of subordinate staff.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in a scientific, federal-funded organization.
• Advanced level of understanding of operational requirements related to the management and implementation of an IRB, IACUC, IBC, and HESC in a university setting.
• Advanced level of knowledge regarding U.S. federal and California state research regulations, including knowledge of such regulations as applicable to use of human or animal subjects, use of recombinant DNA, use of embryos and stem cells in research, and responsible conduct of research.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with persons at all levels of the Institute.
• Advanced level of organizational skills and independent decision-making ability.
• Effective team player with the ability to work well with people.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to supervise staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Hiring Range

$166,600 - $180,000 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at