Research Compliance Officer

Overview

Founded in 1890, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the largest division of Harvard University. FAS is dedicated to being at the forefront of teaching and learning and fostering cutting-edge research and discovery. FAS is redefining liberal arts education for the 21st century and is committed to making a Harvard education accessible to students from all backgrounds.

The Research Administration Services (RAS) office at FAS is currently undergoing a significant transformation to become a networked organization capable of keeping up with the rapidly evolving field of research administration. This bold initiative aims to establish a more coherent and agile administrative infrastructure that promotes the diversity of FAS research and our research community through integrity, ethics, outreach, and engagement. The success of this endeavor is paramount in enabling us to continue to advance FAS’ research goals and make an exceptional impact on the world. 

Achieving success in research and research administration demands diversity. RAS is fully committed to cultivating a culture that values and celebrates unique qualities stemming from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and career paths. Our networked transformation is centered on setting expectations and providing guidelines that foster an inclusive administrative community, recognizing diversity as a crucial strength for success.

The Research Compliance Officer for Research Administration Services is a curious, effective communicator with a thirst for knowledge and investigative instincts. The ideal incumbent is also analytical and able to navigate a complex environment with a quickly changing landscape, often with competing priorities. At times with minimal guidance, and other times in partnership with others within the organization and/or faculty/students at the university, they will guide, inform, and/or support the research community on pre- and post-award compliance matters related to sponsored projects. They will support leadership in the development and implementation of an exemplary compliance program for the research community under RAS’ purview. This successful candidate is agile, sincerely appreciates the significance of diversity in research and academia, and is a forward thinker who is flexible in a hybrid environment.

Brief Description of Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance, information, and/or support of various functional areas of research compliance and sponsored research including but not limited to:
  • federal regulations and guidelines
  • sponsored terms and conditions
  • export control
  • international collaborations
  • conflict of interest
          
• Support the development of processes/procedures related to various functional areas of research compliance, for various end-users in the research community
• Support/assist in reporting and analysis of compliance oversight matters
• Provide support for:
  • Internal audit
  • External audit
     
• Act as a liaison between local and university-wide compliance departments
• Participate on various committees and task forces related to sponsored project compliance
• Represent the department at various meetings and conferences (both internally and externally)

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or 5 years of work experience required (education may substitute for some years of work experience)
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in three or more of the following areas: export control, contracts and grants in research, sponsored projects, research administration, data management, international collaborations, and other research compliance-related areas  

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Dedicated collaborator
• Strong Communicator
• Working comfort with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, Teams
• Comfort working in a hybrid/fully remote environment
• Ability to pivot in an actively changing environment

Working Conditions:​  Work is performed in an office setting in a hybrid office environment.

For this role, there is an on-campus presence requirement of a minimum of 2 days per week (anchor days), with the expectation that all staff afforded hybrid flexibility also be available to come to campus more often to meet business needs.  This requirement is subject to change.​​​​​