University Director of Research Protections, Office of Research

Overview

The City University of New York (CUNY) seeks a University Director of Research Protections in the Office of Research (OR). As part of a single integrated system of 26 colleges and schools, the CUNY Office of Research provides leadership for University initiatives that build research capacity and advance scholarship. Through its four divisions, the Office of Research fosters collaborative and transdisciplinary research, supports commercialization and startup activities, and ensures compliance with research ethics and sponsored program administration. With an annual operating budget of more than $10 million, the Office of Research serves over 7,000 full-time and 11,000 part-time faculty across the University. In FY24, CUNY reported more than $700 million in research and sponsored project expenditures, reflecting substantial growth over the past decade. Several CUNY campuses are recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as top-tier research institutions, underscoring the University’s role as a leading and diverse public impact research institution.

Reporting to the University Executive Director for Research Integrity and Compliance, the University Director of Research Protections will manage CUNY’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), including oversight of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs); direct conflict of interest (COI) disclosure and review processes for sponsored projects; and provide leadership in related areas of research protections. The Director will partner with colleagues in Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC) on matters related to research misconduct and noncompliance, policy development, education, and quality improvement across all CUNY colleges and schools.

In addition to the CUNY Title Overview, key duties include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Oversee convened IRB processes and meetings; review submissions; facilitate discussions; and prepare and edit complex meeting minutes.
• Provide training and guidance to IRB members, HRPP Coordinators, and researchers on human subject protection regulations, policies, and ethics.
• Supervise RIC staff and provide mentorship and oversight for HRPP Coordinators at CUNY colleges.
• Serve as the primary liaison for IRB submission and review process improvements, including implementation of electronic platforms.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies and procedures governing human subjects research.
• Recruit and maintain relationships with external consultants, auditors, and subject matter experts as needed.
• Develop and evaluate best practices to strengthen IRB reliance agreement processes and oversight.
• Oversee Conflicts Committee processes, including preliminary disclosure reviews, meeting preparation, minutes, and conflict management plan development.
• Provide training and guidance to Conflicts Committee members, College Conflicts Officers, researchers, and other stakeholders on COI requirements.
• Collaborate with the University Executive Director of Research Integrity and Compliance on strategic planning and policy development.
• Partner with RIC colleagues to address potential research misconduct and noncompliance concerns; assist with audits; and support quality assurance and improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NOTE:

-Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM

Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required.

PREFERRED

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
• Certified IRB Professional (CIP), Certified IRB Manager (CIM), or other relevant professional certification.
• Extensive experience in research compliance and integrity, including IRB administration, conflict of interest, and oversight of social-behavioral and educational research.
• Expert knowledge of federal regulations, laws, ethical standards, and best practices governing research with human subjects and other areas.
• Demonstrated success providing training and guidance to stakeholders on regulatory compliance, and policy interpretation and application for research.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical abilities with attention to detail and precision.
• Effective interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills to collaborate with diverse faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and problem-solving mindset to address complex and sensitive issues.
• Proven commitment to public service, service excellence, inclusion, equity, ethics, and integrity to manage highly confidential and/or sensitive information and material discretely.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Excel, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint), Zoom, and electronic research administration platforms.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

• Directs the design, implementation, and maintenance of the university’s research compliance and integrity program and activities, and establishes protocols and procedures for training, policies, and monitoring compliance with applicable federal and state government, sponsor, and university policies regarding the responsible conduct of research across various areas.
• Promotes research compliance and integrity and administers any corrective measures mandated by regulatory authorities.
• Serves as a technical consultant and subject-matter expert to University and campus-based research offices, administrators, faculty, students, staff, and review boards, as well as external regulators and principal investigators on research compliance program responsibilities and obligations.
• Provides guidance and assistance regarding the interpretation and application of complex regulations and requirements involving research activities to resolve compliance issues.
• Manages research policies and programs, registrations/assurances, training, and reporting requirements.
• May serve as the university’s research integrity officer to administer the research misconduct policy and procedures, and investigate allegations of scientific, research, and/or other scholarly research misconduct and conflicts of interest.
• Provides and facilitates regular and comprehensive research compliance training to the university community.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $126,333 - $136,546 commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.

Salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.