"Human Subjects Research Coordinator / Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator"

Human Subjects Research Coordinator / Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator

Company:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Job Location:
Urbana, 61820

Category:
Sponsored Programs, Grants, and Contracts

Type:
Full-Time

Office for Protection of Research Subjects

The Human Subjects Research Coordinator position may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement dependent with unit operational needs.

The Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator position will be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement but will require regular presence on campus in Urbana-Champaign.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.

Are you interested in playing a role in the world-class research conducted at the University of Illinois? Do you have a good eye for detail and enjoy working on diverse tasks that require creative thinking? The Office for the Protection of Research Subjects is looking for a Human Subjects Research Coordinator / Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator to assist the Institutional Review Board in its mission ensuring the ethical and legal conduct of human subjects research at Illinois.

The Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS), while performing administrative functions of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), serves as the official oversight office for human subject research at Illinois. To learn more, visit https://oprs.research.illinois.edu.

OPRS is hiring two Human Subjects Research Coordinators / Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinators that will be responsible for review, management, coordination and oversight of appropriate use and protection of human subjects in research and ensuring regulatory compliance and quality control.

Duties & Responsibilities

Human Subjects Research Coordinator

• Management of IRB Protocol
  • Coordinate the review and approval process for IRB protocol submissions.
  • Review IRB protocol applications for accuracy, clarity, validity, and completeness; determine actions to be taken and provide a written report for each protocol assessment including specific findings and recommendations for further actions necessary for institutional compliance and/or to initiate quality improvements.
  • Ensure researchers are complying with federal regulations (for example, FDA, HIPAA, FERPA, DHHS/OHRP), with institutional policies and procedures, and with state regulations for and related to human subject research.
  • Develop recommendations for policy and procedure improvements and updates to reduce investigator burden and improve business process efficiency.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for inquiries from Campus faculty, staff, and students regarding the IRB policy and procedure, and for IRB protocol preparation. Subject matter expertise includes knowledge of human research ethical foundations, federal and state regulations and requirements for human subject research.
  • Review and process through approval more than minimal risk new protocol applications
  • Process MOUs, Individual Authorization Agreements and Institutional Authorization Agreements and manage permanent records of these agreements and other collaborative research (e.g., Carle IRB).
  • Assist in group meetings with researchers needing additional assistance.
• Administration & Recordkeeping
  • Coordinate preparation of Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) documents and maintain detailed and accurate records about protocols and protocol review and approval.
  • Ensure OPRS documentation, spreadsheets, and tracked data are current, accurate, and complete.
  • Coordinate IRB committee meetings and meeting documentation.
  • Draft stipulations for minimal and more than minimal risk protocols, meeting minutes, and communication with investigators.
  • Develop and document standard operating procedures related to regulations and business practices for IRB members and OPRS staff.
• Communication & Outreach
  • Deliver presentations to the research community on campus on human subject research matters.
  • Assist in composing IRB newsletters and emails for the IRB list serve.
  • Assist investigators with registration of protocols in clinicaltrials.gov.

Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator

• Management of IRB Protocol
  • Conducts initial review of human research protocol applications including reviewing all amendments and determining the level of risk to ensure compliance with appropriate regulations, Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines and institutional policies.
  • Approves deviations from policy, clarifies special conditions and analyzes differences from initial protocol applications.
  • Ensure researchers are complying with federal regulations (for example, FDA, HIPAA, FERPA, DHHS/OHRP), with institutional policies and procedures, and with state regulations for and related to human subject research.
  • Develop recommendations for policy and procedure improvements and updates to reduce investigator burden and improve business process efficiency.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for inquiries from Campus faculty, staff, and students regarding the IRB policy and procedure, and for IRB protocol preparation. Subject matter expertise includes knowledge of human research ethical foundations, federal and state regulations and requirements for human subject research.
  • Review and process through approval more than minimal risk new protocol applications.
  • Process MOUs, Individual Authorization Agreements and Institutional Authorization Agreements and manage permanent records of these agreements and other collaborative research (e.g., Carle IRB).
  • Coordinate preparation of Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) documents and maintain detailed and accurate records about protocols and protocol review and approval.
  • Develop and document standard operating procedures related to regulations and business practices for IRB members and OPRS staff.
• Committee Meeting Management
  • Coordinates and attends review committee meetings. Prepares meeting agendas and materials. Records ethical issues discussed and ensures accurate documentation of final committee determinations.
  • Composes clear, concise and detailed correspondence to principal investigators to ensure that committee concerns, questions and rationale are appropriately communicated to researchers.
  • Evaluates investigator's responses to determine if they are adequate and if additional information is needed.
  • Assigns studies for review to IRB members based on member's expertise and resolves questions or concerns that arise during the review.
• Post Approval Monitoring & Outreach
  • Conducts audits and post-approval monitoring of human subject research projects. Creates and recommends improvements for tools to assess compliance.
  • Meets with members of research staff to address process and procedure improvements.
  • Deliver presentations to the research community on campus on human subject research matters.
  • Assist in group meetings with researchers needing additional assistance.
  • Assist investigators with registration of protocols in clinicaltrials.gov.

Required Qualifications

Human Subjects Research Coordinator

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering or healthcare administrative discipline required. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted based upon the nature and depth of the research experience as it relates to this position.
• Eligible and willing to become certified by Council of IRB Professionals (CIP).
• Four years of experience with human subject research administration and compliance.
• Experience working within a research extensive, University environment.

Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, or healthcare administration-related field required. Comparable degree fields may be considered based on the relevance and depth of prior research experience.
• Must be eligible and willing to obtain certification through the Council of IRB Professionals (CIP).
• Minimum of six years of experience in human subjects research administration and compliance within a research-intensive university environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Human Subjects Research Coordinator

• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively, both independently and as a team member, with a professional demeanor in a fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and change priorities, under minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Organizational skills that involve juggling multiple responsibilities, prioritizing projects, and managing deadlines.
• Ability to incorporate knowledge gained from access to continuing professional development opportunities.
• Proven knowledge to interpret University, state, and federal regulations and policies as they pertain to human subject research.

Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator

• Proven knowledge to interpret University, state, and federal regulations and policies as they pertain to human subject research.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively, both independently and as a team member, with a professional demeanor in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and change priorities, under minimal supervision.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Organizational skills that involve juggling multiple responsibilities, prioritizing projects, and managing deadlines.
• Ability to incorporate knowledge gained from access to continuing professional development opportunities.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $60,000 to $66,000 at the Human Subjects Research Coordinator level and $66,000 to $75,000 at the Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator level. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, resume, and names/contact information (including phone number and email address) for three professional references. Incomplete applications and applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Cierra Bough at cierra@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.