"Senior Director, Research Security"

Job Description

The Office of Research Support and Compliance (ORSC) at The University of Texas at Austin ensures compliance with laws, regulations, and policies for research involving human subjects, animal research, biohazardous agents, financial conflicts of interest, and research integrity.

UT Austin offers benefits including 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage, retirement contributions, paid vacation, sick time, and holidays. Visit the Human Resources website for more details.

Purpose

The Senior Director, Research Security reports to the Associate Vice President for Research Support and Compliance and manages research security aspects including export control, mitigation of undue foreign influence, and compliance with controlled unclassified information. This role aligns with federal and state requirements, advises on policy development, and implements risk mitigation strategies to protect university personnel, programs, data, and intellectual property.

Responsibilities

• Research Security Program Oversight: Maintain a robust program to identify and mitigate risks of foreign influence, meeting requirements like NSPM-33 and CHIPS and Science Act. Advise leadership on regulations and best practices, develop policies, lead the International Collaboration and Review Committee, provide guidance on security and collaborations, conduct investigations, serve on committees, oversee risk assessments, collaborate on employee screening, partner with Sponsored Projects, oversee training, establish KPIs, and serve as contact with external entities.
• Restricted Research and Export Compliance: Maintain expertise in export control regulations, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC. Supervise the export control officer, collaborate with technology and security offices to implement programs, assess projects for compliance, and develop technology and security plans.
• Leadership: Mentor and supervise staff, foster engagement, and facilitate team communication.
• External Engagement: Participate in organizations, attend conferences to stay current on regulations and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree and five years of experience in research or national security, or bachelor’s degree and seven years of experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of foreign counterintelligence and experience in investigating threats.
• Working knowledge of export control and CMMC requirements, with ability to apply them in a university setting.
• Five years of progressive leadership and supervisory experience.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a federal Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to apply national security risk assessments and data protection in a collaborative university environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of grants and contracting policies related to research and data security.
• Experience with federal sponsors like DoD, NSF, NIH.
• Experience in managing change and quality improvement.
• Understanding of risks in a large research enterprise.

Salary Range

OPEN

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard.
• Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work.
• Occasional travel.

Required Materials

Resume/CV, 3 work references (at least one from a supervisor), and letter of interest.