Standards Specialist, Research Data Governance & Compliance - Division of Informatics

Job Description Summary

The Standards Specialist, Research Data Governance & Compliance will serve as a subject-matter expert in research data governance and compliance, supporting the Pennsieve platform and related initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania. The role provides guidance to investigators and project teams on IRB protocols, HIPAA, and regulatory requirements as they relate to data management and sharing, including multi-site and multi-institutional studies.

This position leads the development and implementation of best practices for research data governance, including data curation, metadata standards, and lifecycle management. The individual collaborates with internal teams and external partners to define and implement Common Data Elements (CDEs) and contributes to broader data standardization and interoperability efforts.

The Standards Specialist advises collaborators on data sharing strategies, including Data Use Agreements (DUAs) and governance frameworks, and works with NIH programs and research consortia to align platform capabilities with evolving compliance expectations. The role also supports onboarding of new projects to the platform.

As a senior member of the program team, the Standards Specialist provides guidance to project managers, oversees complex cross-functional initiatives, and partners with technical and scientific teams to ensure alignment between regulatory requirements and platform capabilities. The position also contributes to continuous improvement of data governance practices and institutional strategy for scalable, compliant research data ecosystems.

Job Responsibilities

• Research Compliance & Regulatory Oversight:
  • Serve as a subject-matter expert on IRB protocols, HIPAA, and research compliance as they relate to data management and sharing on the Pennsieve platform.
  • Guide investigators and project teams in the development and execution of compliant data workflows.
  • Advise on regulatory considerations for multi-site and multi-institutional studies.
• Data Governance & Standards:
  • Lead development and implementation of best practices for research data governance, including data cleaning, curation, metadata, and lifecycle management.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to define and implement Common Data Elements (CDEs) and data standards.
  • Contribute to national and consortium-level efforts to advance data standardization and interoperability.
• External Partnerships & Data Sharing:
  • Provide expertise to external collaborators on data sharing strategies, including Data Use Agreements (DUAs), data transfer protocols, and governance frameworks.
  • Interface with NIH programs and other research consortia to align platform capabilities with evolving compliance and data sharing expectations.
  • Support onboarding of new projects and partners to the Pennsieve platform.
• Program Leadership & Coordination:
  • Serve as a senior member of the program management team, providing guidance and mentorship to project managers.
  • Oversee complex, multi-project initiatives involving data integration, compliance, and infrastructure development.
  • Partner with technical, scientific, and operational teams to ensure alignment between regulatory requirements and platform capabilities.
• Strategy & Continuous Improvement:
  • Identify gaps in current data governance and compliance workflows and drive improvements.
  • Help shape institutional and platform-level strategy for scalable, compliant research data ecosystems.
  • Stay current with evolving regulatory frameworks, NIH policies, and best practices in research data management.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required and 5-7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required; Master's or advanced degree in biomedical informatics, public health, data science, or related field preferred
• 5-7 years of experience in research program management, data governance, or research compliance in an academic, clinical, or biomedical research environment
• Demonstrated experience working with IRB protocols, HIPAA regulations, and data sharing frameworks

Skills & Expertise

• Deep understanding of research data lifecycle, including curation, metadata standards, and data integration
• Experience with Data Use Agreements (DUAs), data sharing policies, and multi-institutional collaborations
• Familiarity with NIH-funded programs and expectations around data sharing and standardization
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with experience overseeing or mentoring project managers
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work across technical, clinical, and administrative stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Common Data Elements (CDEs) and data standardization initiatives
• Familiarity with cloud-based research platforms and modern data infrastructure
• Experience supporting large-scale collaborative research programs or consortia

The position is contingent upon grant funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$79,500.00 - $95,000.00 Annual Rate