Bachelor's degree with 5+ years in research administration or compliance-related fields.
Experience in a university or heavily regulated research environment preferred.
Juris Doctorate or master's degree is a plus.
Certification such as CCEP or CHRC is preferred.
Strong understanding of federal, state, and institutional research regulations.
Responsibilities
Ensure compliance with research regulations and policies.
Conduct risk assessments and compliance reviews.
Support investigations and issue resolution related to research compliance.
Develop and maintain research compliance policies and procedures.
Provide training and consultative support to faculty and staff.
Prepare reports and documentation for compliance monitoring.
Collaborate with various departments and external partners to enhance compliance programs.
Benefits
Hybrid work arrangement with onsite presence as needed.
Opportunity for regular remote work based on departmental needs.
Professional development opportunities in compliance and research.
Supportive work culture promoting responsible research conduct.
Full Job Description
Description
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Senior Research Compliance Specialist ensures institutional compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and university research regulations and policies.
This role conducts compliance reviews and risk assessments, supports investigations and issue resolution, provides training and guidance, and contributes to the development and continuous improvement of research compliance programs.
The position partners closely with faculty, research staff, and central administration to promote a strong culture of compliance and responsible research conduct.
Senior Research Compliance Specialists may be assigned one or more regulatory specializations based on institutional needs.
These specializations define the primary regulatory focus and required subject-matter expertise for the role, such as research integrity, controlled substances, research cybersecurity, or research security.
Conducts risk-based reviews, audits, and monitoring of research activities to assess compliance with applicable regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies.
Supports and manages investigations and issue resolution related to research compliance, including documentation, analysis, reporting, and corrective and preventive actions.
Develops, implements, and maintains research compliance policies, procedures, guidance, and operational tools.
Provides training, education, and consultative support to faculty, research staff, and administrators on research compliance requirements.
Prepares reports, metrics, and documentation to support compliance monitoring, program evaluation, and leadership reporting.
Maintains accurate and secure program records and ensures the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.
Collaborates with departments, committees, central offices, and external partners (e.g., IT, vendors) to support research compliance programs and enterprise systems.
Contributes to continuous improvement of research compliance programs and promotes a positive culture of compliance and responsible research conduct.
Performs related responsibilities as required.
ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS:
Work Arrangement / Location Requirement
Hybrid position requiring regular onsite presence based on departmental business needs.
Candidates must reside in the State of Georgia and be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule.
Candidates seeking a fully remote position may not be a match for this opportunity.
Regulatory Specialization
The Senior Research Compliance Specialist may be assigned one or more regulatory specializations based on institutional needs.
Regulatory specializations define the primary regulatory domain and subject-matter expertise required for the role and do not change the underlying job classification.
Export Control
Leads Emory's institutional export control and sanctions compliance program, ensuring compliance with U.S. export regulations (ITAR, EAR, and OFAC) and overseeing export-related risk management across the research enterprise.
Conducts export control reviews and licensing determinations, including restricted party screening, deemed export analyses, end-use/end-user reviews, export classifications, license applications, and development of technology control plans.
Provides training, guidance, and consultation to faculty, staff, and students on export controls, international collaborations, international travel, shipping, restricted research, and research security requirements.
Monitors compliance and mitigates risk, collaborating with campus partners to assess export control risks, implement corrective actions, support investigations, update policies and procedures, and maintain institutional compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree and five years of experience in research administration, research compliance, internal audit, legal, audit, or a related field.
Experience in a university or research environment involving heavily regulated industries preferred.
Juris Doctorate or master's degree and Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC), or similar certification preferred.
NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.
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About Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. The university was founded in 1836 as Emory College and has since grown into a leading research institution with nine academic divisions. Emory University is known for its liberal arts college, professional schools, and biomedical research. The university has a diverse student body and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Emory University is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the United States and is a member of the Association of American Universities.
