About Western Kentucky University: Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,035 students (29% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority, 1% international) and nearly 2,508 faculty and staff employees*.Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about .
Job Description: The Western Kentucky University Office of Research & Creative Activity is pleased to announce we are searching for an Assistant Director of Research Compliance. The Assistant Director of Research Compliance is responsible for ensuring that ethical and legal requirements are known and observed in the conduct of all research and sponsored program activity. In addition, this position serves as the liaison to the Associate Provost for Research, Office of Research and Creative Activity (ORCA) staff, faculty, and other campus stakeholders to keep the WKU community informed of changes to research ethics, compliance regulations, federal/state laws, and WKU policies.Duties:
- Provides training and technical assistance for the members of campus compliance committees (e.g., Institutional Review Board-IRB, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee-IACUC, Institutional Biosafety Committee-IBC). Develops and delivers training programs on research integrity, compliance requirements, and ethical conduct for researchers, staff, and students.
- Oversees all activities relating to vertebrate animal research (IACUC), human participants research (IRB) and biosafety research (IBC) compliance and ensures adherence to pertinent federal, state, and local regulations.
- Directs the IRB and IACUC review processes, ensuring that all human subjects and animal research protocols comply with federal regulations (e.g., 45 CFR 46, Animal Welfare Act) and University policies. Recruits, organizes, and maintains review committees.
- Collaborates with researchers to maintain ethical standards in human subjects and animal research. Identifies, monitors, and reports on adverse events. Maintains active compliance registrations with federal offices regarding committee authorizations, other research institutions, and research activities.
- Ensures compliance with federal Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) and Research Security requirements. Develops and updates institutional policies and procedures related to RECR/Research Security compliance. Develops and oversees the process of collecting, reviewing and assessing RECR/Research Security plans and training for researchers.
- Ensures compliance with federal and University regulations related to Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI). Updates and maintains institutional policies and procedures related to FCOI compliance. Oversees all University FCOI policies and procedures. Ensures timely and accurate reporting of FCOI to federal agencies and maintains comprehensive records.
- Reviews and provides guidance related to Export Controls for various contracts and research activities, including identifying compliance risks, information security requirements, and travel. Collaborates with other University units to ensure compliance and research security protocols are in place in shared laboratories and other research facilities.
- Implements and maintains a campus-wide policy for data management. Provides review of compliance concerns related to data management, particularly with regard to compliance with federal grant requirements and sponsored project agreements, and data use agreements relating to data received from third parties.
- Stays abreast of federal regulations (e.g., Code of Federal Regulations Title 45, 21, and 42), guidelines, and policies related to research integrity and compliance.
- Interprets and applies regulations from federal funding agencies related to research compliance, including financial disclosures, conflict of interest policies, and relevant procedures and policies related to proposal and award administration. Monitors changes in federal regulations and ensures timely updates.
- Conducts regular audits and review of research protocols, disclosures and training completions. Identifies and addresses compliance issues and recommends corrective actions. Prepares and submits required compliance reports to regulatory agencies.
- Oversees inquiries and investigations of reported research non-compliance and allegations of research misconduct. Documents and develops action plans for all non-compliance and research misconduct cases involving WKU faculty, staff, and students.
- Works with the Associate Provost for Research to ensure sufficient compliance protocols are in place to accommodate WKU's expanding research profile.
- Supervises the Compliance Manager and delegates responsibilities to the Compliance Manager as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements: - Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of five years of directly related professional experience working with research compliance and/or regulatory policies in a high research activity academic setting
- Experience supervising full-time employees.
- Knowledge of state and federal research compliance regulations.
- Knowledge of regulatory audits and facility inspections.
- Knowledge of human and animal research protocols and conflict of interest certifications.
- Competence in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Additional Information: Salary Range: $68,000 - $75,000Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Institutional Equity. To request an accommodation, report a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Ms. Ena Demir, Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator via email at ...@wku.edu or by phone at (270) ###-####. Ms. Demir is also responsible for coordinating the University's response to complaints related to sex and gender harassment. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's website.Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: For information related to job postings, please email ...@wku.edu .
Application Instructions: The following items must be submitted through this electronic talent management system:
You will receive email confirmation that your submission has been received. The candidate review process will generally begin as materials are received.