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Assistant Vice President for Research Security



Special Instructions to Applicants : All interested applicants must attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application in a PDF format . Please note that the applicant tracking system does not convert attachments in Word format successfully.

Summary

Responsibility. Integrity. Community. Excellence. Driven by Rice’s core values, the Offices of Research and Innovation are poised to lead a transformative effort that will elevate this AAU institution’s research programs into a position of global prominence.

Reporting jointly to the Vice President for Research and Vice President for Innovation, the Assistant Vice President for Research Security will help Rice realize this ambitious goal by identifying, developing, and implementing strategies to meet Rice’s security objectives that relate to research, international collaborations, and commercialization activities.

The AVP will also be responsible for identifying and mitigating research security threats; serving as a trusted resource to Rice’s leadership, faculty, and community of scholars; and engaging constructively with government officials and external advisory boards.

Essential Functions
  • Lead the strategy and implementation of Rice’s research security efforts.
  • Together with the Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance, coordinate Rice’s efforts to promote international research collaborations and comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidance (e.g., NSPM-33).
  • Together with the Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance , lead Rice’s Research Security Program Working Group, in particular to address the certification requirement for research security programs in the Implementation Guidance for NSPM-33.
  • Conduct risk assessments, implement continuous monitoring processes, and perform internal inquiries to promote research security and legal compliance.
  • Monitor external threats, triage research security issues of reputational significance, and proactively and reactively manage individual research security matters.
  • Develop and provide training and outreach to promote research security.
  • Collaborate with Rice departments, research-related committees, and administrative offices, including the Office of the Provost, Office of General Counsel, and Chief Information Security Officer.
  • Avidly engage with academic and non-academic units to understand research security threats; ensure that grant applications and international agreements feature best practices with respect to research security; and implement practical, collaborative solutions.
  • Draft and socialize relevant policies and procedures.
  • Advise Rice leadership on related trends and enforcement activities affecting the research enterprise, including those involving international activities.
  • Serve as point of contact with federal and state authorities on matters involving research security.
  • Immediately report material research security concerns to the Vice President for Research, the Vice President for Innovation, the Chief Compliance Officer, and other applicable leaders.
  • Obtain and maintain the level of security clearance from the U.S. government that is appropriate to Rice’s research security needs.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
  • At least 7 years of professional experience related to research security or national security within a research university, government agency, or similarly complex entity.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the geo-political context of research and innovation, cyber security, intellectual property, and data governance.
  • The intellectual acumen and communication skills to facilitate credibility and foster trust with a diverse, international range of stakeholders, including university leadership, faculty, staff, and scholars.
  • Experience conducting internal and/or external compliance-related investigations within a U.S. research university, government agency, or similarly complex entity.
  • Experience working with members of a senior leadership team on organization-wide matters and collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
  • Experience drafting reports, providing training, and issuing recommendations to a range of audiences, including senior leadership.
  • Ability to work on confidential and sensitive matters with tact and discretion.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate level of security clearance from the U.S. government.
  • Ability to work independently or in a team setting, with diverse individuals.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master’s degree, J.D., or their equivalents from an accredited university.
  • Professional experience in a research university; international, federal, or state law enforcement agency; or other similarly complex and regulated entity.
  • Experience developing and implementing research security policies and procedures related to research security.
  • Established network of contacts in academic institutions and/or government agencies.
  • Deep and broad knowledge of academic research programs, including an understanding of sponsored research funding and obligations.
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies

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