Executive Director, Research Integrity and Ethics

Summary:

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation’s mission is to foster transformative research, discovery and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity and scholarship. Our commitment has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities. OVPRI link https://research.vcu.edu/

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation invites candidates to apply for an exciting opportunity as the Executive Director, Research Integrity and Ethics. (Job Family - Legal, Audit & Compliance, Job Title - Sr. Administrator 3, Job Code - 25914-25916).

The Executive Director of Research Integrity and Ethics serves as the Research Integrity Officer (RIO), and is responsible for implementation of the institution’s policies and procedures for addressing allegations of scholarly and research misconduct. The RIO serves in an ex officio capacity during all phases of the misconduct process. The RIO interacts with federal agencies as appropriate and provide timely reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation as well as other relevant university leadership, as needed, regarding received allegations, assessment, investigation and final resolution. Develop and implement training and materials relevant to research integrity through workshops, website, presentations, and other venues as appropriate. Direct the Responsible Conduct of Research program, including teaching a 1 credit course every semester for students, trainees, and early career faculty. Promote university-wide RCR awareness and education resources. Establish Management Plans as determined by the COIC or through expedited disposition, communicate with OVPRI entities. Promote adherence to financial conflict of interest policy and federal regulations by interacting directly with researchers to review relationships between their VCU institutional responsibilities and their outside professional activities, industry and business interests, etc. Develop and direct the institutional conflict of interest program for research. Assist the HRPP and ACUP, as appropriate, to maintain accreditation of VCU’s human subjects (AAHRPP) and animal subjects (AAALAC) research programs. Maintain active involvement and prominent positions in relevant national organizations, such as PRIM&R, ARIO, AAMC FOCI-A, and AAHRPP. The Director’s primary role and responsibilities involve the following: 1) Direct the COI in Research Program which includes individual and institutional COI; Chair and direct the activities of the Conflict of Interest Committee. 2 ) Serve as VCU’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO). 3) Develop, coordinate and instruct the Responsible Conduct of Research academic-credit curriculum for university students and trainees; develop university wide RCR content. 4) Develop and deliver training and education programs involving research integrity for university-wide and academic classroom settings. 5) Function in a support and/or advisory capacity regarding matters of research integrity within the OVPRI and university-wide; provide research ethics consultation for investigators, research personnel, the IRB and other entities.

Minimum Hiring Requirements:

Minimum of Master’s degree preparation in a STEM, health care, or bioethics
field. Minimum of five years’ experience in research compliance administration and/or applied bioethics experience is required. Experience in working with and teaching individuals with varied backgrounds about issues in research ethics and integrity. Working knowledge of operational requirements related to the management and implementation of compliance committees/organizations. Ability to handle complex and highly sensitive information and material. Knowledge of scientific and medical concepts and terminology. University experience preferred. The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Requirements:

Seven or more years of experience in research compliance administration and/or applied bioethics experience is required. Ph.D. or comparable preferred.

Additional Information:

All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays and more.

Explore our robust benefit package here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/
In a world of the common, we are the UNCOMMON and UNSTOPPABLE . It's innovation at work. VCU is nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, a place of opportunity where your success is supported and your career can thrive, and more than 300,000 strong.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience to $170,000


Department: Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Job Family: Legal, Audit & Compliance - 25914 - 25916
Restricted Status: Yes
Exemption Status: Exempt
ORP Eligible: Yes
FTE: 1