Human Subjects Research Specialist

Human Subjects Research Specialist

Office for the Protection of Research Subjects

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Are you interested in playing a role in the world-class research conducted at the University of Illinois? Do you have a good eye for detail and enjoy working on diverse tasks that require creative thinking? The Office for the Protection of Research Subjects is looking for a Human Subjects Research Specialist to assist the Institutional Review Board in its mission ensuring the ethical and legal conduct of human subjects research at Illinois.

The Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS), while performing administrative functions of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), serves as the official oversight office for human subject research at Illinois. To learn more, visit https://oprs.research.illinois.edu/.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

OPRS is hiring two Human Subjects Research Specialists that will be responsible for review, management, coordination and promotion of appropriate use and protection of human subjects in research and ensuring regulatory compliance and quality control.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management of IRB Protocols

• Ensure compliance with specialized federal regulations for research activities (for example, FDA, HIPAA, FERPA, DHHS/OHRP).
• Ensure researchers are complying with institutional policies and procedures. Manage the review and approval process for IRB submissions. Understand and apply University, state and federal regulations related to human subject research.
• Communicate with the IRB and the research team regarding stipulations and determinations.
• Process agreements related to protocols including MOUs, individual and institutional authorization agreements.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for inquiries from Campus faculty, staff, and students regarding the IRB policy and procedure, and for IRB protocol preparation. Subject matter expertise includes knowledge of human research ethical foundations, federal and state regulations and requirements for human subject research.
• Assist in group meetings with researchers needing additional assistance.

Administration/Recordkeeping

• Assist in the preparation of Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) documents. Maintain detailed and accurate records about protocols and protocol reviews (especially federal record management).
• Attend IRB meetings, document stipulations, discussions, votes, and quorum.

Communication and Outreach

• Serve as resource for investigators, students, and administrators regarding human subject research compliance. Advise investigators and others regarding federal regulations and institutional policies and procedures.
• Regularly communicate with investigators regarding research compliance and best practices. Provide IRB training to research community and IRB members.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; in a scientific, engineering or healthcare administrative discipline required. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted based upon the nature and depth of the research experience as it relates to this position.
• Experience demonstrating highly effective communications skills and ability to work on multiple projects.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Effective communication, organization, and personal relation skills. Willingness to work as a productive team member in an office environment. Ability to multi-task and manage multiple tasks. Deadline driven while maintaining attention to detail. Proficiency with commonly used software and ability to become proficient with applicable databases and online systems ability.

SALARY AND APPOINTMENT INFORMATION: This is a full time, benefits-eligible academic professional position. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION: To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu, directly apply to our position and upload your cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references as a single PDF document by January 31, 2022. Full consideration will be given to complete applications received by the closing date.

For questions regarding the application process, please call Illinois Human Resources at 217-333-2137. For further information on this specific position, please contact Leslie Lewin Reinhart at lewin@illinois.edu.

University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.