Assistant Vice President for Research Integrity

Agency
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Department
Research and Innovation
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Corpus Christi, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description

TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54 foreign nations.

We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time Islanders (including students/GAs).

The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs.

As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member institutions and associated agencies.

TAMU-CCs beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews.

Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern, attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support facilities.
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PURPOSE

The Office of Research Integrity is an essential component of the Universitys research enterprise in the areas of human research protections, animal research oversight, research with biohazards, research misconduct and the very unique scientific diving program.

Reporting to the EVPRI, the Assistant Vice President for Research Integrity (AVPRI) is accountable for institutional compliance and implementation of best practices, serving a pivotal role in fostering a culture of research integrity within the TAMU-CC research community.

The AVPRI will be a facilitator who will help researchers determine which regulations, policies, and rules apply to their area of research.

They will understand the needs of established, high-level researchers, as well as those of faculty in the early stages of their research career, and assist them in knowing how to meet compliance requirements.

The AVPRI is ultimately responsible for the effectiveness of the Office of Research Integritys programs, as measured by TAMU-CCs ability to successfully conduct research under the high standards of compliance and protection of its human and animal subjects, sustain its national registration/assurance status and certification through policies and best practices, and maintain national and international recognition with funding agencies, peer institutions and other academic bodies.

The AVPRI leads an office that serves an extensive network of faculty, researchers, staff and students involved in social sciences, animal research, activities involving biohazards and scientific diving.

Aligned with the TAMU-CC Islander Impact 2030 Strategic Plan, the AVPRI will provide strategic direction and leadership to ensure the quality and ethical conduct of all research activities through the oversight of the following functions:

Provides guidance and programmatic vision to facilitate, nurture and safeguard a thriving research ecosystem.

Advises the EVPRI on a wide range of important institutional matters directly or indirectly linked to research compliance including strategic initiatives, communication and campus priorities.

Recommends and promulgates research compliance related policies and procedures and oversees their implementation.
Manages mission-supported research compliance offices that provide services of research compliance and administration, including:

Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Scientific Dive Board
Research Misconduct Program

Provides guidance and planning for achieving TAMU-CCs goal of becoming accredited for the human subjects protection program (AAHRPP) and the animal care program (AAALAC)

RESPONSIBILITIES
Research Compliance Leadership: 50%

Job Duties

Serves as the Universitys subject matter expert for research compliance areas and provides support for research compliance committees (IACUC, IBC, IRB, and Dive Control Board) including administrative review of protocols, meeting logistics, and meeting minutes.

Develops, directs, and implements research compliance programs

Oversees the review research protocols for compliance with IRB, IBC, IACUC, research misconduct regulations, and scientific diving regulations and requirements.

Oversees site visits and inspections to ensure adherence to protocols and compliance standards, and maintain accurate records of research protocols, reviews, and approvals.

Maintains efficient processes for reviewing and approving research protocols involving IRB, IBC, IACUC, and Dive Plans. Provide strategic vision for process improvement opportunities for research compliance operations.

Provides senior-level responsibility for budget, human resources, information technology, and facilities operations to ensure the programs maintain necessary resources to ensure compliance obligations are met.

Supervise assigned personnel, which includes hiring, work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluate performance and make recommendations for personnel actions.

Oversees the development and implementation of training for faculty, staff, and students in assigned research compliance areas. The AVPRI will have responsibility for the training program.

Communication with the campus on changes and updates to regulations and policies will be an important responsibility for the AVPRI.

Periodic instructional sessions for faculty, staff, and students will be offered to keep the campus fully informed on compliance and research integrity topics.

Develops and implements a process for investigating reports of research misconduct, ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and adherence to institutional policies including receiving, triaging, and investigating allegations, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and making recommendations for corrective actions or disciplinary proceedings.

Serves as TAMU-CC's Research Integrity Officer.

Maintains audit readiness and supports regulatory examinations and internal/external audit requests, including preparing materials, written reports and developing audit responses.

Maintains and updates a comprehensive database of research protocols, compliance training records, IRB/IBC/IACUC reviews and approvals, and research misconduct investigations.

Accountability for Institutional Compliance in Research: 30%
Job Duties

Achieves TAMU-CC's overall goals as informed by the TAMU-CC Islander Impact 2030 Strategic Plan for programs under the auspices of the Office of Research Integrity.

Maintains and communicates awareness of the external and internal regulatory landscape, new developments and standards, as well as opportunities for furthering improvements and user satisfaction; provides vision and leadership in change management.

Advises the EVPRI on highly complex proposed or final federal agency regulations and guidance and discerns crucial areas in which University input into federal rulemaking is needed and persuasively communicates the University's interests and concerns.

Advises the EVPRI on issues directly or indirectly related to research compliance programs, including resources necessary to adapt to changing a regulatory environment that directly impacts the way TAMU-CC faculty, students, and affiliated researchers conduct research projects within TAMU-CCs extensive research network.

In consultation with all relevant constituencies within the University, its affiliated entities, federal funding agencies, and regulatory agencies, guides policy development and represents the Office of Research Integrity in policymaking activities to ensure a robust research integrity program and to prevent noncompliance.

Participates and represents TAMU-CC at TAMU System Research Compliance meetings and initiatives.

Actively participates in the Departments mission to prevent, detect, and manage research compliance risk and promote a culture of compliance.

Oversees, and in consultation with senior administration, the University's responses to high-risk incidents of noncompliance in research and research misconduct; advises and leads systemic improvements to prevent recurrence.

Responsible for drafting and managing research compliance risk mitigation plan.
Leadership in Outreach and
External Communications: 15%
Job Duties

Builds relationships within and outside of the University to achieve the Universitys objective of strong institutional compliance throughout the research enterprise.

Manages mission-supported research compliance offices that provide services of research compliance and administration, including:

Collaborates with departmental units to integrate compliance requirements into business processes.

Collaborates with university leadership to review and update relevant university policies to ensure cohesiveness and consistency as well as to ensure compliance policies are being enforced.

Collaborates with other university offices across campus to address regulatory and compliance issues with overlapping oversight.

Communicates directly with federal agencies on behalf of the University to seek clarification and to advocate with tact and judgment for reasonable interpretation of regulations and guidance.

In sensitive cases of noncompliance, represents TAMU-CC and works directly with regulatory agencies to ensure remedial measures resolve the issues identified.

Fosters positive working relationships with stakeholders and serves as a resource when called upon for advice and consultations.

Establishes and maintains effective communication channels with investigators to address compliance concerns, provide guidance, and ensure timely resolution of issues.

Develops and maintains online resources to provide guidance and support to researchers on IRB, IBC, and IACUC processes including but not limited to user-friendly protocol templates and application guides, FAQs and other informational resources, and an updated website with clear instructions and deadlines.

Other: 5%

Job Duties
Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Masters degree (e.g., MA, MS, MPH)
Minimum of ten (10) years of related experience in progressive research regulatory management.
Five to seven (5-7) years of supervisory experience.

Extensive knowledge of research compliance regulations governing human subjects research, animal research and teaching, research misconduct and research with biohazards.

Demonstrated experience in managing research misconduct investigations, assurance renewals, and handling noncompliance matters.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Previous regulatory experience in university, research institutes, or similar research-intensive environments.
Demonstrated ability to comprehend complex scientific issues and specialized and/or technical jargon suitable for the general public.

Demonstrated the ability to exercise visionary leadership in overseeing an office whose functions are critical to the present and future research enterprise.

Ability to critically assess the University's research compliance programs and offer a compelling vision for the future. Demonstrated success at leading process improvement, systems initiatives, and organizational change.

Demonstrated the ability to handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, blending long-term projects with the urgency of immediate and critical demands.

Experience interacting with federal and state regulatory agencies.
Demonstrated computer skills and database management skills.

Demonstrated knowledge and use of technology to support research compliance (e.g., data management systems, collaboration tools, eLearning platforms, data analytics, reporting systems).

Demonstrated supervisory and team management skills. Strong interpersonal skills to effectively lead, motivate and influence others.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent collaborative, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, along with the ability to interact with a broad constituent population. Outstanding ability to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations.

WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE
Doctoral degree in the sciences or law (e.g., JD, MD, DVM, PhD, DrPH, PharmD)
At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in complex research and/or regulatory environments
Certified or eligible for certification as an IRB, IBC, IACUC Professional (e.g., CIP, CPIA)
Some knowledge of Dive Safety Operations
All positions are security-sensitive.

Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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