IRB Administrator

About the position The Office of Research Integrity supports the Rice research community’s highest standards of research integrity and scholarly excellence. The office partners with faculty, staff, and students to foster an innovative and productive research environment within an appropriate ethical, legal, and professional framework. Through collaboration, education, and administrative support, the office helps ensure research activities are conducted responsibly and in compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Administrator, under general supervision, administers basic IRB protocol activities, including submissions, reports, renewals, and revisions, to support oversight responsibilities related to human research protections. The IRB Administrator ensures compliance with applicable government and institutional regulations while supporting an active workflow for compliance committee reviews. We are seeking a detail‑oriented professional with a background in compliance or lab environments who views regulatory oversight as a collaborative partnership. The ideal candidate excels at navigating the intersection of academic innovation and federal requirements, offering clear guidance to university stakeholders. Success in this role requires the ability to manage competing deadlines with composure and a desire to assist in shaping policies that keep the university at the forefront of ethical research.

Responsibilities

• Conducts initial administrative completeness checks on routine submissions, ensuring all required approvals, recruitment materials, and consent documents are included prior to review
• Evaluates exempt protocols for regulatory compliance through in‑depth reviews of key study elements and consults with research personnel to refine protocols for compliance
• Serves as the first point of contact for the IRB help desk, assisting researchers with basic navigation of the online protocol management system and general questions
• Maintains electronic business records to verify compliance with federal or accreditation inspections
• Assists in the preparation of after‑action reports, program reviews, and federal reports for the compliance program
• Follows up on post‑approval issues; prepares correspondence; takes notes on discussions or actions during compliance meetings
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Supports research compliance administration functions, including auditing support, records management, communications, and involvement in special projects
• Supports departmental initiatives in a team‑based environment

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1 year of related experience (e.g., working in research compliance, experience with human research projects, research project management, sponsored programs administration)
• In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis may be substituted.
• Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to spot inconsistencies in complex forms and documents
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to quickly learn specialized database software
• Ability to handle sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and professional decorum
• Ability to work independently and within a small team environment
• Superior customer service orientation with demonstrated initiative, judgment, creativity, and problem‑solving skills
• Initiative to identify and implement business process improvements

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or public health
• Interest in pursuing the Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification or Certification in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC) once eligible
• Familiarity with human ethics and compliance frameworks (e.g., Belmont Report, the Common Rule)

Benefits

• Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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