Senior Research Compliance Officer

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

The Office of Research Compliance is within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and is part of Harvard University's Central Administration. The Office of Research Compliance is broadly responsible for oversight of the review, development, and implementation of policies related to research compliance activities across the University. The Office of Research Compliance works collaboratively with offices both in Central Administration and within the Schools to integrate and coordinate compliance requirements across the University toward the overall effort of managing potential risks.

The office also manages a number of University‑wide Committees and coordinates comments on regulatory issues (e.g. proposed new regulations by agencies) pertaining to research activities where institutional responses are warranted.

Reporting to the University Chief Research Compliance Officer, the Senior Research Compliance Officer (SRCO) is a highly skilled individual with in‑depth knowledge of most, and working knowledge of other, regulatory areas of research compliance. Under minimal guidance from the Chief Research Compliance Officer, the SRCO is capable of establishing effective research compliance policies, procedures, and guidelines, in accordance with the seven elements of an effective compliance program pursuant to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This requires examining regulatory requirements and working with the respective departments and schools, to assess an approach and lead the development and implementation of an exemplary compliance program. The SRCO represents the Office of the Vice Provost for Research on a number of university‑wide committees and is expected to engage at the national level, represent Harvard at national meetings and build national reputations.

Additionally, the individual will be responsible for the Provostial review of proposals meeting the criteria for such reviews; periodic review of existing policies and guidelines;
Research Security Program; and the development, initiation, maintenance, and revision of policies and procedures where needed for process improvement purposes and to further best practices.

The SRCO coordinates his/her assigned activities with Advisory Committees, Administrative units within the schools as well as central units.

To meet the needs of the Office of Research Compliance - and in addition to technical knowledge of the regulatory environment - coordination and communication are the key functions of the SRCO with regard to planning, implementing, and monitoring the compliance program. Specific research regulatory activities cover a wide range of topics such as Conflicts of Interest in research, Export Control, protection of Human Subjects in Research, Animal Care and Use programs, Research Security, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, Research Misconduct, Stem Cell Research, Research Data, and Privacy, International Research Compliance, etc.

The SRCO will work on any number of these topics by serving as the focal point for compliance activities and assignments, according to the program’s needs. The range of activities includes, but is not limited to:

• Developing institutional policies, procedures, guidelines, and programs that enable the conduct of research while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Developing, coordinating, and participating in a multifaceted educational and training program that focuses on the elements of the compliance program, and that seeks to ensure that all appropriate employees and managers are knowledgeable about pertinent policies and federal and state standards.
• Coordinating internal compliance review and monitoring activities, including periodic reviews of policies and programs.
• Participating in investigation of matters related to…