Working Title: Research Compliance Specialist

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist I

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Office of Research Integrity (ORI)

Department: 100660 - Office of Research Integrity

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $49,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 7/8/2025

About JMU:

James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Research Compliance Specialist oversees and monitors the day-to-day human research protection program, provides human subjects research consultation, maintains professional development, conducts legacy data conversion, manages records, and provides training for the human subject research protection program. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies. They provide expertise on complex legal and regulatory matters that may affect university operations. They adhere to established protocols for compliance procedures, including compliance reporting and document review.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Planning:
o Performs initial intake and assessment of IRB submissions to ensure completeness, compliance, and coherence.
o Ensures timely completion of reviews in accordance with established standards.
o Manages protocol review activities, including notifications and verification of compliance with JMU’s policies and procedures.
o Plans and coordinates compliance review and follow-up activities.

• Strategic Initiatives:
o Assists the research community with the protocol submission process to improve user experiences.
o Performs moderately complex protocol evaluations, consulting with the team as needed.
o Processes comments, reviews, and evaluates responses.
o Points out deficiencies in policies, procedures, as well as guide and assist in drafting revisions.
o Responsible for pulling legacy data out of the previous electronic Research Administration (eRA) system for auditing purposes.
o Ensures compliance with federal regulations, the records management program in the Code of Virginia, and institutional policy of record management.
o Completes the Certificate of Records Destruction (RM-3 Form) and manages the destruction of records over 5 years old.
o Oversees and manages record-keeping and documentation systems.
o Serves as a backup system administrator for the eRA software system, assisting with technical support, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

• Communication and Collaboration:
o Ensures sensitive and confidential issues are concisely and properly communicated, negotiated, resolved and documented.
o Coordinates IRB meetings, including the preparation of Board meeting materials, taking detailed and accurate meeting minutes, and documenting determinations.
o Assists with the maintenance of IRB records, including electronic submission and review system support.
o Serves as a resource for faculty, staff, and students preparing applications to the IRB, providing guidance and advice on compliance issues and ethical considerations.
o Keeps current on federal, state, local, and other human subject research regulations and guidelines.
o Assists the Research Compliance Manager with the development and implementation of compliance training programs relevant to the human subject research program.
o Communicates professionally and efficiently with all levels of the organization.
o Attends team meetings and other seminars/workshops as required.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
• Experience in overseeing and monitoring human research protection programs.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local human subject research regulations and guidelines.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to perform complex protocol evaluations and manage compliance review activities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to serve as a resource for the research community.
• Proficiency in electronic research administration systems and data management.

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.