Job Summary:

The Assistant Vice Provost for Research Compliance provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and institutional guidance for research compliance, research security, and research integrity across the University research enterprise. This position oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of compliance programs supporting human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, export controls, research security, conflict of interest, research misconduct, responsible conduct of research, and related regulatory and ethical research obligations. The AVP serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, faculty, and research administrators while advancing a culture of integrity, accountability, service, and responsible research conduct in alignment with TCU’s strategic research growth goals.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

1. Provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for institutional research compliance and regulatory affairs programs, including IRB, IACUC, IBC, conflict of interest, export controls, research security, research integrity, and responsible conduct of research programs.
2. Develops and implements institutional policies, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations governing research activities.
3. Leads institutional efforts related to research security, export control compliance, and evolving federal requirements including NSPM-33, CHIPS and Science Act requirements, EAR (Export Administration Regulations), ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), CUI (Confidential Unclassified Information), OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), and sponsor disclosure obligations.
4. Serves as a senior institutional advisor to the Vice Provost for Research, deans, faculty, and university leadership on research compliance, regulatory risk, and strategic research initiatives.
5. Provides oversight of research compliance committees and associated administrative operations, ensuring timely protocol review, regulatory guidance, training, and monitoring activities.
6. Collaborates closely with Sponsored Programs, Research Contracts, Institutional Compliance, Environmental Health & Safety, Information Security, and other university offices to support compliant and efficient research administration.
7. Leads development and delivery of research compliance education and outreach programs for faculty, staff, students, and research personnel.
8. Oversees institutional responses to allegations of research misconduct, noncompliance, and regulatory investigations in collaboration with university leadership and legal counsel.
9. Develops operational metrics, dashboards, risk assessments, and reports related to institutional research compliance and research integrity activities.
10. Supports institutional growth in externally funded research by developing scalable compliance infrastructure and faculty-centered research support processes.
11. Represents the University with federal agencies, sponsors, professional organizations, and peer institutions on matters related to research compliance, security and integrity.
12. Maintains awareness of evolving federal regulations, sponsor expectations, and national trends impacting research compliance operations.
13. Executes research compliance recommendations provided by external third-party advisors based on current status of TCU processes of protected data and information.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, research compliance, regulatory affairs, research compliance contracts, or related higher education administration.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing research compliance programs, committees, or administrative units within a complex research environment.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal regulations related to human subjects research, animal research, biosafety, export controls, research security, conflict of interest, and research integrity.
• Experience advising senior leadership and collaborating across academic, administrative, and legal functions.
• Experience developing policies, operational frameworks, and scalable compliance infrastructures supporting research growth.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Ph.D., Juris Doctor (J.D.), or other terminal degree.
• Professional certifications or affiliations related to research administration, compliance, contracts, export controls, or research integrity (e.g., NCURA, PRIM&R, IAPP).
• Experience in a growing research university environment supporting federal, industry, and international research activities.
• Experience leading research security, export control, regulatory offices, or institutional risk management initiatives.
• Experience negotiating or overseeing complex research regulatory frameworks.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• Certification in Human Subjects Research (IRB), Animal Care and Use (IACUC), Biosafety and Biological Research Compliance (IBC), and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
• Training in Research Integrity and Research Misconduct, Conflict of Interest and Commitment, Research Security and Export Controls, Data Management and Research Governance, Regulatory Training and Education Programs, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Disclosure Governance

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal research regulations, sponsor requirements, and research compliance best practices.
• Knowledge of research security, export control, and federal disclosure requirements.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead organizational change and build scalable compliance infrastructure.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships with faculty, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain strong judgment and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive matters.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance with service-oriented support for faculty and research personnel.
• Ability to display a demonstrated commitment to fostering ethical research practices and institutional integrity.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. 

About Texas Christian University

TCU is all about the experience. This is a place where students learn how to adapt to whatever the future might bring, develop critical thinking skills and expand their creativity. With a choice of rigorous academic programs in 130 undergraduate areas of study, 61 master’s level programs and 24 areas of doctoral study, Horned Frogs have opportunities to search for meaning and examine values, yet graduate well-prepared for professional accomplishment. Whether in the fine arts or business or engineering, Horned Frogs can develop their full creative potential here. For example, both MBA and undergraduate students at the Neeley School of Business benefit from an experience ranked at the top by Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report — not in spite of, but because of, the focus on the individual. At TCU, professors love being in the classroom. These mentoring teacher-scholars also conduct well-published, leading-edge research, often with undergraduates at their sides. Horned Frogs live, learn and play 24-7 in a 277-acre setting in a vibrant city. They work out in state-of-the-art recreation facilities, catch Big 12 NCAA athletic competition and participate in 200+ organizati...ons, all without leaving the campus. That’s when they’re not providing thousands of hours of volunteer service to their community, interning in New York or LA, practicing journalism in Washington, D.C., experiencing international business in China or perfecting Spanish in Seville. It’s how Horned Frogs are learning to change the world.

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