Research Associate, Senior

Description

• ** Serves as the UH Conflict of Interest Specialist of the system-wide Conflict of Interest Program (COI), who reports to the Director of the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) within Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI).
• ** Responsible for the daily administration, oversight, tracking, review, maintenance, and disposition for the OVPRI's electronic conflict of interest (COI) reporting system(s).
• ** Evaluates the effectiveness of OVPRI’s electronic COI reporting system(s) and recommends improvements to support data integrity, system functionality, and compliance with UH policies and federal requirements.
• ** Tracks and monitors research compliance requirements for COI and other regulatory requirements, including completion of required training by UH and other federal and state organizations.
• **Conducts the comprehensive research compliance review process for COI disclosures through risk-based assessment methodologies, ensuring timely, consistent, and documented disposition for researchers, faculty, staff, and student populations
• ** Works with researchers, faculty, staff, and students in resolving issues related to COI and other regulatory requirements for compliance with extramural sponsor requirements, federal regulations, and university policies.
• **Implements a high-touch, human-driven enforcement strategy to personally communicate the mandatory requirements of timely COI disclosure and training to researchers, thereby ensuring the University meets its continuous disclosure obligations and safeguards extramural funding integrity.
• ** Drafts, implements, and manages COI management plans to address conflicts of interest, including developing procedures to improve conflict of interest processes.
• ** Coordinates, tracks, and reviews annual updates to active COI Management Plans and reports to supervisor(s) on status.
• ** Reviews proposal development documents in the electronic research administration system and corresponding COI disclosures to ensure complete and accurate disclosure.
• ** Oversees disclosures reported to National Institute of Health institutes and centers against disclosures submitted in the OVPRI's electronic COI reporting system.
• ** Resolves problems and provides general oversight for the work assigned in the research compliance COI office.
• ** Provides advisory input to other UH offices and programs, such as the UH Cancer Center and Human Studies Program, on potential COI issues identified in protocol applications.
• ** Provides advisory input to the Office of Innovation and Commercialization and Technology Licensing Officers (TLOs) on potential conflict of interest issues identified during technology transfer reviews.
• ** Seeks consultation as needed to determine the proper identification, disposition, and management of significant financial interests identified during the disclosure process or received from other sources.
• ** Supports the execution of a comprehensive research security program to meet NSPM-33 and National Industrial Security Program requirements, including areas of export controls, conflict of interest, foreign influence, international collaborations, and international travel.
• ** Reviews and evaluates technical documents and other relevant agreements (e.g., proposal, awards, non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements, project scopes of work, etc.) to determine research security applicability and compliance.
• ** Maintains regular communication with supervisor(s) of the progress and status of completion of projects assigned, anticipated problems and major policy changes expected affecting research administration.
• ** Conducts training and outreach on COI and research security requirements to the UH research community.
• ** Provides training, mentorship, and day-to-day supervision to student employee(s).
• ** Leads and provides administrative support for the UH OVPRI Conflicts of Interest Committee.
• ** Updates and maintains COI and other related research compliance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and UH policies.
• ** Participates in the development, testing and implementation of enhancements and customizations to research administration and compliance systems.
• ** Ensures proper and timely reporting of conflicts of interest as required by extramural sponsors.
• ** Responsible for written and oral communications, exercising tact, diplomacy and good judgment in relations with both internal and external parties.
• ** Oversees the organization and maintenance of files related to COI disclosures and issues, including but not limited to, files saved electronically.
• ** Transcribes interviews, as needed, for research compliance programs such as COI and research misconduct proceedings.
• ** Coordinates the electronic signature workflow assignments and receipts, including maintenance of files for record keeping.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the federal landscape of rules and regulations on undue foreign influence in research as it relates to disclosure of conflicts of interest and commitment.
• Participates in training efforts related to undue foreign influence and disclosure of conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment
• Other duties as assigned.

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in business administration, natural or social sciences or related field and 5 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for federal compliance regulations; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of federal compliance regulations especially related to conflict of interest, scientific/research misconduct and/or responsible conduct of research as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with federal extramural compliance requirements, especially related to conflict of interest, scientific/research misconduct and/or responsible conduct of research.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
• For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

• Effective oral and written communication skills to interact with individuals to clarify situations, resolve problems, and ensure cooperation with and among stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate the work of a University committee assigned to review individual conflicts of interest and organizational conflicts of interest, including creating meeting agendas, scheduling, minutes, providing leadership and technical advice, and seeking additional consultation as needed to further the business of the committee.
• Demonstrated ability to provide training on the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Conflicts of Interest disclosure requirements.

• At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration with a government agency or institution of higher education.
• Background in conducting academic research.

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