Crafting the perfect job description can be a game-changer for your hiring process. In this post, we'll provide a generic example of a job description for a Research Compliance Officer role that you can easily customize for your own company's needs. And be sure to check out our AI-powered interview guide generator and interview question generator to streamline your hiring process.

What is a Research Compliance Officer?

Research Compliance Officers play a crucial role in ensuring that an organization's research activities adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. They develop, implement, and monitor compliance policies and procedures, providing guidance and training to researchers and research staff. By serving as a liaison between the organization and regulatory agencies, Research Compliance Officers help to maintain the integrity of the research process and protect the rights and well-being of research participants.

What does a Research Compliance Officer do?

A Research Compliance Officer's primary responsibilities include conducting regular audits and inspections to evaluate the organization's compliance with research regulations, investigating and resolving any reported instances of non-compliance, and staying up-to-date on changes in research regulations and guidelines. They collaborate closely with other departments, such as research administration, finance, and legal, to ensure an integrated and comprehensive approach to research compliance.

Research Compliance Officer Responsibilities Include

• Developing, implementing, and monitoring policies and procedures to ensure compliance with research regulations
• Providing guidance and training to researchers, research staff, and other stakeholders on compliance requirements and best practices
• Conducting regular audits and inspections to evaluate the organization's compliance with research regulations
• Serving as a liaison between the organization and regulatory agencies, such as the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Investigating and resolving any reported instances of non-compliance, taking appropriate corrective actions as needed
• Staying up-to-date on changes in research regulations and guidelines, and communicating these changes to the organization

Job Description

🔍 Research Compliance Officer

About Company

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Job Brief

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What You'll Do 🚀

As a Research Compliance Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring that all research activities conducted within the organization are in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. You will collaborate with researchers, research staff, and other stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor effective compliance policies and procedures, and provide guidance and training to ensure the integrity of the research process.

What We're Looking For 👀

• Strong knowledge of research regulations and guidelines, such as those related to human subjects research, animal welfare, biosafety, and data management
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing compliance policies and procedures
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify and resolve non-compliance issues
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide training and guidance to researchers and other stakeholders
• Familiarity with regulatory agencies and bodies, such as the IRB and IACUC
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and ethics

Our Values

• [placeholder bulleted list of common values]

Compensation and Benefits

• [placeholder bulleted list of compensation and benefits]

Location

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Equal Employment Opportunity

[statement about the company being an equal opportunity employer]

Hiring Process 🤝

We're excited to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to our research compliance efforts. Our hiring process includes the following steps:

Screening Interview

This is a 30-minute phone interview to assess your basic qualifications, interest in the role, and fit for the organization. We'll ask questions about your background, experience, and motivation for applying.

Competency Interview

This is a 60-minute in-person interview conducted by the hiring manager and a member of the compliance team. We'll evaluate your relevant experience and skills, such as your knowledge of research regulations, ability to develop and implement compliance policies, and experience in training and guiding researchers.

Work Sample: Compliance Policy Development

This is a 60-minute exercise where you'll be asked to review a sample research protocol and develop a draft compliance policy to address the identified risks and requirements. You'll present your policy recommendations to the interview panel and respond to questions.

Chronological Interview

This is a 60-minute in-person interview conducted by the hiring manager. We'll explore your professional background and experience in more depth, focusing on your career progression, key accomplishments, and how your past roles have prepared you for the Research Compliance Officer position.

Final Interview

This is a 45-minute interview with a senior leader, such as the head of research or a member of the executive team. We'll assess your strategic thinking, ability to navigate complex compliance challenges, and fit with the organization's culture and values.

Ideal Candidate Profile (For Internal Use)

Role Overview

We're seeking a Research Compliance Officer who can help us maintain the highest standards of research integrity and ethics. In this role, you'll be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring compliance policies and procedures, providing guidance and training to researchers, and serving as a liaison between the organization and regulatory agencies.

Essential Behavioral Competencies

1. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to identify and analyze compliance issues, develop effective solutions, and make well-informed decisions.
2. Communication and Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with researchers, research staff, and other stakeholders.
3. Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to auditing and inspecting research activities, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and policies.
4. Adaptability and Continuous Learning: Stays up-to-date on changes in research regulations and guidelines, and quickly adjusts to new compliance requirements.
5. Integrity and Ethics: Unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and protecting the rights and well-being of research participants.

Goals For Role

1. Develop and implement comprehensive compliance policies and procedures that ensure the organization's research activities adhere to all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Provide effective training and guidance to researchers and research staff, empowering them to maintain compliance throughout the research process.
3. Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify and resolve any instances of non-compliance, mitigating risks and protecting the organization's reputation.
4. Serve as a trusted liaison between the organization and regulatory agencies, fostering positive and collaborative relationships.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a research compliance or regulatory affairs role
• Strong knowledge of research regulations and guidelines, such as those related to human subjects research, animal welfare, biosafety, and data management
• Demonstrated track record of developing and implementing compliance policies and procedures
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify and resolve non-compliance issues
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide training and guidance to researchers and other stakeholders
• Familiarity with regulatory agencies and bodies, such as the IRB and IACUC
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology, public health, or regulatory affairs