Research Compliance Specialist (UAE Nationals)

Khalifa University; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi seeks a Research Compliance Specialist to support the university's ethics and compliance programs, including IRB, IACUC, and IBC processes. You will organize submissions, maintain records, coordinate reviews, and assist with training and policy updates to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and KU procedures.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience in research compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or health-related field with knowledge of research ethics and regulatory requirements.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in research compliance or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative review of IRB and IACUC submissions for completeness and readiness for review.
• Log, organize, and track submissions and documentation across institutional systems and workflows.
• Coordinate assignment and distribution of submissions to reviewers and committee members; track reviews.
• Schedule meetings, prepare invitations/agendas, and maintain committee documents and records.
• Prepare and issue routine correspondence regarding submission requirements, review status, and follow-up actions.
• Track initial submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, reportable events, and post-approval activities; maintain records.
• Assist investigators with submission processes, forms, procedures, and institutional guidelines.
• Maintain accurate electronic and physical records relating to protocols, committee membership, reviewer documentation, and regulatory registrations.
• Support preparation of training sessions and awareness activities on research compliance.

Skills

Research ethics

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science/health-related field

Job description

The Research Compliance Specialist provides administrative and coordination support for the University’s research compliance activities and committees, including the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The role contributes to the effective administration of research compliance processes and supports adherence to applicable laws and regulations, ethical and professional standards, KU policies and procedures, and approved research protocols.

• Conduct preliminary administrative review of IRB and IACUC submissions to verify completeness, required documentation, applicable forms, and readiness for further review, and coordinate with investigators to obtain missing or incomplete information.
• Provide administrative support for research integrity matters, including logging cases, organizing and maintaining case files, collecting and saving relevant documentation, tracking correspondence and actions, and routing materials to the appropriate responsible officials or reviewers.
• Receive, log, track, and route IRB, IACUC, IBC, and research integrity submissions and associated documentation through the applicable institutional systems and workflows.
• Coordinate the assignment and distribution of submissions and supporting documentation to designated reviewers and committee members, and track reviews and responses to support timely completion.
• Provide administrative coordination for the IRB, IACUC, and IBC, including scheduling committee meetings, preparing meeting invitations and agendas, compiling and distributing meeting materials, coordinating attendance and quorum requirements, and maintaining committee documentation and records.
• Support the preparation, documentation, and maintenance of committee meeting minutes, review outcomes, correspondence, and decisions, as directed by the relevant Committee Chair or responsible official.
• Prepare and issue routine correspondence to investigators and research teams regarding submission requirements, requests for additional information, review status, committee outcomes, and required follow-up actions.
• Track initial submissions, amendments, continuing reviews/renewals, reportable events, closures, and other post-approval activities, as applicable, and maintain accurate records of submission and approval status.
• Provide administrative assistance to investigators and research teams regarding submission processes, required documentation, applicable forms, institutional procedures, and use of research compliance systems.
• Maintain accurate and complete electronic and physical records relating to protocols, committee membership, reviewer documentation, regulatory registrations, approvals, correspondence, and research integrity matters, in accordance with applicable record-retention requirements.
• Support the collection, organization, and preliminary review of documentation required for regulatory submissions, inspections, audits, accreditation activities, and internal compliance reviews.
• Assist in the coordination and preparation of research compliance training sessions, workshops, awareness activities, and educational initiatives for faculty, researchers, students, committee members, and other relevant stakeholders, including scheduling sessions, preparing training materials and communications, maintaining attendance and training records, and coordinating logistical arrangements.
• Assist with the review and of research compliance policies, procedures, SOPs, forms, templates, guidance documents, and workflows.
• Follow established policies, SOPs, processes, and procedures to support compliance with applicable laws and regulations, ethical standards, institutional requirements, and approved research protocols.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining a safe, professional, confidential, and ethical working environment.
• Support and encourage a culture and environment of research compliance, integrity, and ethical research conduct across the University by promoting awareness of applicable policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and responsible research practices among the research community.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Unit Lead and Research Operations Director.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or health-related field, or another relevant academic discipline, with knowledge of research ethics, research compliance, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience