Assistant Director, Office of IRB Administration - 141553

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California San Diego is seeking an Assistant Director for the Office of IRB Administration to oversee policies across six IRBs and the SCRO. The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional human subjects regulations.

Reporting to the Director, you will lead staff, ensure program accountability, and collaborate on policy updates while liaising with federal agencies as needed.

Qualifications

• Nine years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree plus five years.
• Managerial experience in compliance review board oversight.
• Experience managing relationships with regulatory agencies.
• Ability to apply a complex array of issues with mental flexibility and creativity in compliance area.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing human subject research.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train and supervise program staff; strong supervisory skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication; ability to work with faculty, committees and regulators.
• Strong leadership and personnel management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee policies and procedures related to human subject research compliance.
• Supervise staff supporting six IRBs and the SCRO.
• Ensure accountability for federally mandated review committees.
• Collaborate with the Director to update campus policies and procedures.
• Interface with federal regulators as needed.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

IRB oversight

Policy implementation

Staff supervision

Federal regulations knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree +5 years experience

Experience in hospital/academic regulatory environment

Job description

Payroll Title: RSCH CMPLNC SUPV 2

Department: DEANS OFC-MED SCHOOL

Hiring Pay Scale: $90,600 - $147,000 / Year

Worksite: La Jolla

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: Uncovered

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

#141553 Assistant Director, Office of IRB Administration

Filing Deadline: Tue 11/10/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/29/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This position will work a hybrid schedule which includes a combination of working both onsite at Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute in La Jolla, CA and remote.

DESCRIPTION

As a key element of UCSD's overall program of protections for human research subjects, the Office of IRB Administration (OIA) is responsible for the implementation, management and oversight of the review of human subjects research and stem cell research conducted by UCSD investigators. The OIA supports seven research review committees: six federally mandated Institutional Review Boards (IRBs- 5 biomedical, 1 social & behavioral) and a Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (SCRO). The OIA also manages relationships with a range of external IRBs.

Reporting to the Director of the Office of IRB Administration (OIA), the Associate Director of the OIA is responsible for the oversight, administration, implementation, and management of policies and procedures related to human subject research conducted by UCSD investigators. The Associate Director is also responsible for the supervision of staff in support of the six Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the one Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (SCRO).

The Associate Director will ensure program accountability for federally mandated research review committees and compliance with Federal regulations, State laws, and institutional policy applicable to research involving the participation of human subjects. The Associate Director collaborates with the Director in developing and updating campus policies, guidance, and procedures and implementing changes based on regulatory and institutional policies. The Associate Director may have contact with federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services - Office for Human Research Protections (HHS-OHRP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Administers policies and procedures in designated research compliance area conforming to established federal and state agency regulations. Receives assignments in the form of objectives with goals and the process by which to meet goals. Provides direction to staff according to established policies and management guidance. Administers policies that directly affect subordinate staff. Recommends changes to department policies and practices. Identifies risks and responds accordingly. Provides priority setting and work flow analysis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Nine (9) years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree plus five (5) years of relevant experience.

• Managerial experience and proven success in managing compliance review board or committee.

• Skill in managing established relationships with regulatory agencies for relevant compliance area.

• Ability to apply a complex array of issues, mental flexibility, and creativity to relevant compliance area

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and policies governing human subject research including: the HHS-OHRP regulations, FDA regulations for the use of investigational drugs, biologics and devices.

• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train and supervise program staff in the interpretation and implementation of complex regulations. Excellent supervisory skills and sound judgment necessary to organize workload, delegate responsibilities, evaluate and perform corrective action/discipline staff.

• Working knowledge of a significant body of scientific and medical concepts and terminology to properly review research protocols, request necessary additional information from researchers prior to review of unanticipated problems, adverse events or possible violations of human subject protection policy, to evaluate actions taken by investigators in response to committee requests, and to ensure compliance with the approved protocols.

• Highly effective written, oral communication skills, interpersonal skills and sound judgment necessary to work closely and effectively with faculty members conducting research, committee members, committee chairpersons, senior academic and administrative officers, and federal regulators.

• Experience with exercising strong leadership and supervisory skills in personnel management including experience in providing direction, knowledge of sound management practices, team building techniques, providing recommendations in hiring and performance appraisals; providing guidance and instructions and communicating in an effective, professional and direct manner, and provide disciplinary action as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Comprehensive knowledge of state and local regulations and policies governing human subject research including: California law on human experimentation and university policy regarding human subject research.

• Council for Certification of IRB Professionals (CIP) certification.

• Thorough knowledge of UCSD and UC governance, organizational structures, and communication channels; and of UCSD research programs and activities.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $90,600 - $166,400 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $43.39 - $79.69

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs