Director of Research Security

UT Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading medical research institution in Texas seeks a Director to oversee the Research Security Program. This role involves ensuring compliance with federal research security requirements while collaborating across institutional offices. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in research compliance and a strong background in security leadership. Join us to promote a culture of compliance and secure collaborations.

Benefits

PPO medical plan available day one

Paid Time Off available day one

Tuition Reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

Qualifications

• 10 years progressively responsible experience in research compliance, export control, or national security.
• 3 years of experience in a supervisory/managerial capacity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and direct a comprehensive Research Security Program.
• Collaborate with institutional offices to identify and mitigate research security risks.
• Provide guidance on secure research practices and requirements.
• Lead investigations of research-related security breaches.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of state and federal research security frameworks

Experience in a compliance or security leadership role

Proven ability to work across academic, clinical, and IT environments

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Advanced degree (JD, MPH, MS, or PhD)

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas‑Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world‑renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas‑Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on‑site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY

The Director works in close collaboration with the Research Security Officer, who also serves as the Associate Vice President of Research Regulatory Affairs. The Director is responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day operations and ensuring compliance with federal research security requirements. With support from the Research Security Officer and Research Security Steering Committee, the Director leads the development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive Research Security Program. This program aligns with federal mandates such as National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM‑33), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and ensures appropriate safeguards for sensitive research, data, technologies, and collaborations, particularly where national security and controlled technologies intersect. The Director promotes a culture of compliance, transparency, and secure collaborations across the university.

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall well‑being, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full‑time employee‑only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job Duties

• Develop and direct a comprehensive Research Security Program that ensures compliance with state and federal regulations as well as institutional policies.
• Collaborate with key institutional offices such as Office of Compliance, Sponsored Programs, Conflict of Interest, Information Security, Legal Affairs, Office of International Affairs, and Export Control, to identify and mitigate research security risks, particularly related to foreign influence and sensitive research.
• Provide guidance to investigators and departments regarding secure research practices, international collaborations, foreign talent programs, and requirements for disclosure.
• Partner with Information Resources and Information Security teams to assess and maintain secure computing environments that meet federal requirements, particularly for sponsored clinical research involving sensitive patient data.
• Review and approve international travel, shipments, and technical data exports in accordance with state and federal research security requirements, export control laws and institutional policies.
• Lead institutional compliance with U.S. export control regulations (ITAR, EAR) as they apply to biomedical research, clinical trials, international collaborations, and the transfer of controlled technologies or data.
• Oversee the development and delivery of institution‑wide training program on research security, cybersecurity, and export control compliance for faculty, staff, and trainees.
• Monitor federal regulatory changes and emerging threats; advise senior leadership on impact and institutional preparedness.
• Lead investigations of research‑related security breaches or compliance concerns in coordination with Legal, Compliance, and Information Security offices.
• Prepare and submit required reports and certifications to state and federal agencies, sponsors and internal leadership.
• Manage research security personnel and coordinate interdepartmental initiatives supporting secure research.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

• Education
  Bachelor's Degree in a related field

• Experience
  10 years progressively responsible in a related field such as research compliance, export control, or national security
  3 years of experience in a supervisory/managerial capacity

Preferred

• Education
  Advanced degree (JD, MPH, MS, or PhD) in a relevant field

• Licenses and Certifications
  Relevant certifications (e.g., Export Control Certifications - ITAR/EAR, CCEP, CHRC, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of state and federal research security frameworks and compliance requirements, including NSPM‑33, NIST 800‑171, and CMMC.
• Experience in a compliance or security leadership role within an academic medical center or health system.
• Familiarity with export control regulations (ITAR, EAR) and their relevance to biomedical research.
• Proven ability to work across academic, clinical, and IT environments to implement policy and operational changes.
• Work requires ability to lead, manage, and direct staff of various levels.
• Work requires ability to monitor and maintain budget.
• Work requires ability to ensure adherence to all policies and procedures of university.
• Work requires ability to work with confidential information on a daily basis.
• Work requires ability to effectively interpret and apply organizational policies, procedures, and systems.
• Work requires excellent interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Work requires demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and exercise decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.
• Work requires ability to read, write, develop plans, procedures, and coordinate persons and other resources to accomplish goals.
• Work requires excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Work requires knowledge of personal computers.
• Work may require ability to lead committees as appropriate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Demands
  Talking

• Working Conditions
  Office Setting

P ACT STATEMENT

• P-Problem Solving: Employees take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently, and to the satisfaction of customers, or managers. They show initiative in addressing areas of concern before they become problems.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Accountability: Employees exhibit ability to perform their job and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner reflecting a professional environment readily assuming obligations in a dependable and reliable manner.
• C-Communication, Contribution, and Collaboration: Who are our Customers? Anyone who requests our help, needs our work product, or receives our services. Employees focus on customer service with creative solutions while improving the customer experience through clear, courteous, and timely delivery and communication. Sharing ideas with others helps expand our contribution to department goals.
• T-Teamwork: Employees work to contribute to the department's success by supporting co‑workers, promoting excellence in work product and customer service, and in maintaining a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

Salary

Salary Negotiable

Security

This position is security‑sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.