Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair, Part-time

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, retirement plans

Tuition assistance for you and depend—

ECO Pass for local transit

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder seeks an IRB Chair to provide scientific, ethical, and regulatory leadership for a biomedical IRB overseeing human subjects research across sleep medicine, physiology, psychology and engineering. The Chair ensures compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies, guides convened IRB meetings, and supports investigators in ethical research.

The role balances scientific merit with participant welfare, working 16 hours per month in a hybrid setting, with

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a biomedical, behavioral, psychological, physiological field.
• 5+ years of service on an IRB.
• Experience as IRB Chair, Vice Chair, or designated reviewer desired.
• Experience as PI/Co-PI on CU IRB-approved studies preferred.
• Familiarity with CU Boulder’s electronic IRB management systems.
• Familiarity with NIH grant funding.

Responsibilities

• Preside over convened IRB meetings and ensure orderly, objective review.
• Lead protocol reviews and balance scientific merit with participant protection.
• Provide guidance on regulatory requirements and ethical standards.
• Assist investigators in preparing ethical and compliant submissions.
• Support training and continuous improvement in IRB processes.
• Ensure accurate documentation of decisions, modifications, and approvals.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Ethical decision-making

Communication

Meeting facilitation

Education

Advanced degree (PhD, MD)

Tools

Electronic IRB systems

NIH grant familiarity

Job description

Job Summary

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair provides scientific, ethical, and regulatory leadership for a biomedical Institutional Review Board responsible for the review and oversight of humansubjects research conducted within the university. This includes research in sleep medicine, integrative physiology, psychology and engineering.

The Chair ensures that all IRB reviews are conducted in accordance with federal regulations, ethical principles, institutional policies, and applicable state and local requirements.

The Chair leads convened IRB meetings, facilitates efficient and consistent review of research protocols, promotes the protection of research participants, and supports investigators in conducting ethical and compliant research.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

RIO is the central point for support and advocacy for CU Boulder’s world-class scholarship, creative work, and growing research enterprise. We are focused on creating global impact by cultivating and supporting collaboration, transformation and leadership. At the heart of this focus are the contributions of a wide range of world-class experts, working together to accelerate ideas throughout the entire innovation lifecycle. We endeavor to embody CU Boulder's dedication to exemplify excellence by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, enhancing the success and inclusion of all students, staff and faculty, and deepening our ability to share and engage with varied perspectives.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

IRB Leadership and Oversight

• Preside over convened Panel B IRB meetings and ensure orderly, objective, and efficient conduct of Board business.
• Review research protocols involving human participants from various fields including integrative physiology, behavioral science, and psychology programs.
• Promote compliance with applicable regulations, including:
  • 45 CFR 46 (Common Rule)
  • FDA regulations, as applicable
  • HIPAA Privacy Rule, as applicable
  • Intitutional policies and procedures
• Foster a culture of ethical research and participant protection
• Ensure that IRB deliberations appropriately balance scientific merit, participant welfare, and regulatory requirements

Protocol Review Responsibilities

• Lead the Board in determining whether research satisfies criteria for IRB approval.
• Review and assess:
  • Risks and benefits of research procedures
  • Subject recruitment methods
  • Informed consent processes and documents
  • Privacy and confidentiality protections
  • Protections for vulnerable populations
  • Data and safety monitoring plans, when applicable
• Serve as a designated reviewer for selected expedited, continuing review, amendment, adverse event, and reportable event submissions in accordance with institutional policy
• Serve as a reviewer for selected exempt studies

Evaluate research involving:

• Human physiology testing
• Exercise and performance studies
• Biospecimen collection
• Psychological assessments
• Surveys and interviews
• Behavioral intervention studies
• Cognitive and social science research

Regulatory Determinations

• Work with IRB staff to ensure accurate documentation of:
  • IRB decisions
  • Required modifications
  • Approval criteria
  • Meeting minutes
• Make or delegate determinations regarding:
  • Expedited review eligibility
  • Continuing review requirements
  • Unanticipated problems involving risks to participants or others
  • Noncompliance and protocol deviations

Investigator and Institutional Support

• Provide guidance to investigators regarding ethical and regulatory requirements.
• Assist researchers in understanding IRB expectations and improving protocol submissions.
• Participate in educational outreach and training activities related to human subjects protections.
• Serve as a resource for faculty, students, and research staff conducting human subjects research.

Quality Improvement

• Promote consistency across protocol reviews.
• Find opportunities to improve IRB processes, review efficiency, and investigator support.
• Participate in institutional quality improvement initiatives, if applicable.
• Support implementation of new regulatory guidance and policy changes.

What You Should Know

• This position will work 16 hours per month and will be hybrid.

What We Can Offer

The hourly rate for this 9% part-time position is $100/hour.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD) in a biomedical, behavioral, psychological, physiological, or related scientific field.
• 5+ years of service on an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

• Strong leadership and meeting facilitation skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply research regulations and institutional policies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to foster respectful discussion among IRB members with diverse expertise.
• Sound judgment and ethical decision-making.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet review timelines.
• Dedication to protecting the rights, welfare, and privacy of research participants.
• Ability to critically evaluate research design, participant risks, and informed consent processes.
• Knowledge of federal regulations governing human subjects protections, including the Common Rule.
• Strong understanding of ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience as an IRB Chair, Vice Chair, or designated reviewer.
• Experience as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on a CU IRB-approved study.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Integrative physiology
  • Sleep research
  • Exercise science
  • Human performance research (minimum of 5 years)
  • Behavioral science
  • Clinical psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
• Experience reviewing minimal-risk and greater-than-minimal-risk human subjects research.
• Familiarity with CU Boulder’s electronic IRB management systems.
• Familiarity with NIH grant funding.

Please apply by 9/10/26 for consideration.