IRB Specialist

The University of Texas at El Paso; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance

Dental, Vision

UT Flex

Paid Holidays

Job summary

The University of Texas at El Paso is seeking an IRB Compliance Specialist to support the Office of Research Compliance. You will manage administrative duties for the IRB, perform pre-reviews, and coordinate communications with investigators to ensure regulatory compliance and accurate record-keeping.

Under supervision, you will assist with training, prepare meeting materials, track protocol submissions, and help improve processes.

Qualifications

• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical pre-review of incoming IRB protocols for preliminary determination of completeness and regulatory compliance.
• Advise, assist, and provide education to investigators regarding submitting new protocols, amendments, requests for continuance and closing reports.
• Coordinate and relay review-related correspondence to investigators, including reviewer comments and IRB determinations.
• Record meeting minutes and facilitate their approval.
• Review and update internal SOPs and IRB website as needed.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

IRB knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Position Information

Hiring Department: Office of Research Compliance

Job Location: On-site; El Paso, TX

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: 08/24/2026

Salary: $45,000 annually.

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

Position Summary

Under the direction of the IRB Administrator and in cooperation with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair, the Specialist has a vital role in ensuring a high-quality human subjects’ protection program that reflects The University of Texas at El Paso’s commitment to the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects. In this role, the incumbent is responsible for the administrative management of research compliance and of the activities of the IRB. With minimal supervision, provides coordinating services, keeps official records, and executes administrative policies determined by or in conjunction with other officials, within area of assigned responsibility.

Statement Of Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide technical pre-review of incoming IRB protocols for preliminary determination of completeness and regulatory compliance.
• Work constructively with investigators to revise protocols, as needed. Consult with IRB Administrator/Manager/Executive Director as needed to ensure accuracy of pre-review in complex cases.
• Conduct congruence analysis to ensure that proposed human subject activities are consistent with the associated funding application.
• Advise, assist, and provide education in individual and group settings to investigators regarding appropriate procedures for submitting new protocols, amendments, requests for continuance and closing reports.
• Coordinate and relay all review-related correspondence to investigators, including reviewer comments, IRB determinations, and requests for additional information.
• Provide high level support, data entry and training support to the IRB area.
• Triage all incoming IRB correspondence, phone queries and other communications. Draft written responses when needed, including researching relevant regulations and other related information to required or requested.
• Assist with compiling agenda items and researching/summarizing relevant background information to facilitate discussion and inform decision-making. Record meeting minutes and facilitate their approval.
• Review and compile protocol submissions, tracking protocol turnaround times and generate data and statistics for quality assurance and improvement initiatives.
• Assist with administrative duties related to drafting reports of non-compliance, required periodical reports to governing agencies, as well as managing and review data entry to www.clinicaltrials.gov .
• Review and update internal SOP’s and IRB website as needed.
• May coordinate and schedule IRB meetings, send invitations, ensure quorum and all meeting information has been distributed for members.
• Ensure protocols are renewed prior to expiration and all training requirements have been met.
• Assist with document revision/preparation, maintenance, and creation of proper forms for investigators to use.
• Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations to improve operations.
• Work closely, cooperatively, and professionally with other staff members, and coordinate efforts with the Division as a whole, including providing coverage as needed.
• Engage in professional development opportunities as available; maintain memberships in professional listservs and regularly review postings to gain updated information about relevant regulations and best practices and apply them to IRB materials and procedures.
• May represent the business function, division, or department at meetings, conferences, and seminars or committees.
• Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.
• Complies with all State and University policies.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Occasional traveling required.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Experience: Two years of related experience and/or training to the essential duties and responsibilities ; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills and be knowledgeable of research animal care.

Why Pick UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP ) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan . Built around the institution’s core strengths—its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships—the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University’s regional impact and national stature.

What UTEP Offers

Miner Perks and Benefits

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans
• Retirement Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Discounts & Perks
• Employee Education Assistance program
• And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits.

Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part‑time or full‑time employment.

Additional Information

Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code

• 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Special vision requirements are close vision and color vision. The employee must regularly be able to lift and move up to 25 lbs.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries—including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident—about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at [phone], by email at [e-mail] , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at [e-mail] .