Remote Research Security Compliance Specialist

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); Hybrid; USD 1,254,000 - 1,821,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley seeks a Research Security Cybersecurity Specialist to enforce federal cybersecurity and data protection requirements for sponsored research. You will advise PI computing environments, help build compliance workflows, and coordinate across campus IT with diplomacy and expertise.

The role focuses on ensuring cybersecurity compliance, NSPM-33 implementation, and ongoing adaptation to evolving federal standards while engaging researchers and institutional partners.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of NIST cybersecurity frameworks (800-171, 800-53) and ability to apply them.
• Ability to rapidly learn evolving regulatory frameworks (CMMC, DFARS 252.204-7012, FISMA, NSPM-33).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication to explain cybersecurity concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and consultative skills to work with researchers and campus IT.
• Experience in higher education, research institutions, or government is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assesses cybersecurity posture of research labs against federal standards and guides remediation.
• Provides expert guidance on data security requirements for federally sponsored research.
• Monitors regulatory developments and contributes to System Security Plans and compliance documentation.
• Collaborates with campus IT, Research IT, and departmental IT to address compliance questions and incident response.
• Develops training materials and offers one-on-one guidance on cybersecurity compliance.

Skills

NIST frameworks

Data security guidance

Communications skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, information systems, or related field

Job description

University of California, Berkeley seeks a Research Security Cybersecurity Specialist to enforce federal cybersecurity and data protection requirements for sponsored research. You will advise PI computing environments, help build compliance workflows, and coordinate across campus IT with diplomacy and expertise.

The role focuses on ensuring cybersecurity compliance, NSPM-33 implementation, and ongoing adaptation to evolving federal standards while engaging researchers and institutional partners.