Research Integrity Officer

Morehouse School of Medicine; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Morehouse School of Medicine seeks a Research Integrity Officer to ensure all research conducted under the institution's auspices complies with regulatory requirements and high ethical standards.

The RIO will collaborate with faculty, students, and leadership, interfacing with federal and state agencies to promote ethical excellence in research and manage investigations into misconduct, audits, and sponsor reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science discipline or related field.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Research Administration, Law, Life Sciences, Public Policy, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lifecycle grant/contract oversight, pre-award integrity evaluation of data use and material transfer agreements.
• Post-award monitoring of grant contracts to ensure milestones and budgets are met.
• Termination and closeout management of grants with timely reporting and asset disclosures.
• Protocol enforcement across IRB, IACUC, and Biosafety guidelines.
• Compliance auditing of ongoing projects and corrective action planning for deviations.
• Lead inquiries and investigations into allegations of research misconduct or contract non-compliance.
• Sponsor reporting to federal oversight bodies and private sponsors.

Skills

Analytical skills

Discretion & ethics

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a science discipline

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Research Administration/Life Sciences/Public Policy

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Employment in this role may be contingent upon extramural funding and successful performance and may be terminated or reduced in percentage of appointment if such funding is not secured or ceases to be available.

Position Information

About MSM

Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is a place of distinction, serving as the nation’s leading academic medical center for vulnerable populations. It’s also a place for passionate individuals looking to join a dedicated community working today to help prepare tomorrow’s leaders.

We exist to:

• Improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities;
• Increase the diversity of the health professional and scientific workforce;
• Address primary health care through programs in education, research and service;
• With emphasis on people of color and the under-served urban and rural populations in Georgia, the nation and the world.

At Morehouse School of Medicine, we’re leading the creation and advancement of health equity. You will find a fulfilling career at MSM !

Posting Number

Posting Number NONAC3718

Job Title

Job Title Research Integrity Officer

Position Title

Position Title Research Integrity Officer

Position Type

Position Type Non-Faculty

Number of vacancies

Number of vacancies 1

Department

Department Compliance

Position Summary

The Research Integrity Officer (“RIO”) will serve a critical role in the Office of Compliance and Corporate Integrity (OCCI) to work with the research enterprise at MSM. The primary responsibilities are to ensure that all aspects of research conducted under the institutions’ auspices are carried out in compliance with institutional, local, state and federal research integrity regulations, and the highest ethical standards.

The RIO will collaborate with other institution units and personnel that conduct research, including faculty, students, as well as departmental and institutional leadership. The RIO engages with the MSM community to promote and foster ethical excellence in research, and interfaces with federal, state, and local officials, and other external agencies to ensure transparent implementation of research misconduct regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Lifecycle Grant Contract Oversight

Pre-Award Integrity: Evaluate proposed grant contracts, data use agreements, and material transfer agreements during the pre-award phase to identify potential compliance risks, conflicts of interest, or structural vulnerabilities before institutional sign-off.

Post-Award Monitoring: Audit active grant contracts to ensure all research milestones, budgetary allocations, and data-sharing mandates strictly adhere to the terms and conditions set by sponsors and federal agencies.

Termination & Closeout Management: Oversee the formal termination and closeout of grants. Ensure that all final technical reports, financial reconciliations, asset distributions, and intellectual property disclosures are completed with total integrity and in accordance with contractual timelines. Accountability for Existing Protocols

Protocol Enforcement: Serve as the primary authority ensuring that all active research complies with established institutional protocols, including but not limited to IRB (human subjects), IACUC (animal welfare), and Biosafety guidelines.

Compliance Auditing: Design and execute routine and targeted audits of ongoing research projects to verify that researchers are strictly following approved protocols and contractual grant parameters.

Corrective Action Plans: Develop, implement, and monitor mandatory corrective action plans when deviations from existing protocols or contract terms are discovered. Investigation and Dispute Resolution

Research Misconduct Inquiry: Lead institutional inquiries and investigations into allegations of research misconduct (fabrication, falsification, plagiarism) or serious contract/protocol non-compliance.

Sponsor Reporting: Act as the official liaison to federal oversight bodies (e.g., ORI, NIH, NSF) and private sponsors regarding compliance breaches, protocol deviations, or contract termination disputes.

Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional analytical skills for dissecting complex contracts; absolute discretion and ethical judgment; strong conflict resolution capabilities.
• Operational knowledge of research regulations (e.g., research misconduct, human subjects’ protections, animal care and use, biosecurity, conflict of interest) promulgated from various federal agencies (e.g., HHS, NIH, NSF).
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and proprietary information, and maintain confidentiality with discretion and good judgment.
• Excellent written and strong communication and interpersonal skills, customer service orientation, and ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships.
• Proven ability to effectively organize, prioritize and perform multiple job functions and complex tasks, meet deadlines with short turn-around times, and manage changing situations.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in a science discipline or a related field. Degree must be from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Research Administration, Law, Life Sciences, Public Policy, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five (5) years prior experience in a Research Integrity Office or Research Compliance Program, management of federally regulated programs, academic research administration, or legal oversight of grants and contracts.
• Generalized knowledge of federal regulatory requirements as they relate to grants, contracts and program management.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex regulations and requirements to the medical school.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects to completion including oversight of documents, interface with other participants and reporting of project outcomes.
• Presentation skills and evidenced experience in communicating to varied constituencies and audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree or higher in a science discipline or a related field. Degree must be from a regionally accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE

• Training or experience in research ethics
• Experience conducting ethics consultation
• Experience with export control oversight
• Experience as a Research Integrity Officer or Research Compliance Manager

Closing Date

Closing Date 11/24/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employment in this role may be contingent upon extramural funding and successful performance and may be terminated or reduced in percentage of appointment if such funding is not secured or ceases to be available.

Morehouse School of Medicine is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Georgia State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Morehouse School of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

Job Duties

Pre-Employment/Employment Requirements

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization

Immunization Requirements

It is MSM’s Immunization policy that all Prospective Employees are encouraged to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID -19 prior to commencement of employment. If employment will commence during Flu Season, MSM requires all individuals to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless granted an exemption. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain an exemption from MSM will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Our vision is to lead the creation and advancement of health equity.

Morehouse School of Medicine

720 Westview Drive

Atlanta, GA 30310

404-752-1500

Partner Site(s):

Morehouse Healthcare