Research Security Analyst - Supply Chain Security Lead

UT MD Anderson; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical coverage

Dental/vision insurance optional

Tuition Assistance Program

Job summary

UT MD Anderson is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention.

The Research Security Analyst supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated research security program designed to protect critical research, secure the academic environment from undue foreign influence, and support compliance with federal and state research security requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in sponsored research, conflicts of interest, research integrity, international relations, or national security.
• Experience in counterintelligence, supply chain security, security clearance, risk assessments, executive briefing skills, intelligence analysis, due diligence, investigations, procurement oversight, and/or regulatory review preferred.
• Experience conducting OSINT research, evaluating third-party entities and vendors, assessing FOCI risks, and interpreting regulations related to research funding and supply chain security preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical support for Research Security Program activities.
• Support development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated research security program.
• Protect critical research and help secure the academic environment from undue foreign influence.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across legal, research, procurement, technology commercialization, and compliance functions.
• Conduct research security reviews and risk assessments including OSINT reviews for faculty hires and awards.

Skills

Analytical thinking

OSINT

Risk assessment

Attention to detail

Regulatory interpretation

Counterintelligence

Supply chain security

Executive briefing

Investigations

Procurement oversight

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

OSINT tools

Job description

UT MD Anderson is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Research Security Analyst supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated research security program designed to protect critical research, secure the academic environment from undue foreign influence, and support compliance with federal and state research security requirements. The Research Security Analyst works closely with the Program Manager, Research Security, to assess risks, review research-related activities, and strengthen institutional safeguards.

UT MD Anderson is recognized for advancing innovative research and fostering collaboration across scientific and academic disciplines. The Research Security Analyst plays an important role in helping UT MD Anderson maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements while supporting a secure and productive research environment. The Research Security Analyst contributes analytical expertise, independent judgment, and risk assessment capabilities to support institutional objectives.

The ideal candidate will have experience in counterintelligence, supply chain security, security clearance, risk assessments, executive briefing skills, intelligence analysis, due diligence, investigations, procurement oversight, and/or regulatory review. Experience conducting open-source intelligence (OSINT) research, evaluating third-party entities and vendors, assessing foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) risks, and interpreting federal and state regulations related to research funding and supply chain security is highly preferred. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and investigative skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to translate complex risk findings into actionable recommendations while collaborating with stakeholders across legal, research, procurement, technology commercialization, and compliance functions.

Why Us?

This role provides the opportunity to contribute directly to UT MD Anderson's mission by helping protect critical research activities, supporting compliance with emerging regulatory requirements, and strengthening institutional research security. Team members gain exposure to complex analytical projects, collaboration with institutional leaders, and opportunities for professional growth while supporting a world-class academic and research environment.

Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.

• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities:

Provide analytical support for Research Security Program activities.

• Support the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated research security program.
• Protect critical research and help secure the academic environment from undue foreign influence.
• Support effective implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-33), Texas HB-127, and Texas GA-48 requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the Program Manager, Research Security on program initiatives and priorities.

Conduct research security reviews and risk assessments.

• Review OSINT in response to entity check requests from Legal, Strategic Industry Ventures, Office of Technology Commercialization, and other internal departments.
• Apply analytical skills and independent judgment to assess research security risks.
• Facilitate research security risk reviews related to new faculty hires.
• Conduct risk reviews associated with federal and state funded awards.
• Support research security assessments related to international travel and other activities when appropriate.

Monitor compliance and identify potential risks.

• Conduct research security reviews of faculty and researcher international outside activities.
• Identify and mitigate risks to the institution related to external engagements.
• Foster compliance with university, state, and federal regulations, policies, and requirements associated with U.S. government research funding.

Maintain subject matter expertise and program awareness.

• Maintain knowledge of evolving research security program requirements and best practices.
• Participate in national research security discussions and professional networks.
• Monitor changes, requirements, and interpretations of federal and state regulations and agency policies.
• Provide informed analysis and recommendations based on emerging research security trends.

Support departmental and institutional priorities.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

Required: Bachelor's Degree

Preferred: Master's Degree

Experience:

Required: Two years sponsored research, conflicts of interest, research integrity, international relations, or national security.

Preferred: Experience in counterintelligence, supply chain security, security clearance, risk assessments, executive briefing skills, intelligence analysis, due diligence, investigations, procurement oversight, and/or regulatory review. Experience conducting open-source intelligence (OSINT) research, evaluating third-party entities and vendors, assessing foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) risks, and interpreting federal and state regulations related to research funding and supply chain security is highly preferred.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html