Research Security and Export Control Officer

George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 143,000 - 239,000; Full time

Job summary

George Washington University is seeking a Research Security and Export Control Officer to lead the development and implementation of export control and research security policies across the university, advising faculty, staff, postdocs and leadership.

The role coordinates with OGC, OECR, International Affairs and Sponsored Projects, manages risk screening, and provides determinations on licenses and exemptions while building training and outreach across GW.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree with 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 8 years of experience.
• Experience with Export Control Regulations (EAR/ITAR/OFAC) and licensing in academic settings is preferred.
• Strong ability to develop policies, training and cross-functional guidance.
• Experience collaborating with multiple university offices and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive export control and research security program across campus
• Lead policy development, training, and compliance across offices including OGC and OECR
• Provide export determinations and prepare technology control plans as needed
• Oversee restricted-party screening, risk escalation, and auditable record-keeping
• Collaborate with Sponsored Projects and researchers to ensure compliance with regulations

Skills

Export control analysis

Licensing knowledge

Academic environment expertise

Compliance program development

Stakeholder training

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree or higher preferred

JD or advanced degree preferred

Job description

I. JOB OVERVIEW

The Research Security and Export Control Officer is a leader in the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance (ORIC) within the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). This position will lead the development and implementation of export control and research security policies and procedures throughout the University, overseeing training and rendering expert advice to faculty, staff, postdocs and University leadership in all export- and research security-related matters. The position will be responsible for building out GW's export control and research security program through collaboration and interfacing with multiple offices across campus. The position will lead the development, oversight, management and record-keeping aspects of the GW export control and research security compliance programs. The position will monitor federal laws, rules and regulations that pertain to export controls and research security and lead the development, revision and training on related policies and procedures, as well as the education and communication tools necessary to support compliance. This position collaborates with the GW offices across the University, including but not limited to the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel (OGC), the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Risk (OECR), International Affairs, Office of Sponsored Projects, and GW Information Technology. It also works as needed with outside consultants and liaises with the respective government agencies for compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State; the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) regulations under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive research security and export control program which engages with offices across campus to support research, academic and business processes to be effective and compliant
• Collaborate with University colleagues in cybersecurity, travel, and beyond to drive a robust compliance response to the requirements of NSPM-33.
• Continuous review and development of the program to adjust to the growing and changing requirements of export control and research security laws and regulations, and federal and non-federal sponsor requirements.
• Manage the University's restricted-party screening solution relating to legal obligations and potential research security risks, including cross-functional training, the development, review and approval of relevant SOPs, and serving as the primary point of escalation for identified risks.
• Serve as the University's Export Control Officer.
• Identify, train, and advise on travel requirements for embargoed and sanctioned countries.
• Manage the University's research security program, including development of policies and procedures to respond to research security issues, communicate program requirements to stakeholders, and coordinate with other responsible parties across the University.
• Provide export determinations on the classification and jurisdiction for technology, products, materials, equipment and software. Draft technology control plans when required or deemed necessary. Determine availability of export license exemptions and exceptions for export-controlled items and information supplied by vendors, contractors, collaborators and other third parties during the course of University research.
• Lead the development and maintenance of an export control and research security training program, including in-person and web-based instruction, training modules, workshops, etc.; ensure the export control and research security websites and web-based resources remain up to date; serve as the subject matter resource for researchers involved in export-controlled projects.
• Serve as the University's expert resource, advise research faculty and study teams, University leadership, and the Empowered Official, regarding Federal and State laws, and University policy, governing export controls and related foreign matters.
• Collaborate closely with the Office of Sponsored Projects to provide timely guidance on export control-related matters in proposals and awards. Review relevant domestic and/or international sponsored and non-sponsored research agreements. Disseminate guidance in aims of partnering with other offices beyond OVPR.
• Provide export determinations including applicability of the Fundamental Research Exclusion.
• Review and provide guidance on documents to which the University is a party, including H1-B visa submissions, foundation grants, NDAs, licensing agreements, and material transfer agreements, to ensure availability of applicable export license exemptions and exclusions.
• Develop appropriate infrastructure in collaboration with University partners to provide for the compliant transfer of controlled information, defense articles, defense services, or other export-controlled software or technology.
• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective export policies and procedures to enhance, maintain and support the University's export control and research security compliance program.
• In concert with OGC, ensure correspondence with U.S. and foreign governments related to export control topics are executed properly and in accordance with University standards and business objectives. These include registrations, export licenses, classification requests, technology control plans, technical assistance agreements and commodity jurisdiction requests, as well as related reporting and presentations.
• Responsible for the University export compliance risk assessment process, including conducting periodic reviews of procedures, reports, and systems to identify hidden risks or potential deficiencies, and ensure effectiveness of the compliance programs procedures, reports, and systems to identify hidden risks or potential deficiencies, and ensure effectiveness of the compliance program.
• Maintain auditable records of all relevant documents pertaining to the export of materials or technologies subject to US export controls.
• Develop relationships with various internal functional groups to understand and execute in support of the University's research enterprise.
• Attend export control training sessions conducted by Government agencies, including, among others, Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State and non-governmental entities.
• Monitor and provide analysis of federal export control and research security regulatory developments that affect the University's export and research security compliance efforts. Explore, on an ongoing basis, possible adoption and implementation of new advances and efficiencies in export and sanctions compliance, including software, systems, and training programs.
• Participate in Association of University Export Control Officer (AUECO) and other relevant national organizations and trainings.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Office Vice President of Research (OVPR)

Family: Research Administration

Sub-Family: Research Compliance

Stream: Individual Contributor

Level: Level 5

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Will this job require the employee to work on site?: Yes

Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Posting Number: S014557

Job Open Date: 11/06/2026

Hiring Range

$142,545.11 - $239,389.10

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience with export control analysis, education, licensing or compliance either at a US university, federal government agency, or defense, engineering or life sciences industry.
• JD or advanced degree in science, engineering, or allied field is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of Export Control Regulations (Export Administration Regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations) and associated licensing requirements.
• Detailed knowledge of export control regulations as they apply in an academic environment. Possess general knowledge of the types or regulations governing international research collaborations, both within and outside the area of export control.
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent recommendations for action as it relates to complex and varying individual export control situations, including identifying the applicable regulations, exemptions and exclusions for a given situation.
• Thorough understanding of intellectual property issues as they relate to ownership, licensing, patenting and transfer of materials and knowledge in U.S. and abroad.
• Experience in academic research, research administration and/or export compliance, engaging faculty, staff and students in a multicultural environment to facilitate compliance with export regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 10 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 8 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.