Research Security & Compliance Specialist

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

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Research Security Cybersecurity Specialist to evaluate research computing environments against federal cybersecurity standards and data protection regulations. This exempt, full-time role works with PI teams, IT service providers, and campus units to drive compliant research programs.

The position emphasizes independent assessment, clear guidance, and proactive collaboration to align research practices with NSPM-33 and evolving federal

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of NIST cybersecurity frameworks (800-171 and 800-53).
• Ability to quickly learn evolving regulatory frameworks and agency requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with non-technical audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and consultative skills in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Independent worker with sound judgement and manage dynamic workloads.

Responsibilities

• Assess cybersecurity posture of research labs and PI computing environments against federal standards.
• Provide expert guidance on data security requirements for federally sponsored research.
• Monitor regulatory developments and contribute to System Security Plans and compliance docs.
• Collaborate with campus IT organizations to coordinate on compliance questions and incident response.
• Develop and deliver training materials on cybersecurity compliance for researchers and staff.

Skills

NIST 800-171

NIST 800-53

CMMC

DFARS

FISMA

NSPM-33

Policy interpretation

Communication skills

Research collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, IT, CS, or related field

3+ years of full-time cybersecurity experience

Job description

University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Research Security Cybersecurity Specialist to evaluate research computing environments against federal cybersecurity standards and data protection regulations. This exempt, full-time role works with PI teams, IT service providers, and campus units to drive compliant research programs.

The position emphasizes independent assessment, clear guidance, and proactive collaboration to align research practices with NSPM-33 and evolving federal