Research Security Compliance Specialist III

Rochester Institute of Technology; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology is seeking a Research Security and Compliance Specialist to serve as the lead resource for research security and sponsored research compliance across federally funded and industry-sponsored projects.

You will coordinate compliance with CMMC 2.0, FCI, CUI, HIPAA, GDPR, and related data protection requirements, partner with investigators and sponsors to translate complex regulations into practical policies, and develop training and controls that enable research

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field and 5 years of relevant experience.
• Equivalency may be considered with education and experience.
• Experience with sponsored research compliance and federal standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversees compliance component of CMMC program for sponsored research cybersecurity.
• Assists with identifying cybersecurity and controlled-data obligations during proposal development, contract review, award set up, data use agreement review and project initiation.
• Provides gap analysis and creates individualized information research security control plans for projects as necessary.
• Provides guidance, training, and consultation to research community, including developing and delivering training.
• Advises research community on information research security regulations, changes, and compliance processes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Information security

Regulatory compliance

Risk assessment

Federal regulations

Communication

Technical writing

Cross-functional

Data protection

Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Position Highlights

• Serve as RIT's lead resource for research security and sponsored research compliance, supporting federally funded and industry-sponsored research projects.
• Coordinate compliance efforts related to CMMC 2.0, FCI, CUI, HIPAA, NSPM-33, GDPR, and other research security and data protection requirements.
• Partner with principal investigators, sponsors, and campus stakeholders to assess compliance needs, develop project-specific security documentation, support audits and assessments, and ensure sponsored research activities meet regulatory and sponsor expectations.
• Help translate complex sponsor and regulatory requirements into practical processes, policies, training, and institutional controls that enable research success while maintaining compliance.
• Promote a culture of ethics, accountability, and compliance across the university's research enterprise.

This position is fully on campus and is not eligible for remote work.

Sponsored Research Services, Office of the Vice President for Research

Sponsored Research Services (SRS) supports RIT's research community by providing guidance and oversight throughout the sponsored research lifecycle. Working closely with faculty, research staff, and campus partners, SRS helps ensure that research activities meet sponsor requirements and applicable regulations while advancing the university's research mission.

The Research Security and Compliance Specialist plays a key role in strengthening RIT's research security and compliance framework. This position collaborates with stakeholders across the university, including the Information Security Office, Research Computing, Information & Technology Services, Institute Audit, and academic units, to support secure research practices, data protection, and regulatory compliance. Through partnership, education, and process development, the team helps researchers navigate evolving security requirements and successfully manage sponsored research projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversees compliance component of RIT's CMMC program for sponsored research cybersecurity. Assists cross-functional team with policy creation, implementation, operations, program roadmap, requirements, tracking of compliance gaps, and preparation for self-assessment and third-party assessment. Provides final compliance sign-off on processes needed to comply with federal and sponsor standards and other information research security standards
• Ensures projects requiring protected research data are reviewed and supported before work begins. Assists with identifying cybersecurity and controlled-data obligations during proposal development, contract review, award set up, data use agreement review and project initiation.
• Provides gap analysis and creates individualized information research security control plans for projects as necessary. Provides compliance certifications to sponsors. Documents processes and records demonstrating RIT reviews, attestations, and required training occurred on every sponsored project
• Provides guidance, training, and consultation to research community, including developing and delivering training
• Advises research community on information research security regulations, changes, and compliance processes
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations that govern information research compliance standards
• Knowledge of federal cybersecurity and controlled-research-data requirements impacting sponsored research
• Understanding of network security, firewalls, encryption, cloud computing standards, and workstation security
• Skill in risk assessment and mitigation in the management of research compliance strategies
• Skill in effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders regarding complex or technical topics
• Skill in technical, legal, and compliance writing
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies

Minimum Education & Experience

• Master's degree in related field
• 5 years of relevant experience
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Job Level Overview

Specialized Contributor Level 3 - A senior-level role requiring broad understanding of the profession or field of work. Independently leads diverse and often complex assignments, projects, or programs. May act as a mentor and guide less experienced staff.

FLSA Category

Exempt

Work Location

On Campus

Compensation

$72,500.00 - $116,000.00 Annual

Application Materials

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.