Research Security Compliance Specialist III

Rochester Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 73,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology is seeking a Research Security and Compliance Specialist to be the lead resource for research security and sponsored research compliance. The role coordinates efforts related to CMMC 2.0, FCI, CUI, HIPAA, GDPR, and other requirements, translating complex sponsor and regulatory needs into practical policies and processes on campus.

You will partner with principal investigators, sponsors, and campus stakeholders to assess compliance needs, support audits and

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversees compliance component of RIT's CMMC program for sponsored research cybersecurity.
• Assists 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 setup, 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.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Cybersecurity

Stakeholder collaboration

Policy writing

Risk assessment

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 (SRS), Office of the Vice President for Research, supports RIT’s research community by providing guidance and oversight throughout the sponsored research lifecycle.

The Research Security and Compliance Specialist plays a key role in strengthening RIT’s research security and compliance framework.

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.

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.

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

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. 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. RIT 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. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. 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].

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology has a long-standing history of innovation that blends the arts, technology, and experiential learning. In addition to its main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT maintains a strong international presence with over 100 active global partnerships and international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. As of Fall 2024, total student enrollment across all campuses exceeded 21,000. Nationally recognized for its co‑op and internship programs, RIT is supported by more than 4,000 dedicated faculty and staff members committed to student success. Its 1,300‑acre suburban campus features cutting‑edge facilities that reflect RIT’s strengths in applied research, design, and workforce development.