Research Security Specialist

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

University benefits

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

The University of Missouri-Columbia is seeking a Research Security Specialist in Columbia, MO to support research security, export controls, and sanctions compliance across the institution. You will conduct risk analyses, reviews, and due diligence, coordinate controlled research onboarding, and work with researchers and administrators to mitigate compliance risks.

This role emphasizes screening, documentation, and administrative support for the research security team, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and at least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with compliance monitoring, risk assessments, and investigations.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Familiarity with higher education, government contracts, or regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Perform restricted party screening, due diligence, and open-source research.
• Document review results and elevate high-risk matters for review.
• Support export control reviews involving parties, destinations, end users, and technologies.
• Develop and maintain Technology Control Plans and related controlled research documents.
• Track corrective actions and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Provide administrative support for the research security team, including records management.

Skills

Compliance monitoring

Risk assessments

Open-source research

Due diligence reviews

Investigations

Discretion and judgment

Documentation

Case management

Workflow adherence

Reporting dashboards

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Hiring Department

Ethics,Compliance & Audit Svcs

Job Description

The Research Security Specialist supports the University of Missouri's research security, controlled research, export controls, and sanctions compliance programs through risk analysis, compliance monitoring, due diligence reviews, and stakeholder engagement. This position conducts research security reviews, supports export control compliance activities and coordinates controlled research onboarding and monitoring, and assists with the execution of institutional compliance processes designed to protect research activities and maintain compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies. The Research Security Specialist works closely with other members of the Research Security team, faculty, researchers, research administrators, information security personnel and other institutional stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks associated with domestic and international research activities.

Using existing processes to conduct reviews of research activities, international collaborations, foreign engagements, visitors, travel, and other activities to identify research security, export control, and other compliance requirements.

Perform restricted party screening, due diligence reviews, and open-source research using approved screening tools and authoritative sources.

Document review and screening results, identify potential concerns, and elevate complex or high-risk matters for additional review and resolution.

Provide support for export control reviews involving parties, destinations, end users, end uses, technologies, equipment, software, and research activities.

Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and periodic review of Technology Control Plans and related controlled research documentation.

Track corrective actions and follow up with responsible stakeholders to support timely completion of remediation activities.

Provide administrative support for the research security team, to include records management and coordinating with stakeholders.

Shift

Monday - Friday 8:00-5:00pm

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting compliance monitoring, risk assessments, investigations, due diligence reviews, intelligence analysis, audits, or other structured compliance reviews or assessments.
• Experience conducting open-source research, due diligence reviews, risk assessments, other investigative research, or review activities.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information and operate with a high degree of discretion, sound judgment, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with managing compliance reviews, investigations, audit findings, corrective actions, case management activities, or projects requiring structured follow-up and documentation.
• Experience following workflows, standard operating procedures, internal controls, compliance processes, and checklists.
• Experience using dashboards, metrics, or reporting tools.
• Familiarity with higher education, federal contracting, government, military, defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, research administration, research compliance, or another highly regulated environment.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $50,000-$67,000 annually

Grade: GGS 9E

University Title: Compliance Manager

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Resume/CV

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.