Research Security Specialist (Compliance)

Georgia Tech; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Tech seeks a Research Security Specialist to implement and maintain security protocols protecting research technology assets and data at the Atlanta campus.

The role conducts security assessments, monitors incidents, and collaborates with IT and research teams to strengthen the security posture and ensure compliance with federal and state requirements. This is a full-time, regular position within GTRI's Research Security department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six or more years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of security standards for classified facilities and incident response.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing, implementing, and enforcing security policies, procedures, and protocols to protect research data and facilities.
• Conduct security assessments, vulnerability scans, and risk analyses to identify security vulnerabilities and threats.
• Monitor security systems, access controls, and surveillance technologies to detect and respond to security incidents and breaches.
• Provide security training and guidance to researchers and staff on best practices and protocols.
• Support security compliance checks, audits, and regulatory assessments to ensure adherence to standards.
• Participate in security incident response, investigations, and remediation efforts to mitigate risks.
• Maintain security documentation and incident reports to track activities and compliance.
• Stay updated on security trends and technologies to enhance protections.
• Collaborate with security, IT, and research teams to address concerns and breaches.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Security policies

Threat assessment

Incident response

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Access control systems

Intrusion detection systems

Job description

About Us

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech’s mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: Students are our top priority. We strive for excellence. We thrive on diversity. We celebrate collaboration. We champion innovation. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression. We nurture the wellbeing of our community. We act ethically. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Job Summary

The Research Security Specialist implements and maintains security protocols, systems, and procedures to protect research technology assets and data. They conduct security assessments, monitor security incidents, and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance the security posture of research technology environments.

Full-Time, Regular.

Responsibilities

• Job Duty 1 - Assist in the development, implementation, and enforcement of security policies, procedures, and protocols to protect research data and facilities.
• Job Duty 2 - Conduct security assessments, vulnerability scans, and risk analyses to identify security vulnerabilities and potential threats.
• Job Duty 3 - Monitor security systems, access controls, and surveillance technologies to detect and respond to security incidents and breaches.
• Job Duty 4 - Provide security training, awareness, and guidance to research staff, employees, and stakeholders on security best practices and protocols.
• Job Duty 5 - Assist in security compliance checks, audits, and regulatory assessments to ensure adherence to security standards and data protection regulations.
• Job Duty 6 - Participate in security incident response, investigations, and remediation efforts to mitigate risks and protect research assets.
• Job Duty 7 - Maintain security documentation, incident reports, and security logs to track security incidents, response activities, and compliance efforts.
• Job Duty 8 - Stay updated on security trends, threats, and security technologies to enhance security measures and protect research assets from potential risks and vulnerabilities.
• Job Duty 9 - Collaborate with security, Information Technology, and research teams to address security concerns, incidents, and breaches in research operations.
• Job Duty 10 - Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Experience

Six or more years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of physical security standards for classified facilities including intrusion detection systems, access control systems, and security container requirements.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills for preparing security processes and procedures, security plans and briefing senior leadership and government officials.
• Experience with DCSA processes, including facility clearances (FCL), CAGE code management, and DD254 interpretation.
• In-depth knowledge of 32 CFR 117 (NISPOM), ICD 705, and other Intelligence Community Directives governing classified research and development programs.
• Possess TS/SCI clearance with experience working SAP security.
• Knowledge of security requirements including DD254 contract security classification specifications.
• Experience coordinating security reviews for publications, presentations, and patent applications containing classified or sensitive information.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

SKILLS

• Performs all the standard and technical aspects of the job
• Applies in-depth professional, technical, or industry knowledge to manage significantly complex assignments/projects/programs
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of a particular field of specialization and Institute policies, practices, and procedures

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

Other Information

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will be required to drive.
• This role is not considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position will not travel 5%.
• This position does require security clearance.

Location: Atlanta, GA

Salary Job Grade R07

Salary range is dependent on candidates experiences and skills that ranges from $72,039.00 - $121,746.00

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Other Information

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the non-profit, applied research arm of Georgia Tech. This position is in the Research Security department of GTRI.

Background Check

Successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19298143/latest/