Job no: 514322
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Research Compliance
Union: PSU
Categories: Laboratory & Research, Administrative/Office Support

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

About Research & Engagement

The UMass Amherst community engages more than 30,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $200 million in 2021.

Job Summary

The Research Compliance Analyst, working with research compliance committees and the Research Compliance Specialist, provides support and guidance for the operation and monitoring of campus regulatory compliance programs with specific focus on research involving animals and potentially biohazardous agents in research. The primary responsibilities of the position are to manage research compliance procedures, develop appropriate training activities, and provide service-oriented administrative support to the campus research community.

Essential Functions

• Remains current on federal regulations related to the use of animals in research, including the Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWARs) and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, and the use of potentially biohazardous agents in research. 
  
• Reviews Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols assigned, and assists investigators and researcher personnel in preparing protocols. Works closely with the IACUC program coordinator to process protocols using the electronic protocol system.
  
• Prepares reports on PAM findings for assigned PAM caseload. Recommends corrective actions to researchers and to the IACUC as needed. Follows up to ensure corrective actions are both completed and documented.
  
• Manages requests for animal use records from outside agencies and individuals, including record review and redaction, cost estimates, and coordination of researcher/faculty/staff involvement in fulfilling requests.
  
• Participates in inspections by governmental oversight agencies.
  
• May serve as voting member on institutional compliance committees, including the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the IACUC, the Radiation Use Committee (RUC), and the Institutional Chemical Safety Committee (ICSC), depending upon caseload assignment.
  
• Provides administrative support to the IBC. Attends IBC meetings and pre-review rDNA and synthetic DNA registrations to triage.
  
• Researches best practices adopted by UMass’s peer institutions and makes recommendations to the Research Compliance Specialist and IACUC for changes at UMass that raise the level of UMass’s animal use compliance program to be comparable with best practices nationwide.
  
• Maintains strong working relationships and serves as the primary contact for Research & Engagement with UHS/OHSP for occupational health matters.
  
• Documents the results identified during the facility inspections and reports back to the researchers for resolution of any findings, and prepares the draft facility inspection report prior to the program review.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree, plus five (5) years of related experience OR Master’s degree, plus three (3) years of related experience.
• Prior experience with the interpretation and application of regulations, laws, policies, and procedures, preferably in a research administration/compliance setting.
  
• Excellent analytical and investigative skills. Ability to exercise good judgment in the advice and guidance offered to faculty regarding compliance.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to establish productive relationships with diverse campus and external constituents that reflects a strong “client service” commitment.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Solid understanding of the regulatory framework for the conduct of research.
  
• Familiarity with database applications and other protocol management tools for supporting research administration.
  
• Experience conducting/administering research.  Experience with animal use protocols.
  
• Experience serving on compliance committees.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours a week.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

PSU Level 27

PSU Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search may remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: May 23 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: