Career Center

Chief Research Compliance Officer

Cornell University seeks a Chief Research Compliance Officer to oversee the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance and its response, risk, and audit activities across multiple Cornell campuses. This established, executive position within Cornell's Office for Research & Innovation reports to the Vice President for Research & Innovation and directs a team of research compliance and assurance professionals.

Join Our Journey

Your Mission

As the Chief Research Compliance Officer (CRCO) for Cornell, you will oversee and coordinate institutional programs that promote a culture of research compliance and the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and responsibility within our university community. You will work with faculty, senior leadership, and administrators to enhance research compliance efforts and coordinate responses to violations of research standards, if needed. As head of the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, you will lead an established team responsible for a broad array of research compliance and assurance activities. Additionally, you will serve as the Research Integrity Officer for Cornell University and the Owner of the federal Select Agent Program.

You will bring to the role your extensive experience interpreting, applying, and advising on federal research regulations and related laws and your record of partnering effectively with others in a shared responsibility for compliance.

As a people manager and university leader, you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate challenges at work and in life, because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.

Responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing and developing ORIA staff to excel in their vital research compliance, assurance, and integrity roles.
• Collaborating with Weill Cornell Medicine, in a One Cornell approach to institutional research compliance and integrity.
• Monitoring internal and external research compliance environments for potential risks and vulnerabilities and assuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Advising university senior leaders on policy and risk mitigation issues and collaborating on systems to address compliance and reporting obligations.
• Identifying strategic goals and initiatives in research integrity and compliance and partnering with other Cornell offices, including Office of General Counsel, Internal Audit, Financial Affairs, Environmental Health and Safety, and Human Resources.
• Serving as an institutional expert and advising executives, researchers, research administrators, and university compliance committees.
• Leading investigations into accusations of academic misconduct as the Research Integrity Officer.
• Developing and implementing policies, procedures, and communications related to research compliance and responsible conduct of research.
• Serving as Owner of the Select Agent Program and coordinating with the Responsible Official as needed to respond to situations involving select agents and toxins.
• Representing Cornell to external agencies, professional groups, and peer organizations to foster information exchanges and advocate for Cornell research interests.

What We Need
Send us a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. We will review applications as received. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

When evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:

• PhD or JD and 10+ years of progressively advanced experience in academic research, research administration and compliance, or sponsored research and compliance in higher education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in industry and/or governmental research compliance settings.
• Extensive knowledge of federal research regulations; the ability to successfully interpret and explain regulations and offer guidance with respect to particular situations and audiences; and the ability to assess regulatory issue impact on institutional business needs, researchers, and research programs.
• Experience in or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing. Proven experience connecting diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing practices to business goals.
• Record of success in leading, empowering, and delegating effectively to a team of professional staff.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to identify and utilize formal and informal decision-making networks, facilitate reconciliation of conflicts, and negotiate successful solutions.
• Ability to assess, develop, maintain, and deploy information systems to support the needs of a decentralized organization.
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively within a highly complex and diverse compliance environment.
• Successful record of working effectively and in partnership with others who have a shared responsibility for compliance.
• Record of successfully developing and implementing new compliance or organizational programming.
• Capable of successfully passing the required FBI Security Risk Assessment.

Additionally, we would like to see evidence of:

• Proven success in implementing compliance monitoring mechanisms.
• Experience interacting with regulators and an understanding of the ever-changing regulatory environment.
• Experience working with compliance-related issues in higher education or the public sector.

Why Choose Us

A hybrid work arrangement is possible for this position. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate a hybrid or remote work arrangement at any time.

Inclusive Culture: We are committed to creating a culture where every individual feels they belong, and we value psychological well-being, respect, and the contributions of all team members. Our leaders play a vital role in fostering the conditions where each person can thrive.

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.