Research Integrity Officer

Position Summary:

The Research Integrity Officer (RIO) will serve a critical role in the Office of Integrity and Responsible Conduct (“OIRC”). This position is key to fostering a culture rooted in integrity, responsibility, and adherence to expectations and requirements for responsible conduct at the University of Maryland, College Park (“UMD”), particularly regarding the research that is conducted under the institution’s auspices.

The RIO will serve as the institutional official responsible for administering UMD’s policy and procedures for addressing allegations of research misconduct in compliance with relevant federal regulations, guidance, or other sources of authority or sponsor requirements. In this capacity, the RIO has primary responsibility for ensuring that UMD complies with all such requirements, including by maintaining acute awareness of any regulatory, guidance, or policy changes and developing deep knowledge of related best practices in the handling of research misconduct cases. The RIO will also support the development and delivery of RCR programming/training and other research integrity initiatives, participate in policy development, and serve as an institutional resource regarding research misconduct and detrimental research practices. Through these and related efforts, the RIO will play a crucial role in the continued fostering of a research environment that promotes research integrity and the responsible conduct of research, discourages research misconduct, and deals promptly with allegations or evidence of possible research misconduct in accordance with the institution’s compliance obligations as a recipient of federal funds and its continued dedication to realizing the University’s mission with regard to excellence in research.

The RIO will report to the Executive Director of OIRC.

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

Earned J.D. or advanced degree in a STEM field/scientific discipline from an accredited institution.

Experience:

A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience (e.g., in research compliance and/or administration, in an academic research environment or in a regulatory role), including at least three (3) years of experience as a RIO or in a position supporting a RIO.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven experience conducting complex investigations, including in accordance with the time constraints associated with federal regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of current best practices in addressing research misconduct and fostering research integrity and familiarity with applicable federal regulations.
• Ability to perform basic forensic analysis of evidence/data and use forensic applications (e.g., to analyze/detect alleged image manipulation and plagiarism).
• Demonstrated dedication to ensuring due process in research misconduct proceedings.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, superior writing and documentation skills, and the ability to interact effectively and efficiently with a variety of internal and external individuals or agency officials/representatives.
• Ability to interpret federal regulations and related guidance, as well as to distill and explain the requisite information to different audiences (e.g., institutional leadership, general counsel, or parties in cases).
• Ability to provide guidance and instruction to others.
• Ability to address highly sensitive and potentially emotionally challenging situations with tact, discretion, and integrity.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple, ongoing, and complex projects.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, personal maturity, integrity, and ability to maintain neutrality in challenging situations.
• Keen intellect and issue-spotting capability, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an appreciation for detail and thoroughness.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population with cultural competence, diplomacy, and sensitivity.

Preferences:

• Earned Ph.D. in a STEM field/scientific discipline.
• Experience working in a research group or clinical/laboratory setting.
• Experience working at a large, Research 1 (“R1”) institution with a research portfolio and funding profile that is similarly scaled to UMD.
• Significant experience with forensic analysis, including image analysis, for research misconduct matters.
• Significant experience engaging with federal funding agencies and regulatory oversight bodies.
• Experience addressing detrimental research practices.
• Experience advising on authorship/publication or data-related practices.
• Experience advising on policies and procedures related to research misconduct/research integrity issues, institutional requirements/expectations, or investigations.
• Knowledge of the complexities surrounding investigations into sensitive issues.
• Experience drafting/creating RCR content and/or developing/delivering training sessions or workshops on research integrity, research ethics, or the responsible conduct of research (RCR).
• Ease with presenting information to committees and faculty audiences on research integrity-related topics.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $152,000 - $190,000