IRB Administrator
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. These values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.
Position Summary:
The Office of Research Integrity supports the Rice research community’s highest standards of research integrity and scholarly excellence. The office partners with faculty, staff, and students to foster an innovative and productive research environment within an appropriate ethical, legal, and professional framework. Through collaboration, education, and administrative support, the office helps ensure research activities are conducted responsibly and in compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Administrator, under general supervision, administers basic IRB protocol activities, including submissions, reports, renewals, and revisions, to support oversight responsibilities related to human research protections. The IRB Administrator ensures compliance with applicable government and institutional regulations while supporting an active workflow for compliance committee reviews.
Ideal Candidate Statement:
We are seeking a detail‑oriented professional with a background in compliance or lab environments who views regulatory oversight as a collaborative partnership. The ideal candidate excels at navigating the intersection of academic innovation and federal requirements, offering clear guidance to university stakeholders. Success in this role requires the ability to manage competing deadlines with composure and a desire to assist in shaping policies that keep the university at the forefront of ethical research.
Workplace Requirements:
This position offers a flexible work schedule, with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
Hiring Salary: The expected hiring salary is $56,000–$67,000 per year
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree
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1 year of related experience (e.g., working in research compliance, experience with human research projects, research project management, sponsored programs administration)
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis may be substituted.
Skills:
Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to spot inconsistencies in complex forms and documents
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to quickly learn specialized database software
Ability to handle sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and professional decorum
Ability to work independently and within a small team environment
Superior customer service orientation with demonstrated initiative, judgment, creativity, and problem‑solving skills
Initiative to identify and implement business process improvements
Preferences:
Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or public health
Interest in pursuing the Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification or Certification in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC) once eligible
Familiarity with human ethics and compliance frameworks (e.g., Belmont Report, the Common Rule)
Essential Functions:
Conducts initial administrative completeness checks on routine submissions, ensuring all required approvals, recruitment materials, and consent documents are included prior to review
Evaluates exempt protocols for regulatory compliance through in‑depth reviews of key study elements and consults with research personnel to refine protocols for compliance
Serves as the first point of contact for the IRB help desk, assisting researchers with basic navigation of the online protocol management system and general questions
Maintains electronic business records to verify compliance with federal or accreditation inspections
Assists in the preparation of after‑action reports, program reviews, and federal reports for the compliance program
Follows up on post‑approval issues; prepares correspondence; takes notes on discussions or actions during compliance meetings
Performs other duties as assigned
Additional Functions:
Supports research compliance administration functions, including auditing support, records management, communications, and involvement in special projects
Supports departmental initiatives in a team‑based environment
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Administrator, under general supervision, administers basic IRB protocol activities, including submissions, reports, renewals, and revisions, to support oversight responsibilities related to human research protections. The IRB Administrator ensures compliance with applicable government and institutional regulations while supporting an active workflow for compliance committee reviews.