Associate Vice President for Research Integrity

The University of Rochester seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its inaugural Associate Vice President for Research Integrity (AVP-RI). Reporting to the University’s Vice President for Research, the Associate Vice President for Research Integrity is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring of, and compliance with federal regulatory requirements related to research misconduct, responsible conduct of research (RCR), and conflict of interest for faculty and researchers; advancing RCR training and education; developing and administering policies relevant to areas of responsibility; and serving as a key resource for the University community with regard to issues related to integrity across the research enterprise. As a senior member of the Vice President for Research’s leadership team, the Associate Vice President will partner closely with the Vice President for Research, Provost, Deans and other staff and faculty from across the University in managing compliance activities and further enhancing the University’s culture of research compliance.

The AVP-RI will serve as the federally mandated institutional research integrity officer (RIO) and assume responsibility for research-related financial conflict of interest federal reporting requirements. The AVP-RI must maintain currency on policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to state laws, federal regulations, and national trends influencing issues of research integrity/compliance, and ensure that the Vice President for Research, other senior leaders, and stakeholders across the University are apprised of relevant information. The AVP-RI will also ensure that the University’s policies and procedures are current, effective, and understood.

The AVP-RI must be forward-thinking and proactive in considering the impact that evolving regulations and external factors may have on University-wide research plans, programs, and operations. The AVP-RI provides vision, leadership, and oversight, and is the University-wide resource in risk assessment and risk mitigation discussions in relation to research misconduct, conflict of interest, RCR, and research integrity. Alongside research deans from each school and key members of the Office of the Vice President for Research, the AVP-RI is a member of the Research Executive Committee.

The AVP-RI must be a highly visible member of the University community and continuously engaged with University stakeholders, communicating and demonstrating commitment to being a collaborative partner with departments and divisions across the institution. The AVP-RI will collaborate with colleagues in other units of the Office of the Vice President for Research and in other administrative areas of the University, including Office of Counsel, University Audit, URMC Compliance, and University Information Technology to build a culture of compliance. The AVP-RI will also work closely with the Faculty Research Policy Committee of the Faculty Senate.

The AVP-RI is expected to be an active participant in national professional organizations, bringing back to the University ideas about regulatory changes and best practices to position the University to its fullest advantage.

More information about the position can be found here.

Qualifications

The AVP-RI will have well-developed and tested leadership and collaboration qualities, extensive research compliance expertise, and experience working with researchers across disciplines. The successful candidate will have the highest level of integrity and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Viable candidates will have at least 10 years of experience in higher education, with at least 3 years of experience working in research and/or research compliance (including research misconduct, responsible conduct of research, and conflict of interest). If they are not coming from a peer academic or medical institution, they will demonstrate the ability to learn quickly and will have relevant research leadership experience with large, matrixed, and highly complicated organizations.

Successful candidates will bring a track record of effective leadership and collaboration and will demonstrate the following required competencies:

• A current and in depth understanding of the regulatory environment governing the conduct of academic research
• The ability to work with diverse constituents 
• Experience convening and coordinating committees and working groups
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with a close attention to details 

A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

The pay range for this position is $192,000 - $288,000 annually, which represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

To Apply

The University of Rochester has retained Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Craig Smith, Senior Partner, Ann K. Adams, Associate Partner, and Abigail Maynard, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email to Abigail (abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net). The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. Required application materials include a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should reflect how qualifications and experience match those described in this leadership profile, including examples of demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the context of the AVP-RI role.

The University of Rochester values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for persons regardless of age, color, disability, domestic violence status, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. Further, the University complies with all applicable nondiscrimination laws in the administration of its policies, admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs and activities.