Research Compliance Officer – Conflict of Interest

Department
Provost URA: Research Integrity/COI
About the Department
University Research Administration (URA) has the responsibility to review and provide institutional endorsement for all proposals to federal and other external sponsors (excluding gifts), assuring compliance with University policies and sponsor terms and conditions. URA is the institutional authority for the negotiation and acceptance of financial support or other contractually binding obligations in the form of a contract, grant, or agreement, including material transfer agreements and clinical trials.
Job Summary
The Research Compliance Officer – Conflict of Interest administers the University’s Conflict of Interest/Conflict of Commitment (COI/COC) compliance programs. This mid-level role is part of the URA Research Compliance team, which includes conflict of interest, research integrity, research security, export controls, financial compliance and audits, and training.

The Officer is responsible for reviewing disclosures, supporting the development and monitoring of management plans, advising the research community on COI requirements, and helping ensure compliance with University policy and sponsor regulations. The role also works closely with internal partners across Research Administration and University stakeholders to support coordinated review of IRB protocols, foreign relationships, sponsored activities, and other research compliance matters.

This job uses best practices and subject matter expertise to support regulatory compliance in the University’s programs and activities. The Officer anticipates problems and develops systems to identify areas of risk and establish other programmatic functions. This role requires in-depth knowledge and experience; solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions; works independently; and acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

Responsibilities

COI Disclosure Assessment and Review

- Serve as a subject matter expert on applicable federal regulations and institutional policy, providing input on the development and improvement of COI-related policies, processes, and community practices.
- Review and analyze annual and research-specific conflict of interest disclosures to identify, assess, and document potential conflicts in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
- Evaluate disclosures for IRB protocols, contracts, grant proposals, and awards.
- Ensure required disclosures are complete, accurate, current, and on file by reviewing prior disclosures, sponsor documentation, CMS Open Payments, internal systems, and other relevant public information sources.
- Correspond with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, other academic appointees, and staff to obtain and clarify disclosure information and supporting documentation.
- Provide guidance to the research community on disclosure requirements, policy interpretation, and use of applicable systems and processes.
- Access and review relevant databases to confirm compliance with disclosure requirements and established review parameters.

- Assist the Compliance Specialist with similar reviews of grant proposals and awards when necessary.

- Generate and distribute annual Conflict of Commitment reports to unit leadership and/or their designees.

Management Plans and Monitoring

- Draft disclosure acknowledgment letters for review and approval.
- Assist in drafting, issuing, and maintaining COI management plans when conflicts are identified.
- Monitor compliance with approved management plans and document related activities.
- Perform spot checks of publications and related activities to confirm required conflict disclosures are included.
- Draft, distribute, and track conflict of interest management plans, coordinating with investigators and administrators to support timely completion of required actions.
- Maintains accurate and organized records of disclosure reviews, determinations, management plans, and related correspondence to support program integrity and reporting needs.

Research Community Support and Education

- Serve as a resource to the University community on COI policies, procedures, disclosure requirements, and related systems.
- Support the COI disclosure process, including intake, triage, review, follow-up, and issue resolution.
- Develops and administers COI-COC training for faculty and staff and maintenance of training and informational resources related to COI-COC on the URA website.
- Provides expertise for faculty and administrators in order to maximize compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, review and suggest improvements to administrative policies where appropriate.
- Assist with outreach, education, and training for faculty, postdoctoral fellows, academic appointees, and staff, including presentations, workshops, office hours, and other engagement activities.

Cross-Functional Research Compliance Collaboration

- Liaise and collaborate with colleagues in Export Controls, Research Security, Sponsored Operations, IRBs, grants administration, and departmental research administration.
- Review foreign relationship and activity disclosures in coordination with Research Compliance partners to support compliance with federal regulations, grants and institutional requirements.
- Review associated research funding portfolios and coordinate with pre-award and post-award teams to help ensure foreign components, outside appointments, affiliations, and other support are properly reported in proposals and progress reports.

Subject Matter Expertise and Program Improvement

- Apply knowledge of federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional policy to support compliant and effective COI program administration.
- Identify compliance risks, anticipate issues, and recommend process improvements and practical solutions.
- Contribute to the development, refinement, and implementation of institutional policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Guides the implementation of compliance activities designated by the University's strategic plans. Monitors University compliance with regulations and laws.
- Represents the University in audit proceedings before federal, state and local agencies. Prepares the University's position statements and responses to information requests.
- Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

- A Master's degree.
- Advanced degree (PhD, J.D.) or equivalent combination of training experience strongly preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

- Proficiency in federal regulations 42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F and 45 CFR Part 94.
- Familiarity with COI reporting requirements for federal agencies.
- Knowledge of Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and similar regulations.
- Ability to comprehend scientific writing in the form of research proposals, research protocols and journal publications.

- Strong computer skills including word processing, database management and spreadsheet skills (Microsoft Office suite and Adobe suite a must).
- Ability to develop proficiency and work with various sponsor/third-party electronic systems.

- Experience with Huron Research Suite strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

- Independence: Work independently with a high degree of initiative, curiosity and minimal supervision. Willingness to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and ability to effectively interact and collaborate with all levels of university administrators and faculty members. Make decisions independently that will have downstream impacts on the management of sponsored projects.

- Communication Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, with faculty and administrative staff at the University, and close collaboration with all staff within the office of University Research Administration.

- Service Orientation: Positive, service-oriented attitude with a courteous demeanor, maintaining professionalism in all interactions. Ability to develop and manage interpersonal relationships.

- Discretion and Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with absolute discretion and maintain confidentiality.

- Attention to Detail and Accuracy: Exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness in completing tasks accurately. Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Organizational and Multitasking Skills: Strong organizational skills with the ability to coordinate across different functions, meet deadlines, and navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced work environment. Interact by phone, email, online meetings or in person with faculty and administrative staff at the University and occasionally with staff of federal government, non-federal sponsors, and other institutions and organizations.

- Judgment and Project Management: Sound judgment with the ability to prioritize and anticipate potential issues and address them proactively.

- Adaptability and Feedback Reception: Stay current with technology and digital tools. Ability to maintain composure under pressure, work flexible hours as needed, and respond constructively to feedback.

Working Conditions

- Sit for 4 hours or more.
- Use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
- Use standard office equipment and troubleshoot IT equipment in a remote/hybrid environment.
- Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Application Documents

- Resume/CV (required)

- Cover Letter (preferred)

- Reference Contact Information (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Legal & Regulatory Affairs
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
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FLSA Status
Exempt
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Pay Range
$86,000.00 - $116,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.   A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.   Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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