IRB Vice Chair

Department: Ofc of Human Research Ethics - 621300

Career Area : Research Professionals

Final date to receive applications: 10/11/2026

Position Type: Temporary Staff (EHRA NF)

Position Title: IRB Vice Chair

Position Number:

Vacancy : N000897

FTE: 0.3

Hours Per Week: 12

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: Dependent on Experience/Qualifications

Proposed

Start Date:

11/02/2026

Estimated Duration of Appointment: 12 months

Be a Tar Heel!: A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities
. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit: The Office of Human Research Ethics (OHRE) administers, supports, and oversees the work of the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and all related activities at UNC-Chapel Hill. Any research project involving human subjects proposed by a member of the faculty, a postdoc, a staff member, or a student at UNC-Chapel Hill must be reviewed and approved by an IRB before that research may begin and before related grants may be funded.

These IRBs are federally mandated review committees, operating under regulations promulgated by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The IRBs and OHRE are critical components of UNC-Chapel Hills Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) that serves to protect the rights and welfare of more than one million human research subjects who take part in more than 6,000 different research projects each year at UNC-Chapel Hill. All components of the HRPP must work together to ensure institutional compliance with ethical principles and regulatory requirements.

Position Summary: The Office of Human Research Ethics (OHRE) is responsible for ethical and regulatory oversight of research at UNC-Chapel Hill that involves human subjects. OHRE administers, supports, guides and oversees the work of the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), and all related activities. These IRBs are federally mandated review committees, operating under regulations from the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP, DHHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The OHRE and IRBs are critical components of a program that serves to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects. All components of this program, coordinated through the OHRE, must work together to ensure institutional compliance with ethical principles and regulatory requirements. Deficiencies in this area have led to very public suspensions of research at several peer universities, which have been very costly and damaging for these institutions.

As serious as this would be, an even greater harm could result if errors or lack of proper oversight by this office resulted in harms to human subjects. The IRB Vice Chair reports to the Director of the Office of Human Research Ethics and through the Director to the Vice Chancellor for Research. The Co-Chairs are responsible for reviewing all research involving human subjects conducted across all areas of campus, including Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, Nursing, Dentistry and Academic Affairs.

They ensure that the rights and welfare of human subjects are adequately protected, in accordance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. This includes both expedited (in office) reviews and convened meetings of the IRB members (full board).

Minimum

Education and Experience Requirements:

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level background in sponsored research administration, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign…