Research Security Officer

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Research Security Officer reports to the Director of Research Compliance and is responsible for the direct oversight and management of the Research Security Program.

This person plays an essential role in implementing policies, ensuring regulatory compliance with export controls and foreign influence guidelines, performing risk assessments, developing System Security Plans (SSPs) in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology (OIT), and managing and tracking mandatory research security training for researchers and staff who handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and conduct research subject to export control regulations.

Implement
Research
Security
Programs: Develop, implement, and administer research security programs and policies in alignment with institutional, governmental, and sponsor guidelines.

Ensure
Regulatory
Compliance: Interpret and apply regulations related to export controls (e.g., EAR and ITAR), foreign influence, and institutional conflict-of-interest policies.

Conduct
Risk
Assessments: Perform security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in research projects and processes.

Work
Schedule
Flexibility: Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

A Bachelor’s degree is required. Master's preferred. A degree in Engineering, Biology, Law, or a related field desired.

A minimum of three (3) years of work experience is required.

Experience conducting research security risk assessments, developing mitigation plans, managing complex compliance cases, and monitoring corrective actions is also required.

Experience with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), NSPM-33, CHIPS and Science Act requirements, and federal research security program guidance is required.

Experience managing sensitive research security investigations, incident response, or complex matters
involving legal counsel, information security, and institutional leadership preferred. Experience collaborating with federal agencies and navigating sensitive or contentious compliance matters desired. Experience developing, delivering, tracking, and evaluating research security training programs, including role-based training is a plus.

Experience with pre-award and post-award processes, federal contract requirements, research agreements, subawards, and electronic research administration systems preferred.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to…