Senior Director, Research Integrity, Assurance, and Security: Office of Research, Innovation

The Senior Director for Research Integrity, Assurance, and Security (RIAS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) plays a strategic role in assuring the integrity and security of the institution’s diverse research and innovation portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration within the Office of Research, Innovation, & Economic Development (ORIED), the Senior Director oversees the RIAS team and RIAS programs developed to support the implementation of efficient, effective risk‑based policies, procedures, and decision‑making processes that assure the integrity and security of UT’s research and innovation programs, including meeting the research security requirements described in NSPM-33 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

The incumbent and the RIAS team he/she leads are responsible for supporting the development of a strong responsible conduct of research (RCR) culture at UT, advancing research integrity and security objectives and values across all UT organizations. The Senior Director supports an integrative set of programs that include: export control, foreign influence, conflicts of interest and commitment, facility security, sensitive and controlled research, insider threats associated with domestic and international research projects, research misconduct, and the protection of human participants in research.

The Senior Director for RIAS collaborates with other related units at UT to ensure the university is providing UT faculty, staff, and students with access to state‑of‑the‑art research infrastructure, services, and training essential to a strong RCR culture.

The Senior Director works in partnership with other university stakeholders to implement a risk‑based approach to support RCR and to ensure RIAS programs meet or exceed UT’s and state and federal regulatory expectations. The incumbent works closely with the university’s empowered officials to develop and implement programs that ensure compliance with required protocols, regulations, and laws. The Senior Director also serves as one of UT’s primary points of contact with federal agencies, federal law enforcement and security organizations on research matters related to national security and export control.

This position has supervisory responsibilities for the staff of four ORIED teams:
The Human Research Protection Program;
Quality Assurance & Improvement;
Research Integrity & Conflicts of Interest; and Research Security & Export Control. The position will primarily be in person in Knoxville, Tennessee, with some remote work flexibility.