Job Description
As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks qualified applicants for a full-time Director of Research Operations and Compliance to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by directing and overseeing the cohesive, efficient and legally compliant operation of research at the Marian University-Indianapolis campus and at the 16 Tech Innovation District.
The Director will be a member of the Research & Scholarship Administration (RSA) core team and report to the Assistant Provost for Research & Scholarship or a designee. Working collaboratively with university administration, the Director will implement and oversee appropriate practices for compliance with guidelines established by the supervisory units including but not limited to the RSA, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Review Board (IRB), Marian University, and agencies of the state and federal governments. Additionally, the Director will oversee the maintenance and day-to-day organization of research facilities, ensure instrumentation is in working order, and organize the basic operations of BSL1 and BSL2 research facilities and centralized procurement of research supplies. The Director will also participate in biosafety monitoring, compliance, and emergency response activities of all Marian University instructional and research facilities on the Marian University-Indianapolis campus and at the 16 Tech Innovation District.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values and honoring the legacy of the founding congregation through transformative education, unity in diversity, leadership through service, integrating faith and life, and institutional policies.
- Oversee an efficient internal process for procurement of research supplies from central and sponsored programs budgets; obtain pricing quotes from vendors to ensure appropriate stewardship of research funds.
- Inspects research and instructional facilities for compliance with local and internal regulations and guidelines pertaining to biohazards, human subjects’ protection and animal welfare.
- Maintain and catalog cryostorage banks, ensuring compliance with appropriate biosafety standards.
- To ensure alignment with internal standards, practices and capabilities, reviews research grant applications, proposals, and activities involving biohazardous materials and recombinant DNA, and approves or recommends modifications to ensure safe practices; provides guidance to researchers and/or performs follow-up as appropriate in collaboration with the Director of Research Safety and Risk Management.
- Co-Chair the Institutional Laboratory Safety Committee to coordinate the intersection of laboratory safety in both instructional and research spaces;
- Serve as a Chemical Hygiene Officer and maintain day to day compliance with the Marian University Chemical Hygiene Plan and local and state legislation.
- Document SDS’s for all laboratory chemicals and hazards in collaboration with the other Chemical Hygiene Officer(s).
- Attain up to date credentials according to the Department of Transportation along with any other trainings necessary for transporting and receiving chemicals.
- Maintain laboratory equipment in working order and engage repair service as necessary.
- Participate in and provide consultation to various internal committees and task forces, such as the Institutional Biosafety Committee, Institutional Review Board, and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; actively participates in external meetings and organizations, and maintains liaison with professional counterparts in other institutions.
- In alignment with National Security Presidential Memorandum 33, develop and maintain a reporting system for conflicts of interest, outside activities, and international research collaboration.
- Develop/distribute training materials and regular communications with the Marian University community to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and University research regulations.
- Coordinate student and laboratory volunteer safety training in collaboration with the Director of Research Safety and Risk Management
- As a supervisor of student workers, oversee and ensure the following:
-Procurement of research supplies including generating purchase orders, tracking expenses, placing orders, receiving orders, routing of supplies to investigators, and collaborating with Accounts Payable for payment of vendors.
-Regular inventorying of supplies and ensure efficient stocking and organization thereof.
-Monitor cold storage equipment and incubators for temperature and/or power failure and coordinate the secure transport of biohazardous materials or animals in the event of emergency.
-Maintain lab gases and cell culture incubators with routine quality control testing.
-Maintain purified water stocks and prepare standard buffers for common use.
-Collect biohazard waste from satellite waste locations in research facilities and sterilize in accordance with the Biohazardous Waste Management Program.
-Collect and properly dispose of chemical waste from satellite waste locations in research facilities in collaboration with the Chemical Hygiene Officer(s).
-Maintain a calendar of required reports, updates, etc. for the IRB, IBC, IACUCs, and sponsored programs/research and distribute reminders and notifications thereof.
-Maintain the University’s research compliance self-service training system and distribute reminders and notifications thereof.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology or related field.
- Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information.
- Program development and management skills.
- Investigative and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people.
- Proficiency in the use of computers and Microsoft Office software.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field or at two years experience in a research laboratory
- Knowledge of budget preparation and fiscal management.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications require a cover letter, a current resume, contact information for three professional references, and responses to the supplemental mission questions.
Marian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
