Research Officer Jobs

Director of Research Ethics & Compliance and Export Control Officer (0374U), Research Administration About Berkeley

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Departmental Overview

The Office of Research Administration & Compliance (RAC) works with faculty, staff, and students across UC Berkeley to catalyze, support, and safeguard research and innovation. Ensuring research compliance, safety, and security across the university is a key priority because the overall success of the research enterprise depends on the highest standards of ethics, compliance, and integrity.

Position Summary

The Director of Research Ethics & Compliance and Export Control Officer is the university's expert on export control compliance and serves as a senior member of the Research Security team with responsibilities spanning conflicts of interest, responsible conduct of research, and support for foreign engagement compliance. Reporting to the Executive Director of Research Security, the Director manages the university's Export Control program, staffs and advises the Conflicts of Interest Committee, and provides expert consultation across the research compliance portfolio.

This position serves as the day-to-day Export Control Officer for UC Berkeley, responsible for the full lifecycle of export control compliance - from classification and screening through Technology Control Plans, deemed export analysis, OFAC sanctions compliance, and PI consultation. The Director supervises the export control analyst and COI coordinator, collaborates with the RCR coordinator and other research compliance staff, and is expected to operate with substantial independence on routine and moderately complex export control matters from the outset.

The Director works collaboratively with the Vice Chancellor for Research Office, Office of Ethics Risk and Compliance, Research Security, Information Security, Information Technology, Controller's Office, Audit and Advisory Services, Office of Legal Affairs, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources, Sponsored Projects Office, and Berkeley Regional Services to ensure compliance with university policies and federal requirements. The Director interacts with employees at all levels of the university - from graduate students to Deans - and tailors analysis and communications to each audience.

The Director accomplishes a wide variety of tasks with considerable independence and must exercise discretion in applying policies and procedures using professional judgment in a manner consistent with Berkeley's culture. The Director ensures safeguards for the flow of sensitive and confidential information. The Director assists the Executive Director of Research Security with confidential investigations and implementation of new compliance programs or requirements as directed.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is November 23, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Export Control Program Management - 45%

Serve as the university's export control officer and primary point of contact for all export control matters.
Direct institutional compliance with ITAR, EAR, OFAC, DEAR and FAR.
Perform commodity jurisdiction and classification determinations including ECCN and USML assessments.
Coordinate with UCOP on DDTC licensing and registration matters.
Develop and manage Technology Control Plans.
Assess deemed export control implications for foreign persons in research settings.
Conduct OFAC sanctions analysis across university activities including admissions, online education, and research collaborations.
Review SOWs, subcontracts, and prime contractor agreements for export control implications.
Advise on Wolf Amendment and other agency-specific restrictions.
Review gifts, equipment, and donated technology for export control implications including 1260H and FCC covered list screening.
Maintain and improve the restricted party screening program.
Supervise and mentor the export control analyst.

Regulatory Interpretation, Compliance Oversight, and Investigations - 20%

Interpret and apply federal, state, and UC export control laws, conflict of interest policies, research security requirements, and responsible conduct of research standards.
Monitor regulatory developments with particular attention to export controls, OFAC sanctions, and international research collaboration risks.
Provide export control analysis in support of foreign engagement reviews conducted by the Research Security Officer.
Maintain working knowledge of NSPM-33, the DoD Section 1286 list, NSF restricted entity provisions, and related policies.
Assist the Executive Director with investigations of alleged compliance violations, ensuring investigations are objective, thorough, and well-documented.

Training, Communications, and Compliance Program Development - 10%

Leads to provision of compliance training on export controls, COI, RCR, and related topics. Including developing and delivering, as well as purchase vs. create decision making, and tracking processes around compliance with requirements.
Create guidelines, FAQs, checklists, and educational materials.
Coordinate and track required training including RCR through CITI and LMS.
Design and monitor compliance programs.
Propose and implement process enhancements and operational efficiencies.
Ensure accessibility of all training programs with the appropriate campus parties.

Operations, Administration, and Other Duties - 10%

Direct day-to-day operations, administration, databases, and record-keeping for Research Ethics and Compliance.
Direct prioritization and task delegation for all assigned staff.
Perform additional duties as directed by the Executive Director of Research Security.

Conflict of Interest Program Management - 10%

Manage the university's COI program including procedural oversight of disclosure submission and review processes.
Review, evaluate, and interpret COI disclosures.
Staff the Conflict of Interest Committee and follow up on committee actions.
Serve as an expert resource on ethical standards, regulations, and policies governing conflicts of interest.

Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research - 5%

Coordinate RECR activities and training opportunities.
Coordinate quarterly RCR reminders and training compliance tracking for NSF and NIH-funded personnel.

Required Qualifications

Five years of professional experience with substantial focus on export control compliance, including direct experience with DDTC [ITAR], BIS [EAR], and OFAC sanctions programs. Demonstrated decision making in regards to determinations for export control.
Working knowledge of Fundamental Research Exclusion, the CHIPS and Science Act, Wassenaar Arrangement and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), specifically Section 889.
Understanding and managing Technical Assistance Agreements (TAA), demonstrated experience developing and managing Technology Control Plans.
Experience with restricted/denied party screening programs and tools (e.g., Descartes Visual Compliance, Kharon, or comparable platforms).
Experience conducting commodity jurisdiction determinations, deemed export analyses, USML and ECCN classifications, or NRC control awareness.
Experience with OFAC sanctions analysis, including general licenses and country-specific sanctions programs.
Working knowledge of conflict on interest policies, procedures, and federal regulations applicable to sponsored research.
Working knowledge of research security requirements, including NSPM-33, and familiarity with the DoD Section 1286 list, Wolf Amendment, and agency-specific restrictions on international collaboration.
Experience creating and delivering compliance training and educational programs for diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
Strong ability to interpret and apply complex regulations, policies, and procedures to real-world research scenarios.
Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to explain complex regulatory requirements clearly to researchers, administrators, and campus leadership.
Strong interpersonal and consultative skills with the ability to build trust with PIs, deliver difficult compliance messages with diplomacy, and maintain productive relationships across a decentralized university environment.
Experience supervising or mentoring junior compliance staff.
Ability to work independently with minimal direction, exercise sound judgement, and manage competing priorities including urgent time-sensitive requests alongside longer-term projects.
Experience with training, providing, purchasing and/or management of a training team.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience managing and export control program at a university or research institution, including full program responsibility for TAAs, TCPs, deemed exports, restricted party screening, and OFAC compliance.
Familiarity with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, Federal Contracting Rules, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) covered list regulations as they relate to research activities.
Experience identifying and managing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requirements, and working knowledge of DoD Covered Defense Information (CDI) and Controlled Technical Information (CTI). Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012 clauses.
Experience with federal research compliance in a higher-education, government, or defense contracting environment.
Experience with research conflict of interest program management. Knowledge of HIPAA, FERPA, and controlled technical information requirements as they relate to research data security and/or research data generally.

Education / Training

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)
M.S., J.D., and/or other applicable advanced degree (Preferred)

Licenses / Certifications

Relevant professional certifications in export control or trade compliance. (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $115,800.00 - $168,100.00.

This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.