STEM OPT Research Director Jobs
Research Director roles sit at the intersection of advanced STEM expertise and institutional leadership, making them strong fits for the STEM OPT 24-month extension. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree's CIP code must align with the research field you'll be directing.
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Get Access To All JobsTitle: Director Research Compliance
Employee Classification: Dir Research Compliance
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Research & Innovation
SubDivision-Department: UNT-Research & Innovation
Department: UNT-Rsrch Supp Integrity & Compli-190200
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Salary range 82,000 - 102,000
FTE: 1.000000
Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
Department Summary
The Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC) unit within the Division of Research & Innovation is committed to serving, educating, and supporting the UNT research community by ensuring that the Institution and investigators conduct research in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as university policies and procedures. The RIC unit provides guidance and assistance to researchers in the following areas: Human Subjects and Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Conflict of interest (COI), Export controls, and Responsible conduct of research (RCR).
Position Overview
The Director, Research Compliance position within the Research Integrity Compliance unit of the Division of Research & Innovation, is responsible for management, leadership, and administrative oversight of research compliance staff on the IRB team. This position is also responsible for directing the strategic and operational activities of UNT's Institutional Review Board to ensure that federal, state, and university regulations are followed. The Director also tracks and processes incoming IRB protocols, assists with protocol reviews, and follows up on tasks to support the research compliance programs. Reporting to the Sr. Director for Research Compliance, this position also develops and implements policies, procedures, and trainings to ensure research compliance is maintained at UNT.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and 6 years related experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience; with at least 1 year of managerial/supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Communication skills are essential as the position leads efforts to educate the research community on human subject research compliance and ethics.
- Supervisory skills are essential, as the position manages and coaches staff, evaluates performance and determines staffing needs.
- Leadership is demonstrated through guidance for staff, faculty and student researchers, and other university departments related to complex research protocols.
- Ability to function independently, in a team environment and lead for the research compliance programs associated with human subjects research.
- Knowledge of regulations and ethical principles related to the ethical conduct of human subject research.
- Ability to maintain and organize accurate and detailed records and work within software platforms.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, reasoning, communications, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to quickly analyze large amounts of facts and data to generate alternatives and timely solutions for a variety of complex fact patterns.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to be highly detail oriented, meet strict deadlines, and remain calm during challenging situations.
Preferred Qualifications
At least 3 years experience working in higher education research compliance, preferred with IRB.
Required License/Registration/Certifications
Job Duties
- Serves in leadership role for management of the Research Compliance Institutional Review Board (IRB) staff responsible for all research compliance protocol study reviews for IRB. Tracks and processes incoming protocols, assists with protocol reviews, and follow up tasks for research compliance programs.
- Provides administrative oversight and support for the UNT Institutional Review Board Committee reviews of proposed human subjects research study protocols to ensure compliance with all federal government, funding agency regulatory guidelines, and university policies.
- Develops and administers workshops, training opportunities, and research compliance materials for the UNT research community to support compliance efforts for their proposed human subjects research studies.
- Collaborates with Sr. Director Research Compliance to develop new or revised research compliance procedures and policies to maintain compliance with emerging federal, state, and university research compliance issues and trends.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Sr Director Research Compliance.
Physical Requirements
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Environmental Hazards
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm. Some evenings and weekends as required.
Driving University Vehicle
No
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. Telework for this position may be an available option with both supervisor and UNT System Flexible Work Agreement (FWA) approval.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.
Title: Director Research Compliance
Employee Classification: Dir Research Compliance
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Research & Innovation
SubDivision-Department: UNT-Research & Innovation
Department: UNT-Rsrch Supp Integrity & Compli-190200
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Salary range 82,000 - 102,000
FTE: 1.000000
Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
Department Summary
The Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC) unit within the Division of Research & Innovation is committed to serving, educating, and supporting the UNT research community by ensuring that the Institution and investigators conduct research in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as university policies and procedures. The RIC unit provides guidance and assistance to researchers in the following areas: Human Subjects and Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Conflict of interest (COI), Export controls, and Responsible conduct of research (RCR).
Position Overview
The Director, Research Compliance position within the Research Integrity Compliance unit of the Division of Research & Innovation, is responsible for management, leadership, and administrative oversight of research compliance staff on the IRB team. This position is also responsible for directing the strategic and operational activities of UNT's Institutional Review Board to ensure that federal, state, and university regulations are followed. The Director also tracks and processes incoming IRB protocols, assists with protocol reviews, and follows up on tasks to support the research compliance programs. Reporting to the Sr. Director for Research Compliance, this position also develops and implements policies, procedures, and trainings to ensure research compliance is maintained at UNT.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and 6 years related experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience; with at least 1 year of managerial/supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Communication skills are essential as the position leads efforts to educate the research community on human subject research compliance and ethics.
- Supervisory skills are essential, as the position manages and coaches staff, evaluates performance and determines staffing needs.
- Leadership is demonstrated through guidance for staff, faculty and student researchers, and other university departments related to complex research protocols.
- Ability to function independently, in a team environment and lead for the research compliance programs associated with human subjects research.
- Knowledge of regulations and ethical principles related to the ethical conduct of human subject research.
- Ability to maintain and organize accurate and detailed records and work within software platforms.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, reasoning, communications, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to quickly analyze large amounts of facts and data to generate alternatives and timely solutions for a variety of complex fact patterns.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to be highly detail oriented, meet strict deadlines, and remain calm during challenging situations.
Preferred Qualifications
At least 3 years experience working in higher education research compliance, preferred with IRB.
Required License/Registration/Certifications
Job Duties
- Serves in leadership role for management of the Research Compliance Institutional Review Board (IRB) staff responsible for all research compliance protocol study reviews for IRB. Tracks and processes incoming protocols, assists with protocol reviews, and follow up tasks for research compliance programs.
- Provides administrative oversight and support for the UNT Institutional Review Board Committee reviews of proposed human subjects research study protocols to ensure compliance with all federal government, funding agency regulatory guidelines, and university policies.
- Develops and administers workshops, training opportunities, and research compliance materials for the UNT research community to support compliance efforts for their proposed human subjects research studies.
- Collaborates with Sr. Director Research Compliance to develop new or revised research compliance procedures and policies to maintain compliance with emerging federal, state, and university research compliance issues and trends.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Sr Director Research Compliance.
Physical Requirements
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Environmental Hazards
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm. Some evenings and weekends as required.
Driving University Vehicle
No
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. Telework for this position may be an available option with both supervisor and UNT System Flexible Work Agreement (FWA) approval.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.
See all Research Director jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Research Director
Verify your CIP code matches the role
Pull your degree's CIP code from your I-20 and cross-reference it against the research domain you'll be directing. A mismatch between your listed STEM field and your job duties is the most common reason DSOs reject STEM OPT extension requests before they reach USCIS.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the hiring institution to provide their E-Verify Company ID or show you their E-Verify participation page. Research universities and federal contractors typically enroll, but private research institutes and foundations vary, confirm before signing, not after.
Build a training plan around research leadership duties
Your I-983 must map specific learning objectives to Research Director responsibilities like principal investigator oversight, grant portfolio management, and lab staff supervision. Generic descriptions get flagged; tie each objective to a concrete research outcome your employer can evaluate.
Target institutions with active federal research contracts
Federal contractors are required to use E-Verify, so research-intensive organizations holding NIH, NSF, or DOD grants are structurally more likely to be enrolled and practiced at onboarding international researchers. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified E-Verify status in research and life sciences.
Check prevailing wage for your research discipline
Research Director wages vary sharply by field and institution type. Run the OFLC Wage Search using the SOC code for your specific research discipline to understand what wage level your employer must certify before your extension can proceed.
Align your start date with your OPT end date precisely
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed while your initial OPT EAD is still valid. Research Director searches can run long given committee-based hiring cycles, so file no later than 90 days before your initial OPT expires to avoid a gap in authorization.
Research Director jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research Director JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Director role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on whether your STEM degree's CIP code aligns with the research field you'll be directing. Research Director is not a blanket STEM-qualifying title. Your DSO will evaluate whether your degree's listed field on your I-20 corresponds to the scientific or technical domain of the position. O*NET can help you confirm how the role is classified occupationally before you apply.
What must the I-983 training plan include for a Research Director position?
Your I-983 must detail specific goals, objectives, and methods of evaluation tied to the Research Director role. For this title, that means documenting how the position advances your STEM skills in areas like research design, data analysis, grant oversight, or laboratory management. Vague descriptions like 'will conduct research' are insufficient. USCIS expects a concrete plan your employer signs off on and updates every 12 months.
How do I confirm my prospective employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask your hiring contact directly for the company's E-Verify Company ID or request confirmation of their participation status before you reach the offer stage. Research universities, hospitals, and federal contractors are frequently enrolled, but smaller private research organizations may not be. An employer that isn't enrolled in E-Verify cannot sponsor your STEM OPT extension regardless of how well the role fits your degree.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my Research Director contract ends before my extension period is up?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new qualifying employer, transfer to a different visa status, or prepare to depart. You can work for a new E-Verify-enrolled employer on the same STEM OPT EAD, but your DSO must update your SEVIS record with the new employer information. USCIS does not require a new EAD for employer changes during an active STEM OPT period.
Where can I find Research Director jobs that explicitly support STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Research Director listings by E-Verify enrollment status, so you can focus on employers already set up to support your extension. Standard job searches don't surface E-Verify data, which means you'd otherwise need to verify each employer manually. Searching on Migrate Mate removes that step and surfaces roles in research-intensive fields where STEM OPT candidates are routinely hired.
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