Director, Human Research Protections Program

Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) ... a world unlike any other!

Virginia Commonwealth University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to join our team as the Director of the Human Research Protections Program Office. This pivotal role will oversee and enhance our commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of research participants, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. As the Director, you will lead a dedicated team in fostering a culture of integrity and accountability in research practices, while collaborating with researchers, institutional leadership, and external stakeholders. If you are passionate about advancing ethical research and possess a strong background in human subjects protection, we invite you to help shape the future of our research environment.

Since its inception, as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s namesake institution, VCU has promoted public impact research. We distinguish VCU as a vibrant public research university where researchers, educators, practitioners and entrepreneurs innovate together to improve lives and address societal challenges. Our research goals include:

• Amplifying VCU’s impact on society through excellence across all disciplines, knowledge creation and transdisciplinary research.
  
• Building a collaborative research culture that powers meaningful change and impact and is based on ethics, integrity, inclusive practices and critical and analytical thinking.
  
• Implementing a research infrastructure model that is scalable, nimble and ready for growth.
  

Human research is a significant part of how VCU research is shaping the future. At VCU, our human research includes a robust portfolio including social-behavioral and educational research, biomedical/clinical research and clinical trials including investigational drugs, devices, biologics and dietary supplements.

The Director of a human research protections program office is expected to be an engaged and well-respected leader, strategic thinker, and able to influence and serve as a champion for the training and teamwork necessary to ensure the ethical foundation, responsibility, and integrity of the program. The Director will report to the Associate Vice President for Strategy and Regulatory Affairs, a former HRPP professional who also oversees key strategic priorities that preserve the integrity of the University’s growing research ecosystem.

Duties include:

Federal responsibilities typically carried out by the Human Research Administrator identified on the institutional Federalwide Assurance (FWA)

• Advise on institutional compliance with the terms of the OHRP Federal Wide Assurance (FWA)
  
• Manage the IRB Membership
  
• Oversee of all federal reporting requirements, including ensuring that other cognizant federal agencies or sponsors are informed as appropriate
  

Leadership and mentorship in human research protections

• Establish a community of practice for those who work to support human research protections, HRPP and IRB professionals and members
  
• Cultivate a positive work environment
  
• Conduct training and outreach programs
  

Provide guidance to IRB, researchers, research staff, and administrators regarding the interpretation and application of regulations, laws, and policies

• Serve as the subject matter expert for the ongoing program development
  
• Collaborate with partners across the enterprise
  
• Advocate for quality and compliance processes that are transparent and clear