Research Security Specialist

Position Title: Research Security Specialist

Department: 5000|VP Research

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), the Research Security Specialist will be responsible for supporting the faculty, staff, and administration by providing customer-oriented export control compliance and research security services support to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL)’s R1 research community. According to the 2022 NSF Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey, the University has reported $205 million in HERD expenditures.

Job Description: 

The Research Security Specialist will be responsible for implementing, administering, and evaluating the university’s export control compliance program, assisting with information and data security plans and agreements, and developing and managing the undue foreign governmental influence program. The Research Security Specialist will plan, coordinate, and execute institution-wide compliance initiatives supporting UL’s research and teaching mission. The Research Security Specialist will serve as the export control compliance subject matter expert for the university and will be responsible for export control compliance for university research, including reviewing export clause implications in contracts, drafting and implementing Technology Control Plans, and developing and delivering export control training and outreach across the university; assisting investigators with information and data security plans and agreements; providing information to investigators about foreign travel; and screening foreign applicants for research positions, research-related positions, and visiting scholars. The position will work collaboratively with other university offices and functions, including but not limited to the Office of Research Integrity, the Office of Innovation Management, the Office of Operational Review, the Division of Global Engagement, and the Office of Purchasing to facilitate export control, data and information security, and foreign influence compliance.

Specific Duties:

• Manage and monitor the university’s export control compliance program, including performing risk and effectiveness assessments.
• Work with key constituents within the Office of the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (OVPRIED) as well as the broader university community to develop policies, procedures, and training and educational materials to ensure compliance with the export control regulations including the International Traffic in Arms
• Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
• Review university activity to identify and address export control compliance requirements, including determining the applicability of export control regulations to university activity, export control licensing requirements, and the proper handling and protection of export-controlled technology, materials, and equipment.
• Review information fulfilling the Louisiana Higher Education Foreign Security Act requirements for hiring research and research-related support positions.
• Develop and deliver effective export control training and outreach to stakeholders across the university, including foreign influence and foreign travel.
• Monitor and communicate changes to laws, regulations, and policies related to export controls and sanctions and identify and implement any changes necessary to ensure compliance.
• Prepare, submit, and manage export license applications and authorizations, including Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs), DSP-5s, OFAC authorizations, and EAR licenses.
• Manage the university’s registrations and accounts with vendors and the US government related to export control compliance such as DECCS, SNAP-R, and Visual Compliance.
• Provide individualized support and guidance to faculty, staff, schools, and administrative departments as needed and upon request. 
• Work directly with faculty, engineers, researchers, and other technical subject matter experts to determine jurisdiction and the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List classification determinations.
• Assists with import regulations and documentation as needed.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
-Master’s degree

-Five years of regulatory compliance experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• J.D. or Ph.D. and three years of regulatory compliance experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• ECTI Certified Export Compliance Professional or eligibility to become certified.
• Previous experience in export controls compliance and licensing environment, with preference given to applicants working with principal investigators, research administration, and other University research and administrative personnel in a higher education setting and applicants working with regulators, oversight agencies, governmental entities, sponsors, and accrediting bodies.
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations.
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of laws, regulations, guidance, and best practices regarding undue foreign governmental influence in research, such as those issued by the federal government, including sponsoring agencies.
• Advanced knowledge of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations.
• Understanding of NIST SP 800-171 requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze complex documents and situations effectively and identify actionable recommendations and solutions.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty and researchers to support research goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively with administrators and staff across the university.
• Ability to effectively prioritize competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.

Job Ad# (req2517)