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Research Security Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Director serves as UTA's Research Security Officer. The role is a strategic partner to campus leaders and the research community and is responsible for implementing risk-based approaches that ...

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Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Research Security and Chief Research Security Officer, this position leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of university-wide ...

Under general direction, the Compliance Officer for Research Security monitors and facilitates compliance with federal, state, and System research security governing standards, including but not ...

The Research Security Officer will be responsible for implementation and maintenance of our university clients' research security and export controls compliance programs. The position will serve as ...

The Research Security Officer will be responsible for implementation and maintenance of our university clients' research security and export controls compliance programs. The position will serve as ...

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Research Security Officer information

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How much do research security officer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for research security officer in the United States is $17.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research security officer?

Research Security Officers are professionals responsible for protecting sensitive research data and intellectual property within academic institutions, government agencies, or private organizations. They ensure compliance with security policies, federal regulations, and funding requirements related to research activities. Their duties often include risk assessments, staff training, monitoring for unauthorized access, and responding to security incidents. By implementing best practices and coordinating with other departments, they help safeguard both proprietary and classified information and maintain the integrity of research programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research security officer?

To excel as a Research Security Officer, you need a solid understanding of research compliance, security protocols, and risk management, often supported by a degree in a relevant field such as security studies or information assurance. Familiarity with federal regulations (such as CUI, ITAR, and EAR), incident reporting systems, and cybersecurity tools is usually required. Exceptional attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate complex regulations clearly are crucial for success. These competencies ensure the protection of sensitive research data, compliance with legal requirements, and the advancement of institutional research goals.

What are the common challenges faced by a research security officer in balancing compliance and research collaboration?

A Research Security Officer often navigates the challenge of ensuring strict compliance with regulations (such as export controls and data protection laws) while supporting an open and collaborative research environment. This role requires clear communication with researchers to help them understand security requirements without hindering innovation. Balancing these priorities involves conducting regular training, building trust with faculty, and staying updated on evolving regulations to provide practical, timely guidance. Successfully managing these relationships helps foster a secure yet productive research culture.

What is the difference between Research Security Officer vs Research Compliance Coordinator?

AspectResearch Security OfficerResearch Compliance Coordinator
CredentialsSecurity certifications, research security trainingCompliance certifications, research ethics training
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, security officesResearch institutions, administrative offices
Employer & IndustryUniversities, government agenciesUniversities, research organizations
Primary FocusProtecting research data and assetsEnsuring research compliance with policies

The Research Security Officer primarily focuses on safeguarding research data and assets through security measures, while the Research Compliance Coordinator ensures research activities adhere to institutional policies and regulations. Both roles support research integrity but differ in their specific responsibilities and focus areas.

What cities are hiring for Research Security Officer jobs?

Cities with the most Research Security Officer job openings:

What states have the most Research Security Officer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Research Security Officer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Research Security Officer jobs?

For Research Security Officer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Research Security Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,979 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Director for Research Security

Arlington, TX • On-site

UT Tyler
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

$124K - $178K/yr

Other

Posted yesterday

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Job description

The annual salary for this position ranges from $124,100 to $178,100. The final offer will be commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required:

  • Resume
  • References (minimum of three)
Purpose of Position

The Director oversees an integrated research security, export control, conflict of interest, and conflict of commitment program designed to protect the institution’s scientific and scholarly work, financial resources, intellectual property, as well as regulated and sensitive data while supporting open academic engagement. The Director serves as UTA’s Research Security Officer. The role is a strategic partner to campus leaders and the research community and is responsible for implementing risk-based approaches that assure the integrity and security of the university’s diverse research and innovation enterprise. The Director actively leads efforts to mitigate risks related to foreign adversaries and influence as well as insider threats associated with domestic and international research efforts as required by federal and state law.

Essential Functions
  • Develops and supports institutional governance frameworks, policies, and processes for an integrated program.
  • Leads university’s efforts to meet certification and statutory requirements.
  • Monitor regulatory updates and industry best practices to ensure the university's programs and employees remain compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Serve as a primary institutional point of contact for research security matters with federal sponsors and external partners. Responsible for the direct supervision of staff.
  • Engages with research community to explore, understand, and address issues.
  • Create and maintain suite of electronic and informational resources/tools to independently and collaboratively assess and mitigate risk.
  • Conduct periodic risk assessments to identify potential conflicts and institutional areas for improvement.
  • Leads coordination efforts with campus leaders and research stakeholders to examine and advance research security matters in research projects, international partnerships, and commercialization.
  • Ensure institutional compliance with sponsor disclosure rules as well as federal and state requirements.
  • Implement foreign travel training to countries of concern, heightened intel collection and ITAR.
  • Partners with information security and campus compliance to develop and implement campus-wide certifications that promote awareness of disclosure and research security obligations.
  • Lead investigations into program violations ensuring documentation and reporting of findings.
  • Resolve non-compliance issues and refer serious cases as appropriate.
  • Prepare reports for senior leadership, sponsors and regulatory agencies as required.
  • Develop, implement and monitor management plans for compliance and/or identified cases of violations.
  • Evaluate and mitigate risks related to foreign affiliations, talent recruitment programs, international collaborations, partnerships, foreign shipments and visiting scholars.
  • Develop processes and mitigation program for insider threat risks in partnership with information security and information technology.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, Global Security and Intelligence, Risk Management or a related field.
  • A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in a research security role with a federal contractor or within higher education, research, health, or a related industry in a role responsible for counterintelligence, investigations, insider threat, conflict of interest, intelligence analysis or related experience.
  • Experience must include a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.
  • Must have experience working with government agencies (DoD, NIH, NSF, DOE, etc.), or in a regulated research environment subject to EAR, ITAR, OFAC, or similar compliance requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 10 or more years of experience in security or responsible conduct of research role.
  • 5 or more years of progressive leadership responsibility and supervisory experience.
  • Advanced degree or equivalent experience in research security and/or national security field.
  • Holds a federal security clearance of Secret or above.
  • Certified Insider Threat Analyst (CITA) and/or GIAC Open-Source Intelligence Certification (GOSI)
  • Certification or experience examining data logs in User Entity Behavior Analytical (UEBA) tools and/or other data aggregate tools.
  • Certification in trade compliance or export control.
  • Experience in developing risk matrices and intelligence report writing.
  • Experience as a Contract Program Security Officer (CPSO) familiar with safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Classified information.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Knowledge of current suite of available Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) / Publicly Available Information (PAI) tools, databases, and repositories,
  • Strong proficiency in OSINT research and methodology.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated customer service and policy development skills.
  • Strong analytical with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with attention to detail.
  • Ability to exercise discretion, judgement and integrity when making discission.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Skilled in making sound decisions when minimal information is available.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multitask on a variety of projects.
Work Schedule
  • Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm
Working Conditions
  • May work around standard office conditions.
  • Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
Benefits Information

Position is benefit eligible: Yes


We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a pre employment background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.

This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA 48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.

University Information

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.

UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community.

This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email ADADocs@uta.edu .

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UT Tyler logo

About UT Tyler

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Tyler, TX, US

Year founded

1975