DHR Coordinator

About the Opportunity

Position Summary

The DHR Coordinator reports to the Senior Coordinator and serves as the primary liaison for research ethics compliance within the College of Professional Studies (CPS). This role involves guiding administrators, faculty, and students through human subjects research regulations while ensuring compliance with federal and state ethics requirements for research involving human participants.  The CPS consists of several graduate programs which conduct student and faculty initiated human subjects research in areas such as education, law and policy, project management, and organizational leadership. The coordinator's responsibilities center on conducting IRB application reviews, supporting institutional research governance processes, managing professional development related to IRB, tracking and monitoring IRB applications and related documentation.

Northeastern is a global university and DHR supports its team working remotely. Remote locations and work schedules are determined based on operational needs and in consultation with Team members, consistent with University policies and guidance

Position Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience in human subjects research administration and compliance.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and appropriately to various audiences.
• Quality Assurance: Attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy in documentation, data management, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Independence: Demonstrates strong self-direction and accountability while working with minimal supervision, prioritizing shifting demands and deadlines. Works effectively in a remote work environment.
• Collaboration: Experience collaborating across teams and functions. A successful candidate will be able to adapt communication styles to different stakeholders and recognize when to leverage subject matter expertise from peers and panel members.
• Professional Development: Eligibility to sit for the Certified IRB Professional (CIP) exam after one year of appointment (preferred, not required).

Responsibilities

CPS IRB Protocol Management and Review (50%)

• Process and review initial submissions, continuing reviews, and modifications for exempt and expedited research protocols, evaluating for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
• Apply federal, state, and institutional regulations to ensure ethical conduct of human subjects research, maintaining current knowledge of 45 CFR 46, FERPA, FDA, HIPAA, and Belmont Report principles, among others.
• Monitor all CPS IRB submissions for completion, quality, policy adherence, and submission timelines while tracking and reporting submissions by stakeholder type.
• Review student milestone completion to ensure IRB eligibility and work with doctoral program leaders to meet students' research needs.
• Serve as primary IRB contact and liaison for CPS, communicating required revisions and regulatory guidance to investigators while serving as subject matter expert on IRB policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain CPS IRB operational systems in collaboration with the DHR unit, CPS leadership, and program leadership.
• Collaborate with faculty PIs, program directors, and CPS administrators on research governance processes to ensure ethical application submission and research execution.

CPS Research Ethics Training and Development (20%)

• Provides individual consultation to CPS faculty, dissertation chairs and students on research ethics and IRB applications.
• Support the development and delivery of IRB-related training initiatives and in-person gatherings.
• Track and report on the CPS Site Support requests.
• Collaborate with faculty leaders and academic deans to integrate IRB trainings and modules into existing courses.

Support for Department  Human Research Unit (30%)

• Provides support to the DHR senior leadership with regard to IRB process and special projects.
• Serves as a designated reviewer for IRB submissions.
• Provide semi-monthly summaries of IRB submissions to both the CPS Senior Associate Dean of Research and DHR senior leadership.
• Attend training and professional development initiatives organized by the Department of Human Research (DHR).
• Participate in ongoing professional development to enhance knowledge of regulatory, ethical, and procedural aspects of human subjects research.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.