This position applies and implements federal regulations, IRB guidelines and institutional policies related to the protection of human research participants and research integrity; ensuring conformance with ethical and regulatory standards. Serve as an expert resource to the University's research community (faculty, staff, students, etc) and serving as the liaison between the research community and the USF IRB to ensure that research conducted by USF and Affiliate investigators and research staff meet all regulatory and institutional policies and procedures to protect human subjects participating in USF research. Provide professional support to one of the Institutional Review Boards.
The responsibilities of this position include:
• Provides consultation to faculty, staff, students and affiliate investigators and research staff on the application and implementation of federal regulations, state laws, and institutional policies and procedures for USF human subjects research. Reviews IRB application submissions for completeness and assign reviewers to the studies.
• As federally mandated, conveys all decisions and/or IRB actions in writing to investigators in a clear, concise manner. Creates the federally mandated institutional records in the form of meeting minutes that summarize the discussions and deliberations of the IRB. Creates and maintains the official institutional records, both in an electronic format (computerized data management system) and in physical copies (IRB protocol files), to reflect the actions and decisions of the federally mandated Institutional Review Boards.
• Serves as liaison between the Institutional Review Board, the principal investigators, study coordinators, human subjects, and affiliate institutions, providing consultation and guidance to facilitate the ethical and regulatory conduct of human subject research.
• Assists in the development of standard operating procedures for the IRB office and the IRB. Assists in the development of Institutional documents utilized by University Researchers. Verifies accuracy of information through a formal internal audit of office research records.
• Develops and presents educational initiatives to faculty, staff, and students at USF and affiliate sites on the ethical and regulatory requirements of human subject research.
• Provides professional consultation and support to the Institutional Review Board on the application and implementation of federal regulations, state laws, and institutional policies to enable it to fulfill its responsibilities in reviewing human subject research.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in research or research administration; or a Master’s degree. Four years of progressively responsible work experience in research or research administration may substitute for the Bachelor’s degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Additional Information for Applicants
This position requires a Level I background check.
Hiring salary range: $50,000 - $56,000, commensurate with experience.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
