Careers Job Description
General Description
The Institutional Review Board implements institutional policy as well as Federal, State and local laws pertaining to the CUNY Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) to ensure compliance and to educate investigators, Institutional Review Board (IRB) members, administrators and others engaged in research with human subjects.
The IRB Specialist reports to the HRPP Director and works closely with the Director, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the IRB Members and the CUNY Office of Research Compliance to assure the protection of the rights and welfare of all research subjects at Hunter College.
The IRB Specialist helps the Director ensure quality assurance and compliance with HRPP policy and manage policy implementation. The IRB Specialist also assists in the development and submission of IRB protocols and plays an active role in the HRPP’s education and outreach efforts and staff development activities.
Other Duties
Responsibilities include:
- Assist in the pre-review of proposals to ensure compliance with Federal regulations, and CUNY specific policies and procedures;
- Assist in responding to inquiries regarding research studies involving human subjects;
- Assist in conducting human subject research determinations;
- Assist in conducting exempt reviews;
- Assist in planning and conducting training sessions for researchers, IRB members and appropriate campus staff;
- Assist in the training and use of IRB software (IDEATE);
- Assist with planning and arrangements for meetings, workshops and other IRB events;
- Attend HRPP meetings (on and off-campus);
- Maintain communications and provide support to investigators throughout the review process;
- Send protocols to be reviewed via expedited/full board reviews to appropriate IRB members; prepare and send approval materials;
- Assist in maintaining up-to-date IRB files, preparing newsletters and college reports and maintaining and updating the IRB website;
- Participate in continuing education and professional development activities;
- Complete special projects and assignments as specified by the HRPP Director.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge
- Knowledge of principles of ethical conduct of research with human subjects.
- Knowledge of applicable federal regulations (OHRP, NIH, FDA, USDA, and other government agencies) related to human research subjects protection.
- Sufficient depth of knowledge of IRB policies, procedures, and operations to assist Hunter College faculty, staff and students.
Experience
- At least three years of professional experience working in a research environment such as an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), or grants setting performing administrative and technical duties required.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Certification as an IRB professional (CIP) or willingness to secure certification within one year of hire.
Skills and Abilities
- Superior written and oral communication skills.
- Strong analytical, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
- Ability to follow through on assignments with minimal direction, independently prioritize work, and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with a broad range of researchers and other diverse individuals.
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and AccrualsAbout the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).
RFCUNY stands between CUNY’s principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Key Features
Hunter Research Administration
Full Time
Depends on Qualifications
Jul 29, 2020 (Or Until Filled)