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DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH MISCONDUCT PROCEEDINGS
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH MISCONDUCT PROCEEDINGS
Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The Office of Research has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of the Office of Research Misconduct Proceedings to join their team.
POSITION PURPOSE
Director (E S 10) The Director of the Office of Research Misconduct Proceedings (ORMP) will have responsibility for the investigation and reporting of possible research misconduct as required under University of Washington Executive Order 61: http://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/PO/E061.html . The Director will coordinate and actively participate in assessments, inquiries and investigations into allegations of research misconduct in consultation and cooperation with the schools, colleges, and campuses.
POSITION COMPLEXITIES
The Director must demonstrate a high level of initiative, judgment, and analytical skills, be collaborative, and have the ability to effectively coordinate and communicate with a variety of offices and individuals throughout the University community.
POSITION DIMENSIONS AND IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY
In addition to oversight of 3 research administrative and compliance-related units (Office of Sponsored Programs, Human Subjects Division, and Office of Research Information Services), the Office of Research has other responsibilities, such as Research Compliance, Financial Conflict of Interest management, and Faculty Outside Work approvals. In contrast, the role of the Director of ORMP is investigative, rather than compliance oriented. Investigation and reporting of possible research misconduct is a requirement of federal and other funding agencies, as well as the University, under Executive Order 61: http://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/PO/EO61.html . The Director of the ORMP will be responsible for conducting investigations, in coordination with departments, schools, and campuses, as well as maintaining the resulting records, strictly for research misconduct activities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Overseeing/administering proceedings in compliance with federal regulations & UW policy (65%)
Receiving and assessing allegations of potential Research Misconduct, including
- Interviewing Complainant(s)
- Potentially requesting a subject matter expert from the relevant school or college to assist with assessment
- If it is determined that an Inquiry is not warranted, clearly documenting the reasons ORMP is declining to pursue the matter
Conducting Inquiries when allegations align with criteria provided in E.O. 61, including
- Coordinating with relevant UW offices and personnel (Dean’s office, etc.)
- Forensically sequestering and safeguarding evidence (which may require coordinating with outside forensics consultants and UWIT)
- Drafting notice letter of allegations and Inquiry to Respondent(s) as established in E.O. 61, as supported by evidence
- Providing notice to Respondent(s)
- Supporting the identification, vetting, and briefing of Inquiry subject matter expert(s)
- Drafting the Inquiry report, and allowing respondent(s) a comment period prior to finalizing
- When Investigation is warranted, notifying relevant federal office(s) (e.g., ORI, NSF-OIG)
Facilitating Research Misconduct Investigations when evidence aligns with criteria provided in E.O. 61, including
- Coordinating with relevant Dean’s office to initiate Investigation and identify potential ad-hoc Advisory Committee members (and, where warranted, additional subject matter experts)
- Conducting analysis and interviews to identify and mitigate any conflicts of interest
- Orienting and onboarding Advisory Committee members to Research Misconduct (the Investigation process, interviewing techniques and policy standards/criteria)
- Scheduling and facilitating Investigation meetings and maintaining procedural progress
- Arranging and ensuring success of witness interviews
- Drafting/reviewing Investigation reports, and allowing Respondent(s) a comment period prior to finalizing
- Consulting on administrative actions, corrections and/or retractions resulting from Investigations
- Finalizing cases (e.g., arranging meeting between Advisory Committee and relevant Dean(s), providing draft determination letter)
- Reporting results to the appropriate federal office(s) (e.g., ORI, NSF-OIG)
Conducting post-Investigation actions and/or monitoring
- Reporting findings to funders (e.g., NIH, private funders) where appropriate via coordination with UW’s Office of Sponsored Programs
- Documenting completion of administrative actions, corrections and/or retractions resulting from Investigations
- In cooperation with other institutional officials, take all reasonable and practical steps to protect or restore the reputations of good faith Complainants, witnesses, and committee members, and to counter potential or actual retaliation against them
General procedural-related responsibilities
- Consulting with legal counsel where appropriate
- Liaoning with federal offices/agencies where appropriate on case-related matters
- Maintaining confidentiality in all proceedings as provided in E.O. 61
- Overseeing all communication with Respondent(s) on behalf of the university related to Research Misconduct matters
- When a Respondent intends to admit to committing Research Misconduct, working with that Respondent, Dean’s office, federal regulators, and relevant attorneys as appropriate
- Keeping senior administrators (e.g., the Deciding Official) informed of the progress of the review of allegations/proceedings
- Maintaining proceeding records in compliance with regulations and UW’s records retention policy
- Establishing and maintaining business relationships with outside vendors and subject matter experts where necessary and appropriate (e.g., forensics specialists, court reporters, outside council)
Maintaining policies & procedures (5%)Monitoring updates to federal regulations that impact UW’s Research Misconduct Policy (i.e., E.O. 61) and working with the appropriate stakeholders and offices to revise E.O. 61 and other, related UW policies (e.g., UW records retention policy) when changes are necessary for compliance with federal regulations
Establishing (and maintaining) administrative processes for assessing, inquiring, investigating, and reporting allegations of Research Misconduct that comply with applicable federal regulations
Filing timely annual assurances with the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), HHS
Liaising with federal offices/agencies where appropriate (e.g., in the rule-making process and other institutional engagement opportunities)
Handling complex matters that result from allegations (15%)For allegations that implicate E.O. 61 and another UW policy (presumably implementing regulatory and/or legal compliance), communicate with the relevant institutional official(s) overseeing other areas (ensuring appropriate timing)
Collaborating with the UW Office of Academic Personnel and the relevant Dean’s Office(s) to appropriately integrate the handling of allegations of Research Misconduct with the application of Section 25-71 of the UW Faculty Code, as applicable
Coordinating with other institutions/agencies on Research Misconduct complaints and/or cases that involve UW and the other institution(s), determining how to handle process and respective roles and responsibilities (including, but not limited to, joint proceedings)
Handling exigent circumstances (e.g., if public health and/or safety is at risk, seeking the suspension of research activities; working with UW Media Relations, if necessary)
Coordinating with Office of Public Records on public records requests (which may include asking refining questions and working on redactions)
Working with Dean’s office if Respondent(s) or others request that sequestered samples be split for ongoing research purposes
Working with Dean’s office, health professionals, and individual (e.g., respondent) to accommodate, as appropriate, health issues that may affect a Research Misconduct proceeding or the individual’s well-being
Coordinating with UW and outside attorneys if a case-related matter goes to litigation
Overseeing ORMP operations, budget and staff (5%)Ensuring sufficient resources for ORMP operations based on caseload
Supervising and training ORMP staff
Managing vendor relationships
Maintaining metrics
Ensuring sound fiscal practices and compliance with UW Finance policies
Promoting Research Integrity at UW (10%)For allegations that do not meet E.O. 61 criteria, triaging matter to the appropriate institutional office
Participating in UW’s Responsible Conduct of Research program, as requested
Ensuring Director and ORMP accessibility (via web page, dedicated email, prominence in institutional directories, etc.)
Advising the campus community and external entities regarding UW Research Misconduct policies (e.g., maintaining webpage with relevant information, beyond lengthy policy found under E.O. 61 webpage)
Supporting the Office of Research’s handling of Research Integrity matters, which may include:
Breach of confidentiality during the peer review process
Refusing data access to another researcher
Inadequate mentoring/supervision of research trainees/assistants
Improper authorship practices
Misrepresentation in an academic context (e.g., on CV)
Maintaining inadequate research records
Failure to maintain records for an adequate amount of time
Implementing best practices, such as:
Establishing and maintaining template document forms for proceedings
Maintaining a library of misconduct proceedings
Maintaining a library of faculty who have worked on ORMP matters
Providing Advisory Committees an electronic workspace during Investigations
Understanding intersections of Research Misconduct and other aspects of the research enterprise
Actively participate in the Association of Research Integrity Officers (ARIO) on a federal and regional level to ensure the highest standards are employed
Lead Responsibilities:The Director will lead Investigations, directly supervising ORMP staff who are assisting and leading individuals from the academic unit(s) involved.
Supervisory Responsibilities:The Director will directly supervise one Compliance Analyst and temporary staff. The Director will supervise the work of contracted individuals.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTSBachelor’s degree and 5+ years of research misconduct investigatory experience, or JD or PhD in a research discipline, plus a minimum of 3 years investigatory experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSCandidates should be familiar with the scientific research environment and general research practice.
Experience in a higher education setting
Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
Ability to monitor, comprehend and comply with federal and state laws and regulations as well as institutional policies and procedures
Demonstrated initiative to take or recommend action, as appropriate, in all areas of responsibility, including being proactive, as needed
Demonstrated ability to address complex and sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality
Excellent writing and communication skills
Ability to identify, navigate and extract relevant information from a variety of data files
Ability to plan and implement evidence sequestration and investigation-type protocols
Ability to conduct fact-based interviews
Ability to understand/comprehend various fields of science and research
Ability to conduct research misconduct inquiry
Ability to advise University committees conducting investigations into research misconduct
Ability to communicate complex regulatory and case-based information orally and in writing to a variety of UW audiences
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONSJuris Doctor Degree or PhD in related research scientific field plus a minimum of 5 years’ experience in legal investigatory or other compliance-related matters.
If JD, candidates should be familiar with the scientific research environment and general research practice. If PhD, candidates should have administrative experience in legal investigatory or other compliance-related matters. A minimum of 4-5 years’ experience in one of these areas is required.
CONDITITONS OF EMPLOYMENTGeneral office environment and occasional visits to research laboratories
OTHER COMMENTSThis position will require occasional-to-frequent on-campus presence, with a hybrid work schedule possible.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .
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