Research Compliance Coordinator

Job Summary

The Research Compliance Coordinator supports the University's research compliance program by coordinating the administrative and operational functions of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and post-approval monitoring activities for the Institutional Review Board (IRB). This position also supports institutional compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and institutional regulations governing animal care and use and human subjects research. Working collaboratively with faculty, instructors, researchers, committee members, institutional leadership, and regulatory agencies, the coordinator provides regulatory guidance, program administration, compliance oversight, training, and records management to promote compliant research and instructional practices.

FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation, accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home here.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Coordinates the administration of the University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance programs, ensuring adherence to applicable federal, state, local, and institutional regulations, policies, and accreditation standards.
• Administers protocol processes for instructional activities involving animals and research, including submission, pre-review, committee review, approvals, amendments, continuing reviews, post-approval monitoring, and records retention.
• Collaborates with faculty and instructional personnel to oversee the use of animals in teaching and instructional activities, providing regulatory guidance, coordinating protocol review and compliance oversight, and ensuring humane animal care and adherence to applicable federal, state, local, and institutional requirements.
• Develops, implements, maintains, and periodically revises standard operating procedures (SOPs), regulatory documentation, databases, tracking systems, and committee records to support effective support effective compliance operations for research and instructional activities involving animals.
• Oversees key components of the institutional animal care and use program, including occupational health and safety requirements, veterinary care coordination with the Attending Veterinarian, animal health and welfare training, emergency preparedness and disaster response planning, facility compliance, and monitoring of animal use in instructional and research activities and animal colonies.
• Coordinates IACUC meetings, semiannual program reviews, facility inspections, post-approval monitoring activities, and corrective action follow-up to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Collaborates with investigators, faculty, and research personnel to provide guidance on regulatory requirements, protocol development, humane animal care and use, and best practices for the humane and compliant conduct of teaching and research involving animals.
• Facilitates communications among investigators, committee members, institutional officials, and regulatory agencies, including preparation of meeting materials, committee correspondence, required reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Maintains comprehensive and accurate compliance records, protocol files, committee documentation, and institutional regulatory reports in accordance with applicable record retention requirements.
• Coordinates and evaluates education and training programs related to research compliance and the use of animals in instructional activities for investigators, research personnel, and committee members, assessing program effectiveness and recommending continuous improvements.
• Monitors changes in applicable regulations, guidance, and industry best practices through professional literature, training, and conferences, recommending revisions to institutional policies, procedures, and compliance programs as appropriate.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports compliance metrics and program data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and support process improvements and strategic planning.
• Oversees institutional controlled substance activities related to research and teaching, ensuring compliance with applicable Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations and institutional policies.
• Monitors animal care and use facilities and activities to identify potential compliance concerns, coordinate corrective actions, and promptly report significant animal welfare issues to the IACUC, Attending Veterinarian, Institutional Official, or other appropriate institutional authorities.
• Serves as the primary liaison with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies regarding research compliance matters and assists with regulatory inspections, audits, and accreditation activities.

Other Duties:

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either six years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience supporting IACUC administration, animal care and use programs for research and teaching, research compliance, or a closely related field.
• Experience in animal science/biology, knowledge of care of captive and wild animals in a variety of taxa (e.g., fish, amphibians, reptiles, rodents).
• Experience supporting institutional compliance programs related to the use of animals in research and teaching.
• Experience coordinating research and teaching compliance programs and working with institutional compliance committees in a higher education environment.
• Professional IACUC Administrator certification or ability to earn.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Proven ability to think strategically and approach challenges with creativity.
• Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, and holding oneself accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively across teams.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures, and guidelines established by professional organizations and/or governing agencies.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, statues, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility.
• Knowledge of administrative and regulatory operations of compliance committees.
• Knowledge of and ability to work with legal documents and budgets.
• Knowledge of human subject research compliance and Department of Health and Human Services regulations.
• Knowledge of animal health and welfare compliance, including regulations and guidelines established by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other applicable regulatory agencies.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in collecting and analyzing complex data.
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects when numerous and complex demands are involved.
• Ability to operate personal computers with proficiency and learn new applications and systems.
• Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.
• Ability to work successfully as both a member of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with staff, faculty, students, and the community in a service-oriented environment.
• Ability to think critically and make clear, well-reasoned and timely decisions.
• Ability to facilitate and coordinate meetings.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures consistently.

Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectation

In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open for feedback and new ideas.
• Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work; persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achieve deliverables.
• Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnerships across departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues to achieve common goals.

Pay Grade 17

Applications received by August 7, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

At Florida Gulf Coast University, employees are expected to work on campus as part of a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Its on-site presence is essential to supporting the university's operations and advancing student learning across the institution.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.