Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Export Control and Research Security Officer, the Export Control and Research Security Specialist supports UCSF’s compliance with federal and University of California requirements involving export controls, economic sanctions, research security, international activities, controlled-access data, and foreign engagements. The position serves as a campus compliance resource regarding the Export Administration Regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions programs, the Department of Justice Data Security Program under 28 C.F.R. Part 202, National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33), applicable provisions of the CHIPS and Science Act, federal sponsor requirements, and related University policies.

The Specialist conducts compliance reviews, restricted party screening, export classification and technology control assessments, and reviews involving international shipments, collaborations, visitors, travel, controlled-access data, biological materials, and other international research activities. The position supports institutional training, recordkeeping, risk mitigation, audit readiness, and implementation of new federal and University requirements. The Specialist collaborates with campus stakeholders and escalates complex, sensitive, or potentially reportable matters to the Export Control and Research Security Officer.

Incumbents may be assigned primary responsibility for particular compliance areas based on program needs, workload, expertise, and institutional priorities. All incumbents are expected to maintain sufficient cross-functional knowledge to provide operational coverage across the Export Control and Research Security program.

This is a flexible position that combines remote work with on-site responsibilities for trainings, meetings, audits, and inspections.

Department Overview

The Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) promotes a culture of integrity, accountability, and compliance with laws, regulations, and University policies. OEC provides subject-matter expertise across areas including research compliance, export control, conflict of interest, whistleblower protections, and research security.

The Export Control and Research Security program ensures compliance with federal export control laws and implements the institutional safeguards required under federal research security mandates.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Export Control Compliance: Conduct reviews of research, international shipments, travel, visitors, appointments, collaborations, agreements, software access, technology releases, and material or data transfers to determine applicable export-control and sanctions requirements. Perform restricted-party, ownership, end-user, end-use, and destination reviews. Determine export classifications and licensing or authorization requirements; prepare supporting documentation for license applications and other regulatory submissions; develop and monitor Technology Control Plans; and document determinations in institutional systems. Escalate potential violations, sensitive transactions, and matters requiring legal or federal-agency engagement to the Export Control and Research Security Officer.
• Research Security and Controlled Data Compliance: Support implementation and operation of UCSF’s research-security program under NSPM-33, the CHIPS and Science Act, and applicable NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, ARPA-H, and other sponsor requirements. Conduct reviews of international collaborations, foreign affiliations, appointments, support, contracts, visitors, data-access arrangements, and material transfers to identify disclosure, restricted-party, foreign talent recruitment program, sponsor-prohibition, or other research-security concerns. Support reviews under the DOJ Data Security Program, including matters involving access to bulk U.S. sensitive personal data and government-related data. Collect and analyze documentation responsive to federal-agency and sponsor inquiries, document findings, support mitigation plans, and escalate significant concerns to the Export Control and Research Security Officer.
• Training, Policy, and Outreach: Develop and deliver training on export control and research security compliance for faculty, staff, and students; prepare guidance documents, website content, and communications; contribute to campus briefings and leadership reports.
• Program Administration & Other Duties: Maintain compliance documentation, databases, and audit materials; assist in responding to federal or UC systemwide audits; perform other duties as assigned in support of the OEC mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Three or more years of relevant compliance, research administration, legal, investigative, regulatory, or related experience.
• Working knowledge of U.S. export control and economic sanctions requirements, including the EAR, ITAR, and OFAC sanctions programs.
• Familiarity with federal research-security, disclosure, foreign talent recruitment program, restricted party, and sponsor certification requirements, including NSPM-33 and applicable provisions of the CHIPS and Science Act.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and provide practical guidance to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience conducting documented compliance reviews or investigations.
• Ability to manage multiple matters with competing deadlines.
• Experience preparing written findings, risk assessments, or compliance determinations.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and organize information supporting federal-agency or sponsor inquiries.
• Experience using screening, case-management, research-administration, or investigative databases.
• Strong professional judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential or sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education or biomedical research institution.
• Knowledge of UC policies and compliance structures.
• Experience with restricted party screening, research analytics, case management, or research administration systems, such as Descartes Visual Compliance, Huron, Dimensions, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience drafting and implementing Technology Control Plans.
• Familiarity with federal data security, controlled access data, and cybersecurity requirements applicable to sponsored research, including NIST SP 800-171 when applicable.

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: UCSF Compensation and Benefits.