Export Control & Research Security Specialist

Job Summary

**Department Summary: This is a flexible position. The expected onsite presence is twice per year; additional onsite travel may be required based on operational need.

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.

% 

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

40%

YES

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.

40%

YES

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.

15%

YES

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.

5%

YES

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.

100%

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.