Research Integrity Investigations Administrator

About the job

Under the direction of the Research Integrity Officer, the Grant Compliance Administrator I provides substantive administrative, analytical, and investigative support for the University’s research-integrity and research-misconduct program. The position supports the full lifecycle of matters involving alleged fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and related research-integrity concerns, from the initial receipt and documentation of allegations through preliminary assessment, inquiry, investigation, institutional decision-making, required reporting, corrective-action monitoring, and case closeout. The position also assists in distinguishing matters that fall within the University’s research-misconduct process from authorship disputes, honest error, differences of scientific opinion, general research noncompliance, employment concerns, and other issues that may require referral to a different institutional office or process.

The position manages sensitive and frequently complex case records; monitors procedural requirements, deadlines, and required notifications; and supports the preservation, sequestration, organization, and review of research records and other potentially relevant evidence. Responsibilities include assisting with structured interviews; reviewing publications, research data, laboratory and electronic records, correspondence, policies, and other documentation; developing factual chronologies; identifying evidentiary consistencies, discrepancies, and gaps; and preparing accurate, neutral, and well-supported summaries, memoranda, notices, correspondence, and draft reports.

The Grant Compliance Administrator I coordinates the administrative activities of inquiry and investigation panels, including conflict-of-interest screening, scheduling, preparation and secure distribution of case materials, meeting support, documentation of procedural actions, and tracking of panel requests and deliverables. The position also facilitates appropriate coordination among the Research Integrity Officer, University counsel, information technology, colleges, faculty and academic leaders, research administrators, sponsors, collaborating institutions, journals, and governmental oversight agencies. The position exercises independent judgment and applies research-integrity subject-matter expertise when analyzing assigned matters, identifying procedural or evidentiary risks, determining necessary follow-up, and recommending appropriate next steps. All work must be performed impartially and with strict attention to confidentiality, evidence integrity, procedural fairness, recordkeeping, and applicable University, sponsor, and governmental requirements. The position does not independently make final findings of research misconduct or other institutional determinations; those authorities remain with the Research Integrity Officer, review panels, and other officials designated by University policy.

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Responsibilities

The primary duties and responsibilities for this position include: • Receives and documents allegations and related information; supports initial triage and preliminary assessments of jurisdiction, applicable definitions, specificity, credibility, time limitations, and other threshold considerations. • Coordinates evidence-preservation and sequestration activities with the Research Integrity Officer, University counsel, information technology, colleges, and other offices; maintains organized records of collection, custody, access, and disposition. • Conducts or supports structured, neutral interviews; reviews research records, publications, electronic communications, policies, and other evidence; develops chronologies and identifies material consistencies, inconsistencies, gaps, and follow-up needs without prejudging outcomes. • Administers inquiry and investigation panels, including conflict-of-interest screening, appointment and scheduling support, preparation of case materials, meeting coordination, deadline tracking, and documentation of procedural actions. • Drafts notices, correspondence, case summaries, procedural memoranda, interview summaries, reports, and other written materials for review by the Research Integrity Officer, panels, University counsel, and designated institutional officials. • Maintains secure and confidential case files, case-management records, status reports, and audit trails; monitors procedural deadlines, required notifications, corrective actions, and matter closeout in accordance with applicable requirements. • Coordinates, as directed, with respondents, complainants, witnesses, faculty and academic leaders, research administrators, sponsors, collaborating institutions, governmental oversight agencies, and other stakeholders while preserving appropriate role boundaries and confidentiality. • Researches and analyzes applicable laws, regulations, sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and procedural standards; assists with development of procedures, templates, training materials, and process improvements that support consistent and defensible case administration. • Identifies and promptly escalates conflicts of interest, threats to evidence, procedural risks, public health or safety concerns, sponsor-reporting issues, retaliation concerns, and other matters requiring institutional action. • Supports other research-integrity, research-research-compliance, audit, or special-project responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree -OR- equivalent combination of related education and experience.  Minimum of three (3) years of related experience

•    Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S. •   SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements •    A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed: (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree; (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree; (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree •    Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment. •    Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Additional Information for Applicants

This position requires a Level I background check.

The hiring salary for this position is: $56,966 - $71,207.50

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

Additional Information

• Job Identification: 44480
• Job Category: Research
• Posting Date: 2026-10-06
• Apply Before: 2026-10-27
• Locations: 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, US
• Hiring Salary: $56,966 - $71,207.50
• Essential Personnel: No