Head of Research Governance

Job Description

<strong>Role Purpose </strong><p><br></p>NEOM is focused on becoming a pre-eminent global location for establishing new technologies and associated industries. This development will encompass many future-facing sectors of activity spanning from education, through health and well-being, the digital world, energy, food, and water, to creative industries, tourism, and sport (https://www.neom.com/en-us). It will inspire Research and Innovation (R&amp;I) programs that are international in scope and characterized by their excellence and topicality.<p><br></p>The Education, Research, and Innovation (ERI) Foundation (ERIF) is one of the four pillars of the NEOM ERI Sector, alongside EC – 12 Education, NEOM U and the Talent Academy. Supporting development of the Research &amp; Innovation Programs at NEOM offers a singular opportunity for a highly experienced and motivated research governance practioner to be involved from the start in one of the world’s most ambitious projects.<p><br></p>The ERIF’s initial flagship program comprises Applied Research Institutes that bridge the gap between academic and industrial activities in key global challenge areas of strategic importance to NEOM. Two Applied Research Institutes are currently underway, in Hydrogen and e-Fuels and in Ocean Science and Solutions.<p><br></p>In addition, the ERIF will establish a suite of shared research infrastructure facilities that will be widely accessible to users from NEOM U, the Applied Research Institutes, Talent Academy, NEOM sectors, start-ups, SMEs, international corporates and institutions, and government agencies. ERIF will further launch Research Initiatives focused on NEOM-relevant global themes, an Academy of International Fellows to engage the global ERI community with the NEOM region and its R&amp;I activities, and a competitive Grant Funding Program.<p><br></p>Taken together, this will help build the R&amp;I ecosystem, in close collaboration with the NEOM sectors and regions, by supporting students, researchers, innovators, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and companies.<p><br></p>The Head of Research Governance will establish a healthy culture of research compliance and oversight across these activities, compatible with the highest international standards, and will direct and oversee institutional policies, processes, and authorizations related to R&amp;I ethics and compliance. They will report to the ERIF Programs Director, who in turn reports to the Executive Director of the ERI Foundation.<p><br></p><strong>Key Accountabilities &amp; Activities</strong><p><br></p><ul><li>Building and sustaining a world class R&amp;I culture </li><li> Oversee ERI Sector policies, processes, and authorizations for R&amp;I ethics and compliance.</li><li> Act as a focus for ERI Sector engagement with the NEOM authority and regulatory bodies and provide guidance regarding the interpretation of R&amp;I ethics and compliance regulations, laws and policies.</li><li>Develop and foster strong collaborative relationships between ERI Foundation, NEOM U, and the Talent Academy across R&amp;I ethics and compliance, including establishment of an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC); and a Research Conduct Committee (RCC).</li><li>Develop training programs and online resources in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and deliver courses to educate NEOM students, researchers, innovators, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and companies in the safe and responsible conduct of R&amp;I.</li><li>Stay current with regulatory changes related to R&amp;I ethics and compliance and continuously update the associated policies and procedures. </li><li>Advise and support the ERI Foundation in developing strategies and procedures for oversight and monitoring of its R&amp;I activities. </li><li>Establish and supervise a R&amp;I Governance team, developing team members with a knowledge and understanding of research ethics and compliance. </li><li>Perform other duties as agreed, including key activities needed to deliver on the purpose of this role.</li></ul><p><br></p><strong>Background, Skills &amp; Qualifications</strong><p><br></p><ul><li> Bachelor’s degree required, pre ferably in STEM, R&amp;I ethics and administration, or law.</li><li> 5+ years of experience required in R&amp;I oversight and governance.</li><li> Experience in chairing and facilitating R&amp;I ethics and governance working groups and committees.</li><li> Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to work with senior internal and external stakeholders.</li><li> Demonstrated flexibility, mature judgment, integrity, and ability to manage complex situations.</li><li> Strong ability to support researchers and innovators in finding appropriate R&amp;I ethics and compliance solutions.</li><li> Proficiency with research compliance and standard office software systems.</li><li> Experience of working in a multi-site, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment is desirable.</li><li> Experience of delivering/facilitating training courses, in-person and online, is desirable.</li><li> An orientation toward self-starting, proactive anticipation of team needs, and creative problem solving.</li></ul>