What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate (COI Specialist, 0096739T) position at University of Hawaii?
Description
READVERTISEMENT
Title: Research Associate (COI Specialist)
Position Number: 0096739T
Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Research Compliance (ORC)
Location: UH System Sinclair Building
Date Posted: October 19, 2026
Closing Date: November 25, 2026 @ 11:59pm (extended)
Band: B
Salary: salary schedules and placement information
Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience, 1 position available.
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: This position is annually renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and/or availability of funding.
Duties and Responsibilities:
(NOTE: ** denotes Essential Functions)
- ** Manage the intake, preliminary review, and processing of complex conflict of interest (COI) disclosure documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with institutional and federal requirements.
- ** Maintain compliance records and data integrity across institutional electronic reporting systems and databases; assign disclosures for proper supervisor review and support electronic file management.
- ** Perform detailed data reconciliation by comparing disclosures submitted to external agencies against records in the OVPRI's electronic COI reporting system, identifying and resolving data discrepancies.
- ** Conduct systematic compliance auditing by reviewing researcher and personnel lists to identify individuals with expired COI disclosures or non-compliant training statuses, ensuring adherence to institutional and sponsor mandates.
- ** Draft and distribute professional correspondence to researchers regarding overdue disclosures and training requirements; respond to common COI inquiries and assessment requests from various university programs.
- ** Conduct thorough entity checks on new sponsors and subrecipient records created in the OVPRI's electronic research administration system to verify institutional compliance and evaluate risk factors.
- ** Assist in the administration and lifecycle tracking of active COI Management Plans, including tracking expiration dates, coordinating annual updates, and ensuring accurate documentation.
- ** Conduct research on federal and state regulatory updates to support office standard operating procedures and perform other miscellaneous professional duties as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Professional Work Experience:
- Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, Sociology, or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for research compliance, regulatory administration, data analysis, or conflict of interest management; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:- Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with institutional research oversight, sponsor requirements, and research integrity.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and electronic research administration databases (e.g., myGRANT, rCOI, and Excel/Google Workspace applications)
Supplemental Minimum Qualifications:- Demonstrated professional experience handling sensitive and confidential proprietary information within a university or highly regulated compliance environment.
Desirable Qualifications:- Direct experience with electronic conflict of interest (rCOI or Kuali Build) disclosure systems and data reconciliation within a higher education research institution.
To Apply:
Select the "Apply" button in the top right corner of the screen; first-time NeoGov users will need to create an account. Please ensure your application includes the following materials:
- Cover Letter: A letter detailing your interest and how you meet both the minimum and desirable qualifications. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date to be considered.
- Resume/CV:A current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
- Professional References: The names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references.
- Unofficial Transcripts: Copies of unofficial transcripts are required for the application, though official versions must be provided upon hire. Please note that copies of diplomas and academic summaries are not acceptable substitutes.
- Foreign Credential Evaluation: For degrees earned outside the U.S., you must provide a course-by-course analysis and equivalency statement from a NACES-member agency at your own expense.
Important Note: To protect your privacy, do not include any photos, Social Security Numbers, or dates of birth in your packet. Only the most recent application will be reviewed, and all submitted materials become the property of the University of Hawai’i. Please ensure all documents are complete and legible to be considered by the search committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Inquiries:
Karen Lai; karenlai@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/