Research Security Analyst

Engineering a world of possibilities

Research Security Analyst - Office of Research and Technology Transfer

THE OPPORTUNITY
Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a Research Security Analyst at who will lead efforts to enhance the research enterprise at this R1 public research university.  Mines applies innovative approaches, where faculty and graduate students work on interdisciplinary teams, and in top research centers.

As a member of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (RTT), the analyst serves as the research security officer and drives and supports Mines' research security programs, including the facility security program, cybersecurity maturity model certification, export compliance, and security evaluations of international partnerships.  The Officer manages Mines’ relationship with federal industrial security authorities and sponsors; establishes processes to protect sensitive technologies; provides training and education; initiates personnel security clearances; manages all university employees’ use of restricted party screening software; and corrects any deficiencies or violations.  Research integrity and security are force multipliers for university research, demonstrating to research sponsors Mines’ dedication to our research values.  These initiatives directly contribute to the university becoming a first-choice partner for federal labs and agencies and public and private partners.  

This is a full-time position with hybrid work arrangements within the State of Colorado. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

FACILITY SECURITY OFFICER (50%)

• Develop and manage industrial security program

• Partner with Mines faculty and sponsors to identify opportunities for research in this new space

• Work with sponsor and university leadership to write and submit or update foreign ownership, control, or influence application materials

• Advise and guide university researchers in applying for personnel clearances

• Educate and train cleared researchers

• Act as liaison between Mines’ researchers, university leaders, and security agencies

• Prepare Mines for federal inspections and maintain all systems required for industrial security

• Implement structure for university efforts to promote international research collaborations in a manner consistent with laws and regulations as well as university policies and guidelines

• Advise RTT and university faculty and administrative leaders on trends in facility and research security, including enforcement activities affecting the conduct of research

• Report progress, challenges, and accomplishments to the Research Integrity and Security Committee (RISC) advisory group

• Support periodic comprehensive risk assessments for effective risk-based decision making

• Ensure current registration with agencies such as Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and US/Canada Joint Certification Program – share information with sponsors and employees

• Build professional relationships with partners across and beyond campus for the benefit of RTT

CYBERSECURITY MATURITY MODEL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (25%)

• Develop, implement, and manage Mines’ program for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

• Create a Secure Government Enclave (SGE) for use of each Mines faculty member with a restricted research contract by collaborating with Information Technology

• Guide faculty members and researchers through process of requesting an SGE

• Ensure training of all researchers engaging in controlled unclassified information (CUI) research prior to their gaining access to CUI and an SGE

• Identify and work with the owners of each of the 110 standards identified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST Special Publication 800-171)

• Establish and maintain Mines’ score in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) to protect CUI – design and maintain CMMC-required records in Mines’ compliance management platform

• Establish technology control plans (TCPs) to document and safeguard restricted technologies

• Review existing TCPs for extension, modification, or close out

• Conduct internal reviews of all CMMC operations – spot check, report, and address violations

• Bring Mines quickly back into full compliance when regulations change, or university fails to meet the standards for cybersecurity

• Identify resource needs and lead SGE/CMMC team to implement solutions

EXPORT CONTROLS (15%)

• Support Export Control Officers in all export controls functions:

  • Review research contracts, end use/ end user statements, and nondisclosure agreements in close coordination with researchers and with the Offices of Research Administration, Procurement, Technology Transfer, Compliance and Policy, and General Counsel

  • Classify technologies, evaluate restrictions, recommend license determinations, and apply for federal export licenses

  • Monitor on-going research projects to determine when a license may be required as circumstances change

  • Manage vendor relationship for restricted party screening software (RPS) -- identify and update appropriate screening lists for Mines users -- remove common false matches

  • Determine university employees’ access needs for official purposes and manage users’ access to RPS

  • Provide training to campus employees who use RPS for international sponsors, vendors, subcontractors, research partners, donors, and users of high-performance computing (HPC)

  • Adjudicate screening questions from decentralized network of campus users of RPS

  • Evaluate feasibility of conducting an export control review of capital equipment items -- work with property management to identify, mark, and track restricted equipment items

  • Implement international shipping review process, provide online resources and training

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (10%)

• Develop and implement dashboards of key performance indicators to define and track Research Integrity and Security success, in coordination with Institutional Research and Strategic Analysis

• Create web content, analyses, and presentation materials related to research integrity and security, such as benchmarking, current events, and researcher guidelines for RTT sites

• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field

• Three years’ professional related experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work professionally and develop trust of faculty and staff in a university environment 

• Eligible for a Department of Energy and/or Department of Defense personnel clearance at the Q level or TS/SCI

• Demonstrated project management/teamwork skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced degree in a related field

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a university or government setting 

• DoE and/or DoD personnel clearance at the Q level or TS SCI

• Experience with cybersecurity maturity model certification, export controls, or research security program

• Experience with a governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) system, preferably MetricStream

• Data management or analytical skills 

• Design or web development skills

Annual Salary Rate and Benefits

$73,200 - $83,800

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees. 

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes: 

• Excellent health care coverage options

• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.  

• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution 

• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents) 

• Free RTD Ecopass 

• All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), and backup child and elder care. Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits. 

How to Apply

Priority review of applications will begin on Monday, August 26th and continue until filled. Applicants must:

• Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV

• Upload a cover letter

Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at kfeighny@mines.edu with any questions. 

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this position. This posting may be used to fill multiple openings. 

About Mines & Golden, CO 

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines. 

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023). 

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.  

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size. 

That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.  

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few. 

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.  

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons.  Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting