Salary Not Available Position range in Southwestern Region $62k

• $135k Per Year Director of Research Safety and Compliance New Mexico Tech

Occupation:

Management Occupations

Location:

Socorro, NM

• 87801

Job Type:

Regular, Full Time (30 Hours or More)

Posted:

07/31/2026 Positions available: 1

Source:

New Mexico Tech

Web Site:

www.nmt.edu Job #: jo_2006612435 Job Requirements and Properties Help for Job Requirements and Properties. Opens a new window. Work Onsite Full Time Schedule Full Time Job Type Regular Job Description Help for Job Description. Opens a new window.

Posted:

July 31, 2026 POSITION

ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE

DIRECTOR

OF RESEARCH SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

DEPT:

OFFICE OF RESEARCH REG

? TEMP ?

FULL TIME

?

PART TIME

?

STARTING

RATE or

SALARY RANGE

Negotiable Employees being promoted to a higher classified position receive the minimum for the position or a pay rate adjustment of 8% whichever is greater. All regular positions also entitle the employee to several benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement which is largely paid by New Mexico Tech for the employee and dependents.

INTERNAL POSTING THROUGH

Concurrent

CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN FIRST TO TEMPORARY AND REGULAR TECH EMPLOYEES WHO APPLY

WITHIN

THE 7 DAY INTERNAL POSTING. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE 7 DAY POSTING MARGIN WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH OTHER OUTSIDE APPLICANTS. JOB SUMMARY

New Mexico Tech is searching for a new Director of Safety and Compliance. The Director provides strategic leadership, oversight, and direction for the university's comprehensive research safety, and regulatory compliance programs. This role is critical in fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and risk mitigation across all academic, research, and operational units. The Director ensures the university complies with federal, state, and local regulations while supporting a robust, high-impact research enterprise. The position reports directly to the Vice President for Research and collaborates closely with faculty, institutional committees, and external regulatory agencies. The Director oversees a team of staff and all research compliance and safety programs and services at New Mexico Tech, including conflict of interest, export control, research ethics and integrity, responsible conduct of research, hazardous materials, radiation safety, human and animal research protections.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership & Culture

• Develop, implement, and monitor a university-wide research safety and compliance strategic plan that aligns with the institution's research and academic goals.
• Promote a proactive culture of safety, continuous improvement, and environmental stewardship across campus.
• Draft, review, and update institutional policies and procedures regarding laboratory safety, hazardous materials, and regulatory compliance. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure strict compliance with federal agencies such as OSHA, EPA, DOT, CDC, and NIH, as well as state and local bodies.
• Oversee institutional committees (e.g., Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Research Board (IRB), and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) to ensure research protocols meet ethical and legal standards.
• Establish and maintain a rigorous program of routine inspections, audits, and gap analyses for all research laboratories, clinics, and support facilities.

Additional Information Help for Additional Information. Opens a new window.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline. Master's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related scientific/regulatory discipline. A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in research laboratory oversight, specifically including chemical and/or radiation safety, and research safety risk management, preferably within a research university or a complex medical/scientific research facility. Deep working knowledge of federal regulations governing academic research environments. Ability to exercise influence and drive compliance in an environment where authority is decentralized (e.g., working with independent Principal Investigators). Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulations into actionable guidance during high

• stress situations.

Strong capacity to evaluate complex scientific protocols, identify latent risks, and propose creative, compliant solutions that do not unnecessarily stifle research innovation

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

PhD degree in Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related scientific/regulatory discipline.

Certifications:

Certified Chemical Safety Officer, Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Research Safety Professional (CRSP). Proven track record of building collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, particularly tenured faculty, principal investigators, and executive leadership.

LIFTING REQUIREMENTS

(f)requently, (o)ccasionally, or (s)eldom 0

• 15 pounds 15
• 30 pounds 30
• 50 pounds 50
• 100 pounds 100 + pounds.

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