University of Kentucky
Principal Research Security Architect
🇺🇸
Lexington, KY
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$94K - $160K
💻
Cybersecurity
🗓️
February 19th, 2026
CISM
CISSP
SOX
Edtech.com's Summary
University of Kentucky is hiring a Principal Research Security Architect. This role, titled Associate Director of Research Cyber Technology & Compliance, leads the design of secure research computing infrastructures, ensuring compliance with federal standards such as NIST 800-171, NIST 800-053, CMMC, and export controls for sensitive data ranging from HIPAA-regulated medical datasets to DOD data.
Highlights
- Lead the design of secure infrastructures for sensitive research data, balancing regulatory compliance and cybersecurity.
- Provide strategic leadership at the intersection of advanced data architecture and regulatory compliance.
- Manage compliance with federal standards including NIST 800-171, NIST 800-053, CMMC, HIPAA, and export controls.
- Oversee security architecture within a university setting, focusing on healthcare and academic data.
- Possess expertise in audit frameworks like NYSE, SOX, SOC 1 & 2, and federal assessments.
- Require certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP), or CRISC.
- Minimum education: Master's degree; minimum 10 years of related experience in IT security, compliance or research technology leadership.
- Supervisory responsibilities included.
- Salary range: $93,954 to $159,744 per year.
- Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Principal Research Security Architect Full Description
Principal Research Security Architect
Posting Details
Job Title | Principal Research Security Architect
Requisition Number | RE53295
Working Title | Associate Director of Research Cyber Technology & Compliance
Department Name | 40135:SECURE
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 51
Salary Range | $93,954-159,744/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | MA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 10 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | CISSP, CISM, CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP), or CRISC.
Physical Requirements | Sitting at computer for long periods of time, and repetitive motions.
Shift | Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Job Summary | The University of Kentucky is establishing a new position to safeguard its expanding research computing infrastructure. As our research programs grow in scale and complexity, so do the regulatory demands surrounding our infrastructure. The Associate Director of Research Cyber Technology & Compliance will provide strategic leadership at the intersection of advanced data architecture, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity. This role will lead the design of secure infrastructures for sensitive data, ranging from HIPAA-regulated medical datasets to DOD data while ensuring strict adherence to federal standards including NIST 800-171, NIST 800-053, CMMC, and export controls.
kills / Knowledge / Abilities | Audit & Framework Expertise: Demonstrated success in leading organizations through rigorous external audits, such as NYSE requirements, SOX, SOC 1 & 2, or extensive federal assessments. Academic & Medical Insight: Significant prior experience working within a university system, specifically with oversight of healthcare/medical data compliance (HIPAA) and academic security architecture. Enterprise Architecture: A strong background in security architecture (with a track record of designing and implementing complex enterprise projects (100+ projects preferred). Hybrid Compliance Fluency: The ability to navigate the nuance between NIST 800-171/CMMC (defense research) and HIPAA (medical research). Multi-stakeholder Leadership: The ability to operate and interact with faculty and information systems, understanding the distinct cultures of both.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | Yes
Preferred Education/Experience | 10+ years of experience in IT security, compliance, or research technology leadership.
Deadline to Apply | 03/17/2026
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Requisition Number | RE53295
Working Title | Associate Director of Research Cyber Technology & Compliance
Department Name | 40135:SECURE
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 51
Salary Range | $93,954-159,744/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | MA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 10 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | CISSP, CISM, CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP), or CRISC.
Physical Requirements | Sitting at computer for long periods of time, and repetitive motions.
Shift | Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Job Summary | The University of Kentucky is establishing a new position to safeguard its expanding research computing infrastructure. As our research programs grow in scale and complexity, so do the regulatory demands surrounding our infrastructure. The Associate Director of Research Cyber Technology & Compliance will provide strategic leadership at the intersection of advanced data architecture, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity. This role will lead the design of secure infrastructures for sensitive data, ranging from HIPAA-regulated medical datasets to DOD data while ensuring strict adherence to federal standards including NIST 800-171, NIST 800-053, CMMC, and export controls.
kills / Knowledge / Abilities | Audit & Framework Expertise: Demonstrated success in leading organizations through rigorous external audits, such as NYSE requirements, SOX, SOC 1 & 2, or extensive federal assessments. Academic & Medical Insight: Significant prior experience working within a university system, specifically with oversight of healthcare/medical data compliance (HIPAA) and academic security architecture. Enterprise Architecture: A strong background in security architecture (with a track record of designing and implementing complex enterprise projects (100+ projects preferred). Hybrid Compliance Fluency: The ability to navigate the nuance between NIST 800-171/CMMC (defense research) and HIPAA (medical research). Multi-stakeholder Leadership: The ability to operate and interact with faculty and information systems, understanding the distinct cultures of both.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | Yes
Preferred Education/Experience | 10+ years of experience in IT security, compliance, or research technology leadership.
Deadline to Apply | 03/17/2026
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you have a CISSP, CISM, CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP), or CRISC?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
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