University of South Carolina is hiring a Research Security and Export Control Specialist. This role supports the Chief Research Security Officer in executing a comprehensive Research Security Program focused on export control and compliance with federal research security regulations. The specialist conducts risk assessments, supports compliance training, reviews contracts, and manages related research security activities.
Highlights
Primary responsibilities include supporting export control compliance, conducting risk assessments, developing control and mitigation plans, and managing research security programs.
Must assist in compliance with federal laws such as NSPM-33, ITAR, EAR, OFAC sanctions, and the Chips and Science Act.
Responsibilities include reviewing contracts and agreements, supporting visa screening, and administering training programs.
Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 3 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and certification.
Must be a US Citizen with an active or obtainable US Government security clearance and possess or obtain export control compliance certification.
Preferred experience includes 4 years in export control or research security, with knowledge of higher education research security and relevant federal regulations.
Strong skills needed in communication, relationship management, critical thinking, policy interpretation, and handling sensitive compliance matters.
Familiarity with federal export control regulations and experience working with cross-functional teams is essential.
Compensation ranges from $59,581 to $89,371 annually.
Position supports the Office of Research, reporting to the Chief Research Security Officer, involving interaction with faculty, scholars, and students regarding research security compliance.
Research Security and Export Control Specialist Full Description
Research Security and Export Control Specialist
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by September 1, 2025
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
Dependent Scholarships
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Posting Details
Posting Summary
Logo | Posting Number | STA00651PO25 Job Family | Audit, Compliance and Risk Management Job Function | Compliance USC Market Title | Compliance Analyst Link to USC Market Title | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/145659 Job Level | P3 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) | Research Security and Export Control Specialist Campus | Columbia Work County | Richland College/Division | Office of Research Department | OOR Office of VP for Research State Pay Band | 7 Approved Starting Salary | $59,581 Advertised Salary Range | $59,581 - $89,371 Location of Vacancy | Columbia, SC Part/Full Time | Full Time Hours per Week | 37.5 Work Schedule | Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm with one hour for lunch. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule in support of office needs.
Basis | 12 months Job Search Category | Other
About USC
About University of South Carolina | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary | The Research Security and Export Control Specialist will report directly to the Chief Research Security Officer (CRSO) and support the execution of a comprehensive Research Security Program, with a primary focus on export control and related research security activities. The Research Security and Export Control Specialist will support the CRSO in other areas of research security program compliance, as needed.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience | Bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience. Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials | Must be a US Citizen. Must possess an active US Government security clearance or have the ability to obtain a US Government security clearance upon hire. Must possess an export control compliance certification or will obtain upon hire.
Preferred Qualifications | Prefer Degree in a related field – which includes but is not limited to higher education research security, defense, and legal/policy in research security. Prefer four (4) years of direct experience in export control and/or research security. Research security experience must include experience with NSPM-33, Chips & Science Act and other relevant regulations.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities | Effective written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment. Ability to manage complex compliance matters with professionalism and discretion. Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Ability to translate complex policy issues to multiple audiences. Advanced knowledge and advanced understanding of US government security regulations and intelligence/counterintelligence operations to include the implementation and management of compliance processes, procedures, and best practices. Strong familiarity and experience with federal regulations on export controls including, but not limited to, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Experience working with integrated, cross-functional work teams. Strong relationship-building, negotiation and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to expertly handle sensitive discussions with discretion, sound judgement and strong integrity. Experience in adapting government regulations in a non-governmental environment, especially higher education, is a plus.
Job Duties
Job Duty | Assists with ensuring the University’s compliance with federal laws and regulations including NSPM-33, the Chips and Science Act, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), OFAC Sanctions and other evolving research security and export control regulations. Conducts due diligence and risk assessments to identify and mitigate risks related to export controls, sanctions, foreign influence, and research security, while ensuring adherence to federal regulations, sponsor agency requirements, and university policies.
Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 40Job Duty | Supports the development and auditing of Technology Control Plans, Research Security Plans, and Risk Mitigation Plans. Administer, support, and monitor compliance with export control and research security training.
Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20Job Duty | Supports preliminary export control and/or research security analysis for risks in international collaborations and travel. Assists with reviewing various contracts and agreements providing guidance on export controls, sanctions, and research security compliance. Assists with faculty, scholar, and student visa screening reviews.
Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 25Job Duty | Responsible for departmental data/records management. Supports other export control and research security initiatives, as directed.
Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 15
Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive | No Hazardous weather category | Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies | 1 Desired Start Date | Job Open Date | 08/11/2025 Job Close Date | 09/01/2025 Open Until Filled | No Special Instructions to Applicant | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by September 1, 2025
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC. Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/192986 EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
Yes
No
* Are you a US Citizen?
Yes
No
* Do you possess an active US Government security clearance or have the ability to obtain a US Government security clearance upon hire?
Yes
No
* Do you possess an export control compliance certification or have the ability to obtain upon hire?
Yes
No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents
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