Reporting to the Senior Manager, Research Security & Innovation (SMRSI), the Research Security Officer (RSO) will assist the Research Security Specialist (RSS) in performing open source due diligence (OSDD) and risk assessment to safeguard UVic research. The RSO will be the initial point of contact within the Research Security Unit (RSU) for research security reviews of research agreement and contract files being processed by the Contracts Unit. The RSO will contribute in assessing any identified research security risks, drawing the potential implications of OSDD findings, and communicating the OSDD results summary to stakeholders.

The RSO will also provide administrative support to RSU, including but not limited to coordinating meetings with researchers and helping organize research security events for the UVic research community. As a member of RSU, the RSO will also participate in communities of practice for research security.

Role

At varying degrees of involvement, the RSO role will assist in delivering research security services in support of but not limited to the following activities within the university:

- Processing research agreements and contracts
- Exploring research partnerships
- Submitting funding applications
- Hosting visiting researchers
- Hiring faculty members and research chairs
- Appointing adjunct faculty members
- Forming research teams
- Sourcing vendors
- Consulting with UVic-affiliated startups
- Licensing of intellectual properties

Objectives

- Identify potential research security risks through open-source due diligence to safeguard UVic research.
- Support timely and effective research security reviews for research-related activities.
- Assist in evaluating and communicating research security risks to support informed decision-making.
- Contribute to the effective delivery of research security services and initiatives across UVic.





This position requires a level of education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the field of Engineering or Science, with an interest in the field of Research Security, along with 2 years of relevant work experience, preferably in research administration in a post-secondary setting. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Additional Experience

- Proficiency in internet research and data analysis
- Experience in performing risk assessments
- Demonstrated experience in coordinating with functional teams in a collaborative environment
- Demonstrated experience in writing reports and/or developing presentation materials

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

- Ability to efficiently search the internet to gather objective information about entities
- Ability to synthesize large volumes of information into clear, concise, and insightful narratives.
- Ability to perform proportionate risk assessments and identify practical risk mitigation measures
- Experience in writing effective reports and/or developing high-impact presentation materials
- Ability to be a strong team player who works effectively with both peers and supervisors
- Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to reprioritize workload to meet emerging deadlines
- Ability to work under pressure and handle occasional interruptions on activities
- Ability to communicate in a diplomatic, respectful and positive manner
- Highly responsible and thoroughly discreet in dealing with confidential information and sensitive matter
- Excellent organizational skills
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Office and Copilot)

Assets

- Training and experience in conducting open source due diligence
- Knowledge and experience of using open source intelligence tools and techniques
- Familiarity of research security policies in Canada and like-minded countries
- Familiarity of research funding programs and associated research security requirements Experience in leveraging AI to enhance research and workflows

📌 Research Security Officer (Victoria)
🏢 University of Victoria
📍 Victoria