Institutional Review Board Director

The New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) seeks a collaborative, strategic, and systems-oriented leader to serve as its next Institutional Review Board (IRB) Director (Director). Reporting to the Director of Research at NYSPI and Chief Medical Officer of the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Director will be responsible for designing, establishing, and maintaining the IRB staffing and organizational structure to effectively accomplish the HRPP program function. This is an incredible opportunity to help create robust and lasting regulatory systems to support and contribute to the future of clinical care for those with mental illness.

Since its inception, NYSPI has been at the forefront of psychiatry. Among its accomplishments are: the discovery of the spirochetal origin of general paresis; the earliest use of lithium in the United States; the first data describing a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia; leadership in the discovery of the genes causing Huntington's and Wilson's disease; and the development of the DSM-III, DSM III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5-TR. This is an incredible opportunity to help create strong regulatory systems to support and contribute to the vital work and research at one of the oldest and largest institutes of its kind in the country. 

As a part of the larger New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), the Director and, by extension, the NYSPI IRB, is responsible for assessing all downstate OMH human subject projects requiring expedited or full board review. The incumbent will: direct the IRB staff and office; provide regulatory guidance to the IRB Chair, members, investigators, and Institute leadership; provide support and guidance to investigators in the design and submission of research protocols; and oversee the electronic protocol submission and management system. In coordinator with other directors, this individual will be responsible for the coordination of education and training to promote the highest standards for the conduct of human subjects research. Additionally, the Director will work closely with the Director of Regulatory Policy and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research’s (NKI) IRB management to assume responsibility for the interpretation and deployment of policies that govern the OMH IRBs at NKI and NYSPI.

Confidential inquiries, nominations/referrals, and/or resumes with cover letters may be submitted electronically below. 

Becca Kennedy is leading this search with Angelo Alexander and Cortnee Bollard.

Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.