Export Compliance & Research Security Officer

About KAUST and the Role

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) is seeking an Export Compliance & Research Security Officer to join its team in Makkah, specifically covering Jeddah and Makkah. This full-time position, requiring over 10 years of experience, is integral to the Export Control Compliance (ECC) Team within the Office of General Counsel. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining the University’s export compliance program, with a particular emphasis on * export compliance regulations, including those related to High-Performance Computing (HPC) such as the Shaheen III supercomputer, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced semiconductors.

Role Context and Purpose

The Export Compliance and Research Security Officer (ECRSO) proactively advises on and ensures adherence to * Export Administration Regulations (EAR), license conditions, and other applicable export control requirements governing KAUST's operation of controlled technologies and items. This position requires detailed knowledge of export control regulations, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities, working at the intersection of compliance, technology, and research administration. The ECRSO plays a critical role in enabling compliant access to KAUST's supercomputing resources while ensuring strict adherence to export control requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain KAUST’s export compliance program, including * export controls and license conditions.
• Develop and execute export compliance processes for Shaheen III supercomputer access, use, and operations.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, workflows, and desk guides related to export control compliance.
• Collaborate with academic and research divisions to conduct export compliance and research security reviews.
• Advise on complex export control and research security issues concerning artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced semiconductors.
• Conduct export classification and maintain records of research activities and technologies, including international shipments.
• Determine the availability of export license exceptions for controlled items and information.
• Provide technical review and analysis of technologies and items for export compliance and research security.
• Partner with KAUST Digital Services to ensure compliance with export controls and license conditions.
• Conduct restricted party screening and due diligence reviews for Shaheen III administrative access and users.
• Review research proposals and user access requests for export compliance considerations.
• Provide export compliance risk assessments for large-scale research collaborations and strategic partnerships.
• Develop, implement, and deliver comprehensive export compliance and research security training.
• Support preparation of export license applications in coordination with suppliers and research partners.
• Implement and audit Technology Control Plans, Research Control Plans, or End User Certifications.
• Prepare for and provide support during assessments, audits, investigations, or regulatory inquiries.
• Conduct export compliance and research security outreach to faculty and staff.
• Monitor export control regulatory developments impacting KAUST.
• Mentor and coach team members on export compliance and research security matters.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on export compliance and research security.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Over 10 years of experience in export compliance.
• Strong knowledge of export control laws, regulations, standards, and their application.
• Experience with restricted party screening, due diligence review processes, and compliance verification/assessments.
• Experience with export and research compliance documentation, procedures, and recordkeeping.
• Familiarity with NIST standards for security and access controls and risk assessment frameworks.
• Experience with end-user verification processes.
• Experience with compliance databases and tracking systems.
• Proven ability to implement and improve compliance procedures in regulated environments.
• Experience with export compliance in academic or research settings is preferred.
• Familiarity with research administration processes is preferred.

Key Competencies

• Knowledge of general management principles and practices.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and facilitate research activities.
• Ability to interact effectively with faculty, staff, and students in a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to prioritize projects.
• Sound and ethical judgment in assessing compliance requirements and risks.
• Interest in learning, analyzing, and applying relevant laws and regulations in a university environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under deadline pressures.
• Ability to explain compliance requirements clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Discretion with confidential and sensitive information.
• Adaptability in responding to evolving compliance requirements.
• Strong client service orientation while enforcing compliance requirements.

Application Process

This full-time position offers a competitive salary, which will be disclosed during the recruitment process. Candidates meeting the qualifications are encouraged to apply.