IRB
IRB (Institutional Review Board) is a committee at universities and research institutions that reviews and monitors research involving human participants. Think of it as a safety check system that ensures research studies are ethical and protect the rights of people participating in them. When you see IRB mentioned in a resume, it usually means the person has experience getting research approved, managing the approval process, or serving on these review committees. This is particularly important in educational, medical, or social science research settings.
Examples in Resumes
Managed IRB submissions and approvals for 15+ research projects
Served as IRB committee member reviewing human subjects research protocols
Coordinated with Institutional Review Board to ensure compliance with research ethics guidelines
Typical job title: "IRB Coordinators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find IRB Coordinators
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where a researcher disagrees with the IRB's decision?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate conflict resolution skills, deep knowledge of regulations, and ability to communicate effectively while maintaining ethical standards and compliance.
Q: What experience do you have with developing IRB policies and training programs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience creating guidelines, training materials, and processes that help researchers and staff understand and comply with research ethics requirements.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key elements you look for when reviewing an IRB application?
Expected Answer: Should mention consent forms, risk assessment, participant protection measures, and research methodology, showing understanding of basic review requirements.
Q: How do you stay current with changes in research ethics regulations?
Expected Answer: Should discuss professional development, attending conferences, participating in workshops, and following updates from regulatory bodies.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the purpose of an IRB?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that IRBs protect human research subjects and ensure ethical research practices in simple terms.
Q: What's the difference between exempt, expedited, and full board review?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of different review levels based on risk to participants and type of research.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of research ethics principles
- Processing IRB applications
- Maintaining research protocol files
- Basic regulatory knowledge
Mid (2-5 years)
- Review of research protocols
- Training researchers on IRB processes
- Managing IRB databases
- Conducting ethics consultations
Senior (5+ years)
- Policy development and implementation
- Leading IRB meetings
- Complex protocol review management
- Staff supervision and training
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of knowledge about basic research ethics principles
- No experience with regulatory compliance
- Poor attention to detail in documentation
- Inability to explain IRB processes clearly
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