IRB
IRB (Institutional Review Board) is a committee that reviews and monitors research involving human participants. It's like a safety checkpoint that ensures research studies protect people's rights and welfare. Every university, hospital, or research organization that conducts human research must have or work with an IRB. When you see this on a resume, it usually means the person has experience getting research approved, following ethical guidelines, or serving on these review committees. Similar terms you might see are "Ethics Committee" or "Research Ethics Board (REB)."
Examples in Resumes
Managed IRB approval process for 15 clinical research studies
Served as IRB committee member reviewing human subject research protocols
Successfully prepared and submitted IRB applications for multiple psychology studies
Coordinated with Ethics Committee and IRB for research compliance
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 IRB requirements?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss diplomatic communication skills, ability to explain regulations clearly, finding compromise while maintaining compliance, and experience managing challenging situations with researchers.
Q: What experience do you have with updating IRB policies to align with new federal regulations?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of policy development, experience implementing regulatory changes, and ability to train staff on new requirements while ensuring smooth transitions.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key elements you look for when reviewing an IRB application?
Expected Answer: Should mention informed consent processes, risk assessment, participant privacy protection, and proper documentation while showing understanding of basic human subject protection principles.
Q: How do you determine if a study qualifies for expedited review versus full board review?
Expected Answer: Should explain different review categories, risk levels, and common scenarios for each type of review, demonstrating practical knowledge of IRB procedures.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the purpose of informed consent in research?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic concept of ensuring participants understand study risks and benefits, and their rights as research subjects in simple terms.
Q: What are the basic components of an IRB application?
Expected Answer: Should identify main parts like protocol summary, consent forms, recruitment materials, and basic understanding of application process.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of IRB submission process
- Familiarity with research ethics principles
- Administrative support for IRB applications
- Document management and organization
Mid (2-5 years)
- Independent review of IRB applications
- Knowledge of federal research regulations
- Communication with researchers and committee members
- Protocol review and assessment
Senior (5+ years)
- IRB policy development and implementation
- Leadership of ethics committees
- Complex protocol review management
- Training and mentoring of staff
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic research ethics principles
- Lack of attention to detail in documentation
- Poor understanding of confidentiality requirements
- Unable to explain different types of IRB review
- No experience with regulatory compliance
Related Terms
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