Contracting Specialist, Research Office

Pay Grade: 31E 

Context of Job:

The Contracting Specialist works directly with and under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director of Research Regulatory Affairs in the Research Office to analyze and help resolve research-related issues with the goal of developing solutions to comply with regulations and University policies and procedures. The Contracting Specialist addresses a wide spectrum of research-related issues associated with the University’s research enterprise by working on a multitude of agreements, evaluating intellectual property issues, staying current on research-related regulations, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and University policies, and interacting with research faculty, research administrators for Research & Regulatory Affairs and other members of the Research Office staff.

Major Responsibilities:

• Confers with the Assistant Director of Research Regulatory Affairs on University research-related activities.
• Reviews, red-lines and negotiates standard research-related agreements such as Non-Disclosure Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, and standard template agreements including subawards and services agreements.
• Reviews and assists with modifying Confidentiality Agreements to ensure that they are technically acceptable, accurately reflect the viewpoint of the University investigators, and are consistent with University practices and policies and federal regulations.
• Assists in identifying the need for Technology Control Plans.
• Supports the Assistant Director of Research Regulatory Affairs to ensure continued compliance with evolving research-related federal requirements.
• Assists in the development or update of standard procedures and tracking systems.
• Assists the Assistant Director in providing guidance to faculty and Contract & Grants Analysts on research regulatory matters.
• Interacts, as necessary, with other Research Office units and faculty on research-related matters.
• Performs job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A bachelors degree and five years of demonstrated research-related experience that includes contractual review and negotiation.
• Paralegal and/or higher education experience in research administration preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and concurrently review multiple contracts and related agreements.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrated understanding of federal research regulations.
• Demonstrated sponsored programs knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively.
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to standardize operating procedures to improve efficiency.