Research Contract Associate

Research Contract Associate

Job Summary:

Sponsored Programs Contracting (SPC) is the central research administration office responsible for contracting all federal, foundation, and other private non–profit funded awards, whose mission is to facilitate the conduct of research within the institute. SPC works in close collaboration with the Research Administrative Teams and is responsible for oversight of compliance activities associated with these types of sponsored research contracts.

While not required, this is a great opportunity for someone who has a legal or a research related contracting background to become an integral part of a team and community that makes a difference in the research arena.

The Research Contract Associate provides support to the central office research administration activities. Reviews and negotiates contract terms and conditions, and accepts awards. Creates and executes outgoing subcontracts and other agreements with collaborating institutions. Develops and maintains standard agreement templates and updates standard operating procedures as needed. Provides additional support to Research Team Directors and Research Administrators as needed.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Reviews and negotiates all incoming foundation awards, subcontracts, and other contractual agreements terms and conditions, deliverables, and reporting requirements for adherence to the institute, Federal and Sponsor policies, and regulations. (essential)

• Prepares, negotiates, executes, and distributes outgoing contracts, subcontracts, and other agreements. Enters agreement status data into tracking system. (essential)

• Identifies and mitigates regulatory compliance, legal, intellectual property, and other risks. (essential)

• Works with other Research & Academic Affairs divisions as a resource for input and information as needed. (essential)

• May enter required research and financial information on a monthly basis into the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) system for subcontract activity on awarded federal grants. (essential)

• Works with Associate Director of SPC, SPC staff and periodically with the Office of General Counsel attorneys to ensure contract language and other documents are current and conform to all applicable requirements (internal policies, Sponsor Agency guidelines, international law, and collaborating institutions). (essential)

• Liaises with principal investigators, the Clinical Trials Office, and other central research administration offices in the resolution of issues related to contract execution.

• Participates proactively in ad–hoc working groups to optimize agreement workflows, accountability, and transparency.

• May provide backup to monitoring electronic mailbox and assist the Associate Director of SPC with other assignments as needed. (essential)

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.

• 1–3 years related work experience required; Experience could include 1 to 2 years of direct research administration duties, which include pre–award and post–award management of grants and contracts.

• Ability to work with a varied caseload with minimal supervision, exercising strong judgment and applying the appropriate legal principles and Medical Center policies and practices to specific legal issues. Must also possess the ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

• Strong organization and time management skills with ability to multi–task while remaining detail–oriented in a highly time sensitive environment.

• Outstanding verbal and written skills proven in either a legal, University or academic medical center setting are required.

• Advanced skills with Microsoft applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access and other web–based applications. May produce complex documents, perform analysis, and maintain databases.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of contract law, legal terms, and conditions, and FAR and OMB Circulars related to sponsored research is preferred.

• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research related terms and conditions with universities, academic medical centers, for–profit, non–profits, and foreign entities is preferred.

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