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Research Contract Specialist III - 527655
Job no: 527655
Position type: Regular Full-time (Benefits eligible)
Location: Tuscaloosa
Division/Equivalent: Research
School/Unit: Assoc VP Research
Department/Office: 702101 - Office for Res & Tech Agrmnts
Categories: Other
Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $74,200 - Midpoint: $100,200 (Salaried E12)
Department/Organization: 702101 - Office for Res & Tech Agrmnts
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for hybrid work subject to University policy.
Job Summary: The Research Contract Specialist III reviews, edits, rewrites, negotiates, and manages highly complex research contracts with significant risk for the University within the Office for Research and Technology Agreements (ORTA). Handles primarily non-routine contract matters with the most complex and sensitive contract negotiations. Ensures contract compliance with applicable laws, University policies, and best practices. Ensures timely, accurate, and compliant contract execution for sponsored projects, working closely with faculty, administrative staff, and more senior contracts personnel. Serves as a strategic partner in the contracting process. Advises leadership on and ensures institutional protection in complex multi-party or international agreements. Works independently under general direction. Provides advisory guidance, training, and mentorship to lower-level specialists.
Additional Department Summary: Reviews, edits, rewrites, negotiates, and processes a wide variety of high-dollar-value complex research contracts, including Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQs), Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), master agreements, collaboration agreements, Data Transfer Agreements (DTAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), material transfer agreements (MTAs), Data Use Agreement (DUAs), grant-related agreements (sub-awards, etc.). Provides expert guidance on regulatory, legal, and policy issues, including export control, data privacy (GDPR, etc.), and foreign engagement risk. Collaborates closely with General Counsel, Risk Management, Technology Transfer, and Sponsored Projects to align agreement terms with institutional priorities. Develops training, tools, and templates for University-wide use. Mentors mid-level staff and leads cross-functional contract initiatives.
Reviews high volume and broad range of agreements with varied regulatory compliance, including complex federal contracts that require understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Intellectual Property issues, HIPAA, FERPA, NIST, and export regulations including ITAR and EAR. Provides advice and assistance in addressing and efficiently resolving other transaction related issues including contract termination and disputes and other contractual correspondence. Engages with business entities to build strong collegial, professional relationships and interactions and provide broad-based support and resources to faculty, staff, students, and outside entities.
Works directly with external sponsors, research administrators, and other external parties involved in all aspects of research. Works closely with internal faculty researchers, principal investigators, and administration with regard to research legal issues and will actively steward industry partners through the University sponsored project process and cultivate strong relationships for continued interaction with university researchers.
Works with faculty researchers, providing guidance, advice, and assistance for all necessary interactions with industry and government sponsors, including coordination with other University offices and departments. Provides significant support to the Office for Research & Technology Agreements in overall management and administration of responsibilities that relate to grants and contracts within the Office for Research & Economic Development. Works independently under general direction, leading highly complex projects and activities.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of experience in contract management, negotiation, development, and/or compliance experience; OR master's degree and eight (8) years of experience in contract management, negotiation, development, and/or compliance experience; OR juris doctorate and seven (7) years of experience in contract management, negotiation, development, and/or compliance experience.
Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Due to U.S. export control regulations governing information, technology, and facilities accessed during the performance of this work, applicants must be: (1) U.S. citizens or nationals; (2) permanent residents; (3) asylees or refugees; OR (4) individuals otherwise described as "protected individuals" according to Title 8 U.S. Code Section 1324b(a)(3)(b).
Skills and Knowledge: Excellent interpersonal, logical problem solving, and analytical reasoning skills. Ability to work collegially with university faculty, staff and sponsors. Thorough understanding of federal regulations interpretation and application. Knowledge of working with FAR, DFAR, DEAR clauses (including DOD, DOE and NASA). Understanding of intellectual property issues in higher education including deep understanding of Bayh-Dole, EAR/ITAR regulations, and application for university setting. Expertise in privacy laws (including HIPAA). Understanding and working knowledge of research security in university research setting, including risk mitigation strategies.
Preferred Qualifications: Juris Doctorate and licensed to practice law in the state of Alabama; OR bachelor’s degree in science or engineering. Understanding of legal transactions in a research-intensive university setting including intellectual property issues. Experience working on contracts for CUI or classified research. Experience working with DOD contracts.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
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