Research Contract Specialist II

Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $68,500 - Midpoint: $89,100 (Salaried E11)

Department/Organization: 702101 - Office for Res & Tech Agrmnts

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Job Summary: The Research Contract Specialist II reviews, edits, rewrites, negotiates, and processes moderately to highly complex research agreements for the University within the Office for Research and Technology Agreements (ORTA). Handles routine and non-routine contract matters with varying levels of defined parameters. 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. Works under independently under general direction. Provides advisory guidance and training to entry-level specialists.

Additional Department Summary: Reviews, edits, rewrites, negotiates, and processes a wide variety of research-related contracts, including 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.). 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 cultivating 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 (ORTA) related to handling grants and contracts within the Office for Research & Economic Development. Works independently under general direction.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of experience in contract management, negotiation, development, and/or compliance experience; OR master's degree and four (4) years of experience in contract management, negotiation, development, and/or compliance experience; OR juris doctorate and three (3) years of experience in contract management, negotiation, development, and/or compliance experience.

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 clauses (including DOD, DOE, and NASA). Understanding of intellectual property issues and IP commercialization issues in higher education including Bayh-Dole, EAR/ITAR regulations, and privacy laws including HIPAA.

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.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s poster.

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