Contract Specialist

  • Contract
  • Anywhere
  • Posted 8 months ago

University of Alberta

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Position summary

The Research Services Office (RSO) is looking for a highly motivated and organized self-starter to fill the position of Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Agreements team focusing on Technology Transfer Agreements. Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Contract Specialist is responsibility to independently analyze, interpret and process complex and specialized research funding applications, agreements and award and also requires a legal knowledge of patent, trademark, and copyright terminology and processes, of Material Transfer Agreements (MTA’s), Confidentiality Agreements (CDA’s) and Data Share/Data Transfer Agreements (DTA’s), and an ability to think critically in order to formulate and implement time sensitive deadlines. The position’s primary responsibilities include contract (MTA, CDA, DTA) review, approval and processing, advising on and protecting intellectual property. The ideal candidate will have insight into intellectual property issues and an understanding of contract review principles.  

Duties:

  • Negotiates, drafts and manages research agreements (MTA’s, CDA’s, Memorandums of Understanding, Data Sharing and Data Transfer Agreements); communicates issues to researchers and third parties; negotiates these agreements independently; identifies when to escalate agreements.
  • Works closely and cooperatively with the Technology Transfer Services team and is the primary lead for reviewing and approving all such contracts for the unit
  • Interacts with attorneys, company executives and researchers/inventors dealing with uncommon inquiries and/or situations related to contracts and software intellectual property protection 
  • Manages various contractual intellectual property (IP) obligations of researchers to avoid the overlap of IP obligations to multiple parties, to limit liability and to ensure the indemnification of the University in transactions
  • Participates in seminars to inform researchers of technology transfer processes for software technologies
  • Processes complex awards by ensuring that all sponsor terms and conditions are met and in compliance with University policies
  • Ensures all required partnership and collaborating agreements for a research project are in place and the terms and conditions are consistent; where applicable, ensures that requirements of government-funded programs are met
  • Assists researchers in proposal planning; investigates potential funding opportunities and provides information
  • Coordinates the preparation of proposals, including working with sponsored projects offices and researchers at other institutions
  • Works cooperatively with others in the review of research applications and proposals for submission to funding agencies to ensure compliance with University research policies and procedures, including those respecting human ethics, animal care and biohazards, and sponsor terms and conditions
  • Reviews proposed budgets for completeness and accuracy, advising applicants on errors, discrepancies and funding agency policies; ensures budgets are identified for collaborators and co-applicants
  • Provides authorization for the release of funding resulting from research agreements/awards that comply with University and sponsor policies and conditions
  • Keep current with existing and new University of Alberta UAPPOL policies specifically: Faculty Agreement, Intellectual Property, Trademark and Copyright policies
  • Participates in workshops to assist researchers with research administration
  • Assists with the management of the Agreements portal; ensures that agreement documentation is entered and managed appropriately in database and paper filing system
  • Works independently with minimal support from supervisor
  • Performs other duties as required

Qualifications:

  • Minimum requirement is an undergraduate degree; graduate degree preferred; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered
  • 5 years’ research administration work experience, preferably in a post-secondary environment
  • Ability to independently represent the Office with University faculty as it relates to agreements, MTA’s, CDA’s, DTA’s, research contracts
  • Knowledge of health data protection laws; knowledge of health data management processes at the University of Alberta is an asset
  • Excellent negotiating and interpersonal skills
  • Strong analytic and communication (listening, verbal and written) skills
  • Skilled in multi-tasking and prioritizing multiple demands; keen attention to detail
  • Strong time management and work flow skills and the ability to manage a high volume of files with conflicting priorities
  • Understanding of the University’s policies and procedures with respect to research administration is an asset
  • Thorough understanding of the principles of service excellence and demonstrated ability to deliver superior customer service
  • Ability to demonstrate professionalism with a high level of tact, discretion and the capability to maintain confidentiality
  • Strong proficiency in Windows using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Access), Google Apps, Internet and databases; training in PeopleSoft application and tools is desirable

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

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