Contract Officer

Job Summary

A remote work option is available. The position involves reviewing, negotiating, and accepting unfunded contracts and related agreements for the University of Michigan. This role requires a bachelor's degree and U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status due to export-controlled information handling.

Responsibilities

• Draft various contracts and other legal documents related to sponsored projects, using standard templates when possible.
• Negotiate terms and conditions for material transfer and data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other agreements as assigned.
• Conduct comprehensive analyses of provisions regarding intellectual property ownership and licensing, publication and confidentiality, liability, indemnification, warranty, export control, and choice of law, among others.
• Identify issues during research negotiations in which U-M's position and/or goals diverge from the external entity, work with colleagues to favorably resolve those issues, and assist with alerting more senior management when resolution is not able to be reached in a timely manner or when there are issues that are broad-based or potentially applicable to or problematic in other situations.
• Solicit input from principal investigators and other central administrative offices, such as Research Information Security, Export Controls, IRB, IACUC, Innovation Partnerships, General Counsel, and Risk Management as appropriate.
• Advise principal investigators and their staff of unusual or problematic terms, coordinate plans of action, and keep informed of the negotiation process.
• Ensure that negotiated terms adhere to University, agency, and federally mandated requirements.
• Maintain ongoing liaison with external counterparts to enhance ongoing research relationships.
• Work efficiently and transparently with departmental stakeholders and external parties to move agreements towards execution in a compliant and timely manner.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience negotiating contracts and agreements.
• Transactional legal experience drafting and redlining contracts and agreements.
• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience (desired).
• Familiarity with U-M policies and procedures related to research administration (including, but not limited to, accounting, purchasing, personnel, and regulatory compliance).
• Working knowledge of sponsor software systems (e.g. eRA Commons, Research.gov, Proposal Central, etc.) (desired).
• Experience providing excellent customer service (desired).
• Certification in Research Administration (CRA) (desired).

Benefits

This position offers a remote work option and the opportunity to work in a supportive environment that values innovation and discovery.