at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
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Job ID50273
LocationChicago, Illinois
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Department: Office Sponsored Research
Salary/Grade: EXS/8
Job Summary:
As a professional staff member of Northwestern Sponsored Research (SR), the Associate Contracts Officer is integrally involved in the review and analysis of contractual issues including the preparation, drafting, review, redlining, and negotiation of non-funded sponsored research contracts and related agreements that require advanced knowledge of University, sponsor, and Federal regulations and policy. The Associate Contracts Officer will manage a range of research agreements with federal, corporate and private industry, subcontracts, and associated agreements pertaining to nondisclosure, confidentiality, data use, and material transfer for all academic departments on Northwestern's Chicago, Evanston and Doha, Qatar campuses.
The Associate Contracts Officer interfaces with a number of individuals in SR, in other Northwestern offices and departments, and outside the university.Incoming agreements may come from Contract Officers in SR, from the faculty members proposing and conducting the research, or from the entities seeking to sponsor the research.The Associate Contracts Officer works with these individuals and coordinates compliance with the University's Innovations and New Ventures (INVO) office, Office of Corporate Relations, Office of General Counsel, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and others.Reporting to the Senior Associate Director, Contracts & Negotiations, the Associate Contracts Officer has appropriate autonomy and ownership to negotiate, resolve and execute assigned agreements, transactions, relationships, and issues appropriate with the grade level and responsibilities.
Northwestern Sponsored Research is committed to being BRAVE (Battling Racism And Valuing Equity). Through deliberate words and actions, we endeavor to confirm to our colleagues that we see them and acknowledge their humanity and value.
The Associate Contracts Officer will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.
Specific Responsibilities:
Contract and Agreements Negotiation and Acceptance
Draft various contracts and other legal documents related to confidentiality disclosure, data use (DUA) and material transfer (MTA), using standard templates when possible.
Negotiate terms and conditions for material transfer and data use agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other award instruments as assigned. In this capacity, Associate Contracts Officer assumes responsibility for differentiating between negotiable positions and absolute requirements.
Accept contracts exercising appropriate delegated signatory authority.
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
Conduct negotiations to ensure an appropriate balance between the needs of the parties with those of the PI and the University.Clearly and concisely, convey University positions and the rationale for these positions while working to maintain good relations between the parties.
Identify issues during research negotiations in which Northwestern's position and/or goals diverge from the sponsoring entity, work with Contracts & Negotiations Managers and Directors, as appropriate, 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 IRB, IACUC, Technology Transfer, Financial Operations, 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 negotiation process.
Ensure that negotiated terms adhere to University, agency, and federally mandated requirements.
Agency and Industry Liaison
Maintain ongoing liaison with external counterparts to enhance ongoing research relationship.
Work efficiently and transparently with departmental stakeholders and external parties to move agreements towards execution in a compliant and timely manner
Training, Professional Development, and Other Duties
Support SR management team and... For full info follow application link.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
