Job Description:

Unit-Specific Responsibilities

1) The Grants and Contracts Administrator ⓠContract Specialist position is a mid-level professional position in the University Research Administration office. 

2) Review and negotiate Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDAs), and Data Use Agreements (DUA) under the supervision of the Senior Contracts Manager. 

3) Responsible for a variety of tasks associated with grants and contracts management.

4) Assist with other activities associated with proposals, awards, and subawards for research, training and other sponsored activities from federal and non-federal funding sources.

5) Contact with individuals at companies and institutions regarding MTAs, CDAs and DUAs, faculty and administrative staff at the University and on occasion with staff of the federal government, non-federal sponsors and other organizations.

6) Negotiate acceptable terms and conditions in accordance with specific primary funding sponsors' provisions; University policies applicable to sponsored projects, material transfer agreements, confidential disclosure agreements, and data use agreements; partner institution/organization; University's principal investigators, administrators and central administration under the supervision of the Grants and Contracts Manager.

7) Maintain protocol information in URA systems as appropriate to the specific agreement needs.

8) Maintain URA systems record with fully executed agreements and other internal documentation.

9) Perform routine grant and contract support duties, follow up for Grants and Contracts Managers regarding pre and post award activities as needed and assist with other activities associated with proposals and awards for research, training, and other sponsored activities from federal and non-federal funding sources. 

10) Update and manage the content of URA systems and websites relevant to CDAâ™s, MTAâ™s and DUAâ™s and maintain appropriate and up-to-date information for both internal and external stakeholders.  

11) Responds to routine requests from units of the University.  

Unit-Preferred Competencies

1) Proactive and solution-oriented, with exceptional communication, written and analytical skills necessary to review and negotiate agreements and establish accordingly per departmental and agencies guidelines.

2) This position requires rapid proficiency in the Service Now web-application system; incumbents are expected to review and process proposals, awards, and other grant and contract activity within Service Now and other URA systems.  

3) Work independently with a high degree of initiative.

4) Direct contact with individuals at companies and institutions regarding MTAs, CDAs and DUAs, with faculty and administrative staff at the University, and close collaboration with all staff within the office of University Research Administration (URA). 

5) Customer service is a high priority of the office and civility and professionalism are required at all times.

6) Work with various sponsor electronic systems.  

7) Strong computer skills including word processing database management, and spreadsheet skills.  

8) Good negotiation skills.  

9) Exercise absolute discretion regarding confidential matters.

10) Work effectively and collegially with little supervision or as member of a team.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Mental Demands

1) Make decisions independently that will have downstream impacts on the management of sponsored projects.

2) Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

3) Manage detail-oriented workload, work on multiple projects simultaneously, organize and prioritize workload during high-pressure, high-volume workload periods and manage stressful situations.

4) Exercise sound judgment, absolute discretion regarding confidential matters.

5) Interact by phone, email or in person with faculty and administrative staff at the University and occasionally with staff of federal government, non-federal sponsors, and other institutions and organizations.

Physical Demands

1) Sit for 4 hours or more.

2) Use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.

3) Travel to various on-campus locations on a daily basis.

4) Use standard office equipment.

5) Some travel needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

1) Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

2) Bachelor's degree in a business related field.

Experience

1) Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

2) Some legal or paralegal work experience.

3) A minimum of two years of experience working with sponsored research administration in an academic environment.

4) Experience with sponsored research administration, especially electronic, in university environment.

5) Experience with FAS, Business objects, and accounting principles, federal and non-federal pre and post-award policies and University allowable cost policies.

6) Promptly become proficient in the AURA-GRANTS electronic research administration web-application system.

Required Documents

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

3) Reference Contact Information

NOTE: When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.