Research Agreements Specialist

University of Victoria; Victoria; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Victoria is seeking a Research Agreements Specialist to enable efficient review and negotiation of research contracts. The role sits in the Contracts Unit of the Innovation and Partnerships Office, reporting to the Manager, Research Agreements.

The successful candidate will draft, review and negotiate agreements for funded and non-funded research, ensuring alignment with UVic policies. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for success in this fast-paced

Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate, JD, or related undergraduate plus minimum 3 years in contracts review and drafting.
• Experience with drafting, editing and negotiation of contracts.
• Experience with international agreements and IP rights risk assessment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate external research funding agreements.
• Draft and edit contracts in compliance with UVic policies.
• Provide guidance to faculty and internal stakeholders on research agreements.
• Liaise with funding partners to obtain required terms and conditions.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal knowledge

Workflow tracking

International contracts

IP rights assessment

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Docusign

Education

Paralegal certificate

Juris Doctor

Undergraduate in law or related field

Tools

RAIS

Docusign

MS Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Research Agreements Specialist - (990879.8)

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Organizational Unit

University of Victoria -> VP Research -> Innovation & Partnerships

Location

University of Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 CA (Primary)

Posting Close Date

20 October 2026

Please note that positions will close at 4 p.m. on the closing date.

FTE

1.0

Salary Grade

$80,369.00 - $104,529.00

Additional Posting Information

N/A

Salary posted will be pro-rated based on FTE and achieved as per the collective agreement, if applicable.

Classification

SG11

Start Date

11/1/2026

End Date

10/31/2027

Employee Group:

PEA - Term

# of Hires Needed

1

Category

Legal

About this Opportunity

The University of Victoria is one of Victoria's largest employers and one of Canada’s best diversity employers. Together we are more than 5,000 dedicated faculty, librarians and staff supporting the University of Victoria’s diverse academic programs, world-class research and commitment to civic engagement.

The salary range for this position is:

• Recruitment range: $80,369 to $88,612. Starting salary is determined in accordance with the PEA Collective Agreement.
• Performance range: Up to $104,529. Progression beyond the recruitment range is available through annual performance increases, in accordance with the PEA Collective Agreement.

Job Summary

Mandate:

The Research Agreements Specialist (RAS) plays a critical role in facilitating the timely and efficient review and negotiation of legal agreements necessary to enable research at the University of Victoria. The RAS ensures that research agreements (funded and non-funded) are accurately drafted, reviewed, negotiated, approved, and signed in accordance with UVic policies and procedures. Sitting within the Contracts Unit of the Innovation and Partnerships Office under the portfolio of the Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation (OVPRI) and reporting to the Manager, Research Agreements, the RAS is responsible for the review and negotiation of external research funding agreements and agreements related to the successful implementation of University research activities and the use of intellectual property created at or by the University.

Objectives:

• Ensure the accurate drafting, preparation, interpretation, review, and negotiation of contracts related to or necessary for research.
• Administer and implement the University’s policies and guidelines relating to research and intellectual property.
• Operate as the University’s subject matter expert on research-related agreements.
• Provide expert guidance and support to faculty members, institutional signers, and internal stakeholders on best practices related to research agreements.
• Liaise and communicate with contracting agencies and funding partners to obtain the terms and conditions required to meet University policy, guidelines, and procedures.

Job Requirements

This position requires a level of training, education, and experience equivalent to a paralegal certificate, a Juris Doctor, or an undergraduate in law, business, or a related field plus a minimum of 3 years experience in contracts review and drafting. An equivalent combination of training, education and/or experience may be considered.

Knowledges, skills, and abilities include:

• Demonstrated experience in contract drafting, editing, and negotiation.
• Knowledge of the legal framework of a contract, including familiarity with legal terms and concepts applicable to research contracting.
• Experience with tracking contract workflow, including drafting, reviews, approvals, and revisions.
• Experience with international agreements and parties.
• Ability to assess types of intellectual property rights and risks associated with ownership and use arrangements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritizing and making decisions within shifting deadlines.
• Proactive judgement and initiative to manage day-to-day workloads, including prioritization to effectively manage shifting priorities while meeting frequent non-negotiable and conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to convey information concisely with clarity, accuracy, and nuance in both verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with internal stakeholders and external negotiators.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop solutions and implement effective strategies.
• Exceptional organizational skills with rigorous attention to detail.
• Experience in maintaining confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
• Cultural awareness when communicating with internal and external individuals.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and client service skills.
• Proficiency with computer applications (MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and UVic systems such as RAIS,etc.)

Assets:

• Experience with higher education and/or a complex organization (public or private).
• Knowledge of university policies covering critical areas for contracts such as Intellectual Property, Liability, Insurance, etc.
• Familiarity with Docusign or other document management software.
• Experience working in research administration.
• Successful completion of negotiation courses and/or certificates.

Territory Acknowledgement:

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Equity Statement:

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups .

Accessibility Statement:

If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact: [e-mail] Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

What UVic Offers:

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