Research Contract Specialist

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks a Research Contract Specialist to review, draft, and negotiate non‑funded research agreements with external partners. The role ensures alignment with university policies, regulatory requirements, and risk‑management standards, while guiding faculty and staff on contractual considerations.

Responsibilities include maintaining a clause library, updating standard templates, advising on IP and data rights, and supporting efficient research operations

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and risk assessment skills.
• Ability to interpret policies and explain complex terms to non‑legal audiences.
• Experience using contract tracking systems.

Responsibilities

• Drafts, reviews, redlines, and negotiates a broad range of non‑funded research agreements.
• Develops and maintains a clause library and standard templates.
• Advises researchers on IP, data rights, confidentiality, publication, and ownership.
• Ensures compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates with university offices to obtain approvals and track agreement lifecycle.

Job description

Title

Research Contract Specialist

Executive Area

Research and Engagement

College/School/MBU

Research and Engagement

Department

VC Research & Engagement

Work Location

Amherst

Schedule

Full Time

Work Arrangement

Hybrid or Remote

Job Summary

The Research Contract Specialist (Non-Funded Agreements) reviews, drafts, and negotiates non‑funded research agreements that support collaborative work with external partners. The role ensures agreements align with University policies, regulatory requirements, and risk‑management standards, and provides guidance to faculty and staff on contractual and compliance considerations. The Specialist contributes to efficient research operations by supporting consistent practices in agreement review and stewardship.

Essential Functions

• Drafts, reviews, redlines, and independently negotiates a broad range of non‑funded research‑related agreements with external entities, including industry partners, academic institutions, foundations, and non‑profits, such as Non‑Disclosure, Material Transfer, Data Use and Collaboration agreements, memorandums of understanding, and other research agreements, assessing terms for acceptability and recommending revisions or alternative language as needed.
• Develops, uses, and maintains a clause library consisting of language of approved exceptions, explanations, and policies.
• Maintains and improves standard agreement templates, ensuring they remain aligned with evolving University policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identifies and addresses intellectual property considerations embedded in MTAs, DUAs, NDAs, and other research agreements, ensuring appropriate rights and protections for University researchers.
• Uses knowledge of intellectual property rights to advise researchers and administrators on implications of agreements language for data rights, confidentiality, publication, and ownership.
• Maintains a high level of familiarity with university research‑relevant laws and regulations.
• Performs risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential legal, financial, regulatory, and operational risks to the University and its Principal Investigators (PIs) and communicates those to research administration leadership.
• Serves as a primary contact for PIs and department/college administrators, providing guidance on contractual requirements for all non‑funded agreements, including interpreting terms and conditions as well as advising on operational implications, and internal University policies.
• Utilizes electronic research administration systems to track, document, and manage the lifecycle of agreements from initial review to execution and closeout, supporting accurate recordkeeping for audit and compliance purposes.
• Coordinates with other university offices to ensure all necessary approvals and compliance checks are completed and incorporates outcomes of specialized compliance reviews into final agreement terms.

Other Functions

Performs related duties as assigned to support departmental, college, and university objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Over three (3) years of relevant experience in Research administration, contract administration, or legal support.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating NDAs, MTAs, DUAs, or similar agreements.
• Working knowledge of contract principles (liability, indemnification, IP, confidentiality) and federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance).
• Strong analytical and risk assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies and apply them to agreements and communicate complex terms to non‑legal audiences.
• Experience using administrative or contract tracking systems.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Legal Studies, or related field.
• 5–7+ years of progressive contract/research administration experience.
• Experience in higher education research environment.
• Direct experience with intellectual property provisions and data privacy regulations (HIPAA, FERPA, GDPR exposure).
• Experience with agreements requiring secure computing/CUI.
• Experience developing contract templates or clause libraries.
• Familiarity with electronic research administration systems (Kuali).
• Experience negotiating with industry sponsors or complex external partners.
• Prior experience providing training or guidance to faculty/staff.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm; 37.5 hours per week. This position offers a hybrid or remote work schedule, as defined by the University, and falls under the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 26