Research Contracts & Purchasing Specialist

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Center for Research is seeking a Research Contracts & Purchasing Specialist to manage contract drafting, intake, and compliance across the sponsored programs lifecycle. You will support purchasing, subcontract invoice coordination, and ensure alignment with Uniform Guidance and KUCR policies.

This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to work independently while collaborating within the Fiscal Affairs team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field with 1 year procurement, purchasing, contract administration, or research administration experience or equivalent.
• Experience with Oracle or other enterprise financial systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word; strong written communication.”
• Demonstrated history of delivering high-quality work products in a high-volume environment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with team members.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide contract support through processing lifecycle of research-related agreements using templates.
• Perform preliminary compliance checks and flag missing information for resolution.
• Ensure submissions align with KU/KUCR contracting and procurement requirements.
• Draft accurate, complete, correctly formatted agreements using standardized templates.
• Manage and track agreements through internal workflows; monitor status and improve turnaround times.
• Maintain organized contract records and provide guidance on processes and timelines.
• Provide routine reports on subcontract purchasing activity and coordinate with internal partners.

Skills

MS Office

Communication

Independent with teamwork

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Associate's degree (3+ years experience)

HS diploma / GED with 5+ years experience

Tools

Oracle

Microsoft Office

Job description

The University of Kansas Center for Research is seeking a Research Contracts & Purchasing Specialist to manage contract drafting, intake, and compliance across the sponsored programs lifecycle. You will support purchasing, subcontract invoice coordination, and ensure alignment with Uniform Guidance and KUCR policies.

This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to work independently while collaborating within the Fiscal Affairs team.