Research Agreements Associate

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

CONTRACT REVIEW, DRAFTING, NEGOTIATION, and PROCESSING

Reviews, drafts, negotiates, and processes research agreements and other related agreements with foundation, non-profit and government sponsors, subcontractors, and others to be consistent with Duke policies and procedures, the specifics of each research project, and the interests of Duke faculty and Duke University, which such activities may include analyses and interpretation of federal regulations and foundation terms and conditions, complex intellectual property issues, clinical trial requirements, and other general terms and conditions all to be completed within targeted timeframes.

• Where applicable, works with the sponsoring agency prior to award to ensure that terms and conditions are acceptable to Duke.
• Seek the advice and oversight of other SOM offices as needed. Applies template agreements and subagreements consistent with SOM policies and procedures and the nature of the work to be performed.
• Determines appropriate flow-downs of Duke's obligations to others including sponsors in the case of subagreements.
• Consults with senior staff regarding contract issues and as necessary with other offices within the Duke School of Medicine and the University for terms and conditions that require specialized input.
• Recommends approval, or disapproval, of negotiated agreements to Associate Director and/or Assistant Dean. Promptly involves senior staff when a resolution is not able to be reached in a timely manner, or when the sponsor will not accept terms requested and a solution cannot be agreed upon.
• Understands and applies alternative solutions to contractual issues that arise in the context of negotiations and attempts to reconcile the often conflicting perspectives of academia and industry within established guidelines and in a manner that complements and supports Duke's overall academic mission.
• Maintains good collaborator and sponsor relationships while conveying Duke's position. Coordinates agreement issues with other Duke central offices as needed to ensure that the project has all approvals and compliance requirements in place prior to execution, including Office of Research Contracts, Office of Export Control, Institutional Review Board, Duke Office of Clinical Research, Duke post-award offices and Office of Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
• Communicate to applicable grant managers and Principal Investigators regarding contractual requirements, liabilities, and risks.
• Understand federal policies, including NIH Grants Policy, and how they apply to agreements. Understand federal financial requirements and how they apply to agreements, including review of budgets and Uniform Guidance.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains up-to-date records of all agreement negotiations through timely and accurate entries in the electronic database system.
• Prepares finalized agreements to go to accounting office for further process in timely manner.
• Participates in contract management meetings contributing to the continuous improvement of the office and Schools of Medicine and Nursing, their policies, processes and operations.
• Provides input to management on quality control procedures to effect the timely execution of all assigned agreements in accordance with organizational and departmental policies.

Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

Education

Work requires a Bachelor's degree (JD or paralegal preferred). Substantial federal grants and contracts training will be required on an ongoing basis as determined by Associate Director and Assistant Dean.

Experience

Minimum of three years of relevant experience, preferably related to contracting or research in an academic, pharmaceutical, or contract research setting.

Successful candidate will have:

• The ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines with frequently changing priorities.
• Technical or legal writing proficiency.
• A high degree of computer literacy and competency in the use of database, word processing and spreadsheet programs
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional interpersonal relationships and to effectively execute both written and verbal communications
• Knowledge of federal grant regulations/policies and requirements including financial research compliance

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor degree required.

Experience

Minimum of three years of relevant experience related to legal and contracting or research in an academic, pharmaceutical, or contract research setting.

A J.D., or M.S., or a Ph.D. in a scientific field, is strongly preferred.

An advanced degree (J.D., M.S., Ph.D.) may substitute for two (2) years of experience at the Offices discretion.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.