Sponsored Contracts Specialist in Sponsored Projects Administration

We are looking for a Contract Specialist who will, in partnership with the Office of Technology Management (OTM) and Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), be responsible for the coordination, review, negotiation, and acceptance of all research agreements with industry that contain complex or atypical intellectual property (IP) or data/materials ownership issues, terms, and conditions. They will assist Sponsored Projects team members with interpreting and applying Intellectual property terms, rules, and regulations. You will help negotiate contracts that may include subjects such as the use of intellectual property, the transfer of materials, or the enforcement of compliance. You will review and analyze contracts to ensure that UTHealth can meet the required specifications and that we are adequately addressed in any language regarding approvals or conditions. You will need to be a problem solver who can think critically and communicate complex projects in simple terms. You will also need an understanding of budgets. Ideally, candidates will have experience in either research or contracts, and it is recommended that you have at least one or the other, if not both.

This role is full-time and classified as exempt. It is eligible for all UTHealth benefits, including employer-paid healthcare for individuals and one of the best pension plans in the Texas Medical Center. You will be working at our University Center Tower location at the intersection of Fannin and Pressler. This position will work a hybrid schedule of in-office and remote work.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan

We take care of our employees As a world-renowned institution, our employees' wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Coordinates SPA and OTM internal discussions and attends meetings with Principal Investigator (PI) to help determine the relationship between the PI, the commercial entity and UTHealth. Further determines the intellectual property agreement terms needed and obtains approval of such language from Sr. IP Specialist.
2. Negotiates and prepares industry contracts for investigator-initiated studies and other sponsored projects agreements with complex or atypical IP or data/materials ownership terms and conditions, ensuring compliance with Federal, State, UT System, and institutional requirements, as well as adherence to terms and conditions of existing agreements relating to the same IP and data/materials.
3. Serves as subject matter expert for the Sponsored Projects Grants and Contract team in review and evaluation of non-industry grants and contracts to ensure appropriate IP and data/materials ownership terms and conditions are included in each document and are congruent across all documents, assists in revising language as needed.
4. Works with schools/departments, Legal Affairs, Technology Management, CPHS, Procurement, and UT System to resolve problems and negotiate issues related to IP and data/materials ownership.
5. Coordinates project account setup with the post-award team.
6. .
7. Participates in on-campus trainings and forums to disseminate information and guidance on IP and contractual regulations and policy to faculty and departmental administrators.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Effective time management and organization skills with the ability to be priority-oriented. Critical thinking/problem-solving abilities are crucial.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree. A master's degree is preferred.

Minimum Experience:

Two (2) years of experience at an academic research institution.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code § To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code § , the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.