What are the responsibilities and job description for the Contract Specialist position at Montana State University?
The Montana State University Technology Transfer Office (TTO) has a need for a contract specialist. The TTO pursues three primary goals:
- Establishing collaborations and working relationships between industry and each of the research and creative areas of MSU. This includes pursuing industry sponsored research and collaborating on commercial opportunities.
- Licensing the inventions of MSU faculty and researchers to industry and managing the relationship between the University and its licensee partners.
- Serving the economic development arm of the University and working with Montana companies and entrepreneurs to leverage the resources of MSU to the benefit of Montana’s economy.
The person in this position will be responsible for reviewing, negotiating, editing, and maintaining various types of legal agreements with external entities including other universities, companies, governmental agencies, and non-profit entities. This activity sets the legal foundation for discussion regarding possible future collaborations, sponsored research and testing agreements, and licensing of intellectual property. There are also important considerations related to legal compliance (e.g. FERPA, HIPAA).
Duties and Responsibilities
- Drafts, reviews, negotiates, edits, and tracks agreements such as Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality, Material Transfer, and Data Transfer & Use.
- Professionally communicates directly with federal, state, and private sponsors or collaborators in a timely and well-documented manner to complete contracts and agreements.
- Problem-solves and finds solutions that represent the best interests of MSU research in collaboration with MSU peers, faculty, researchers, administration, and staff.
- Establishes effective working relationships with staff across the university and MSU extension to ensure that contract transactions are completed in a timely and professional manner.
- Consults with and advises faculty and staff on interpretation of complex terms and conditions, negotiation strategies, in compliance with sponsoring agency’s statutory and regulatory requirements, State of Montana law, and University policies.
- Develops, manages, and performs procedures for regular records maintenance in TTO database to keep TTO records current. This may include informal supervision of a student for data entry and/or data maintenance.
Secondary Duties:
- Assists MSU TTO Technology Managers with preparation and execution of contract amendments, and other legal agreements that are primarily managed by TTO Technology Managers.
- Provides agreement resources and training both formally and informally to internal constituents.
- Monitor/report inventions via federal iEdison system to ensure compliance with Bayh-Dole regulations.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Demonstrated experience applying and interpreting applicable institutional, local, state and federal regulations and related standards, guidelines and policies.
- Demonstrated superior communication skills, especially in written format.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Experience reviewing legal language and negotiating contracts.
- Experience working with multiple university departments and constituents; specifically legal services, research administration, sponsored programs, technology transfer, research compliance, business services, and faculty and principal investigators.
- Experience in using relational databases.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Excel in an autonomous environment with the ability to work independently with a high degree of self-motivation, accuracy and efficiency, with little or no supervisory oversight of day-to-day operations.
- Have excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- Have the ability to plan for and meet strict deadlines while being able to adapt to rapidly changing needs.
- Express commitment to working in a transparent and collaborative manner with university and external stakeholders, with an understanding of state and university administrative policies.
- Possess excellent interpersonal skills and a customer-oriented approach, in order to positively interact with research faculty, staff, campus administrative departments, department heads, deans, MSU executives, sponsor organizations.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on February 10, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
