What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Support - Procurement/Contracts Specialist (Remote Opportunity) position at UMass Amherst?
About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About Research & Engagement
The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.
Job Summary
The Research Support Specialist (Procurement / UPST) serves as a critical resource within the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement (VCRE) office, with specialized expertise in procurement and contract management. The Research Support Specialist proactively supports the procurement and contract needs of large-scale research awards, as well as addresses and resolves complex issues escalated by post-award support staff across the campus.
Essential Functions
- Anticipation and Support for New Large-Scale Awards
Collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs), research administrators, and support staff to prepare for the procurement and contract demands of newly awarded, large-scale research projects.
Handles incidents and complex issues escalated from college-level post-award support staff, providing guidance and problem-solving expertise to resolve them efficiently.
Serves as a subject matter expert in procurement and contract management, offering guidance to staff across the campus on best practices and institutional policies.
Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies in all areas of procurement and contracting.
Other Functions
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Physical Demands / Working Conditions
Work Schedule
This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee's work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 27
Exempt Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
