Research Agreements Associate, Senior

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.

 

The Federal Contracting Associate provides cradle-to-grave management of federal contracts on behalf of the Office of Research Administration.  The Federal Contracting Associate also provides the Associate Director, and Senior Leadership with expertise in federal contracting processes, assists in the development of SOP’s and technical tools for the management of federal contracts, and provides educational sessions for Duke’s research-oriented community.  

 

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES - 30%

 

Proposal Review and Submission:

 

a. Support School of Medicine (SOM) departments in the review and submission of federal contract proposals. b. Ensure that proposals adhere to University, agency, and federally mandated requirements, including compliance with federal and international laws and guidelines governing clinical research, effort reporting, costing principles, cost sharing commitments, Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approvals, and conflicts of interest. c. Coordinate with departments and Procurement Office in the preparation of small business subcontracting plans when required. d. Facilitate contact between departments and Information Security Office (ISO) when solicitations include information security terms requiring Duke Health Technology Services (DHTS) review and approval.

 

Contract Negotiation and Execution: 30%

 

a. Analyze and interpret federal regulations, including FAR, DFAR, CFR and other government contracting terms and conditions.

b. Apply firm understanding of academic principles including Duke University policies, procedures, and guidelines in negotiating contract terms.

c. Maintain a positive working relationships with the Sponsoring Agencies while ensuring that, prior to award, all contract terms and conditions are acceptable to Duke University and PIs.

d. Work with departments to ensure that their PIs’ needs are compatible with Sponsor requirements and that Duke SOM guidelines are met.

e. Advise PIs and departments of any problematic terms prior to contract execution.

f. Work with other Central Offices to review and negotiate terms and conditions that require specialized input.

g. Alert supervisor/Senior Leadership when a resolution cannot be reached in a timely manner, or when the sponsor will not accept requested terms and a solution cannot be agreed upon.

h. Ensure that the project has all required approvals and compliance requirements in place prior to execution.

 

Subcontracting: 6%

 

a. Independently draft, negotiate, and execute complex federal subcontracts (incoming and outgoing), including those containing federal contract funding flowing through other universities, foundations and corporate entities.

b. Determine appropriate flow-downs for outgoing federal subcontracts.

c. Work with departments to issue and negotiate subsequent subcontract modifications