Research Specialist – Contracts

Purpose:
The Research Specialist, Contracts is responsible to support the negotiation, execution, and oversight of sponsored program agreements and submissions throughout UPMC. Responsible for supporting all sponsored program related activities, working collaboratively with the UPMC departments, centers, institutions, compliance offices, central administrative offices, corporate legal, and other departments as necessary. Provides vision in planning by setting measurable goals and complying with all new and ongoing processes and peripheral sponsored program activities and compliance. This is a highly visible position that interacts with all UPMC business units at all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities:

• This individual will have primary areas of responsibility, such as Submission, Negotiation and Execution, Contractual and Programmatic Oversight, inclusive research integrity, conflict of interest, and other external regulatory requirements.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Sponsored Program processes and programs.
• Work collaboratively to develop internal and external policies, procedures, and practices to be implemented across the organization.
• Contribute to training materials, including the development of computer based module training.
• Participate in and contribute to the development of programs that focus on those elements of the system-wide research compliance.
• Coordinate and facilitate program activities in order to achieve compliance with sponsor and contractual established deadlines.
• Review and monitor adherence to research compliance policies and procedures.
• Effectively collaborate with Legal to timely and effectively handle submissions and negotiate sponsored agreements throughout UPMC for each including affected departments/centers, and respective management.
• Provide ongoing advice and resources to management for sponsored program issues and process monitoring and improvement, and work with management to implement these improvements.
• Research and provide follow up advice related to clinical trial related questions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the various laws, regulations and industry guidance that impact the corporate research compliance program.
• Participate in developing responses to external audit response to various federal agencies.
• Actively matrix with departmental management team and staff.