- Company Name
- Women's College Hospital
- Job Title
- Research Contracts Associate - Research Operations
- Job Description
-
**Job title:** Research Contracts Associate – Research Operations
**Role Summary:**
Temporarily supports research operations by reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and overseeing research agreements across multiple research entities. Acts as primary liaison among investigators, legal, finance, ethics, IT, and privacy teams to ensure compliance with Canadian, provincial, and EU regulations.
**Expectations:**
- Maintain high quality, timely contract processing for all research activities.
- Demonstrate sound knowledge of contractual law, research governance, and data‑privacy regulations (including GDPR and Canadian privacy statutes).
- Proactively identify and resolve contractual risks while ensuring alignment with institutional policy and budget constraints.
- Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners, providing clear guidance on legal and procurement requirements.
**Key Responsibilities:**
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of research contracts (sub‑grants, data/material sharing, clinical studies, IP, publication, insurance, indemnity).
- Assess and reconcile EU‑originated agreements to Canadian regulations (GDPR vs. provincial/federal law).
- Serve as first‑point contact for contract inquiries, determine required agreements, and gather necessary study details.
- Develop novel network and biobank agreements to expand collaborations.
- Coordinate ethics approvals, privacy, IT, and finance alignment with contractual terms.
- Liaise with finance to ensure budget accuracy and compliance with indirect cost policies.
- Prepare contract checklists, signature packages, and manage the execution workflow.
- Provide education and consultation on procurement policies and contract implications to research teams.
- Identify process improvement opportunities for communication and negotiation with national/international partners.
**Required Skills:**
- Strong legal drafting and negotiation skills.
- Deep understanding of research contract frameworks and regulatory requirements (Canadian, provincial, GDPR).
- Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
- Effective stakeholder engagement and communication (written and verbal).
- Project management skills with attention to detail and timelines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and contract management systems.
**Required Education & Certifications:**
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Health Sciences, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent relevant experience).
- Prior experience (≥2 years) in research contract management, legal, or compliance roles within a research or academic setting.
- Knowledge of Canadian clinical research regulations and privacy legislation is essential.