IP & Contract Administrator II

Engineering a world of possibilities

Mines Office of Research Administration seeks an IP and Contract Administrator to join the team!

The Intellectual Property & Contract Administrator understands and applies Mines policies and procedures and applies to federal, state, and sponsor rules and regulations in drafting and negotiating. This position requires critical thinking skills to review and interpret guidelines and sponsor expectations, while also negotiating Non-disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), intellectual property terms in Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs), Interinstitutional Agreements (IIAs), Intellectual Property Management Agreements (IPMPs), and Technology Licensing Agreements, and associated amendments behalf of Mines. This position serves as backup to the Contract Administrator team. This position also provides formal and informal training for faculty and staff. The successful candidate will bring outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, have experience working in and fostering a cooperative work environment, and is self-motivated with the ability to multi-task.

This position requires a minimum of two days per week working on campus in Golden, Colorado.

The Intellectual Property & Contract Administrator is responsible for drafting, analyzing, interpreting and negotiating various contracts and agreements pertaining to intellectual property and academic research at Colorado School of Mines (Mines) within the Office of Research Administration (ORA).  This position is a key member of the Contract Administration unit and serves as a resource to faculty and a liaison for Mines’ Technology Transfer-related work.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Contract Negotiation & Drafting

• Reviews, drafts, and manages (with minimum oversight) various contracts and agreements pertaining to intellectual property and academic research. These include, but are not limited to NDAs, MTAs, IIAs, IPMPs, Technology Licensing Agreements, and associated amendments.

• Works with ORA to review and draft intellectual property language in sponsored research and grant award agreements.

• Awareness of contractual language regarding issues such as intellectual property rights, confidentiality, liability, indemnification, risk, publishing rights, governing law, and compliance with university policies and state law.

• Successfully navigates a diverse case load of differing sponsors and contractual matters and individually prioritizes agreements to meet deadlines.

• Escalates non-standard contract terms, as needed, in accordance with approved escalation procedures.

Communication & Outreach

• Maintains communication with faculty and other Mines stakeholders to ensure all information is outlined, along with the process to negotiate the agreement. Effective communication is critical to the success of this position.

• Interprets and explains federal, state, and Mines’ regulations and policies to faculty and other Mines personnel, to help them understand the contracting process and how the regulations apply.

• Ongoing contact with sponsors and other external personnel for the purpose of agreement negotiation and management, including outlining Mines policies, business practices, and other applicable regulations.

• Meets with faculty either formally or informally to answer questions and/or assist with the agreement.

Institutional Data Repository

• Responsible for ensuring accurate and timely federal and sponsor compliance through management of agreement and intellectual property information and data in appropriate database systems, including the federal iEdison database.
• Knowledge of iEdison system and reporting.
• Uploads all fully executed agreements, modifications, and other relevant documents into the system.
• Prepares reports as requested.

Training & Process Improvement

• Provides formal and informal training to faculty members and departmental staff regarding school policy and procedures in relation to transactional agreements and contracts.
• Provides support for the Contract Administrator unit, particularly regarding intellectual property language and University initiatives.
• Actively participates in office-wide process evaluation and reengineering efforts. Critically evaluates process and procedures with a goal of efficiency and optimal resource utilization. Makes recommendations for improvements to management and leads improvement efforts if approved.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, technical, or related field.
• 3-5 years negotiating transactional contracts related to research administration and/or technology licensing
• Knowledge of Federal and State regulations regarding university research, and intellectual property management databases
• Knowledge of iEdison system and reporting as required by the Bayh Dole Act
• Demonstrated customer service skills, the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and ability to meet multiple deadlines 
• Analyzation and problem-solving skills including the ability to use independent judgment
• Ability to use databases, presentation software, and enterprise financial systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of University environment and policies
• Master’s degree in business, technical, or related field.

Salary and Benefits

$71,600 - $79,600 annual salary

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin June 2, 2026. This posting will remain open until filled and may close without notice. For best consideration, apply by June 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. as applications received after that date may not be reviewed.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at [email protected] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting