Contract Specialist 3

Overview

The salary range for this position is $6,333.34 to $7,430.38  per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on July 27, 2026.

WHO WE ARE

Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU is one of the top public research universities in the nation, furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work.

Our vision is to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with integrity and respect for individuals that results in the delivery of superior service to support the university’s strategic aspirations.

Our core values:

Service: We are a service organization that strives to provide superior support to the university community to achieve SDSU’s goals; we are committed to being professionally competent by setting high standards and working hard to achieve results; and we continually seek to improve our skills and capabilities by valuing education and professional development.

Collaboration: We seek to actively engage with our stakeholders and employees to identify issues and design solutions, build strong relationships grounded in trust, openness, and inclusion and achieve the best results by taking pride in the accomplishments of our colleagues.

Innovation: We work towards inspired solutions to improve and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges, creative ways to streamline and enhance our delivery of services through resourceful and proactive problem solving and strategic use of technology and reduction of obstacles.

Respect: We promote a culture where every individual is valued and treated with dignity, we honor open-mindedness toward different viewpoints and ideas and have a genuine appreciation for varied backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Integrity: We are committed to acting with the highest ethical standards, with honesty, integrity, and transparency, provide consistent and accurate information and value and respect all individuals.

WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT DOES

The Sponsored Research Contracting Services (SRCS) department plays a critical role in supporting research, innovation, and scientific advancement at SDSU.  The SRCS team reviews, negotiates, and accepts sponsored research agreements from federal agencies, state organizations, foundations, nonprofit entities, universities, and industry partners.  The team also develops and negotiates outgoing subawards that support collaborative research initiatives across the globe.  Our work helps researchers navigate complex contracting requirements while safeguarding institutional interests and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and policies.

Responsibilities

YOUR ROLE IN CREATING THE UNIVERSITY’S PRESENT AND FUTURE

Are you a strategic negotiator who enjoys solving complex problems and building collaborative relationships? As a Contract Specialist III, you will serve as a trusted advisor and lead negotiator for sponsored research agreements that support groundbreaking research and innovation. You will partner with faculty, administrators, sponsors, and institutional stakeholders to transform funding opportunities into fully executed agreements that enable research to move forward. This role is ideal for a professional who combines strong analytical skills with sound judgment, negotiation expertise, and a passion for supporting higher education research.

THE WORK YOU WILL DO AND MANAGE

In this high impact role, you will:

• Serve as the primary contracting liaison between project directors, principal investigators, and external funding sponsors.
• Negotiate sponsored research agreements, grants, contracts, and other related funding instruments.
• Analyze and negotiate contract terms to ensure compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable federal, state, and international regulations
• Develop creative solutions to complex contractual and compliance challenges while effectively managing institutional risk.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, draft, and negotiate provisions related to intellectual property, publication rights, indemnification, export controls, and other research-related terms.
• Support award transitions and process improvements that enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to the development of agreements that enable transformative research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree, or combination of education and progressively responsible experience in a university, research or non-profit organization or related field.
• Contract review and contract negotiation experience are required. At least four years of related and progressively responsible or expansive work experience in contract review and negotiation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Ellucian Banner, InfoEd, Etrieve or other related electronic systems
• Experience working with SDSU Research Foundation and SDSU policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with pre-award and post award research administration

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life and disability insurance plans
• Generous employer contributed 403b retirement plan. We match 200% on the first 5% of contributions, up to 10% maximum employer matching contribution. All contributions are 100% vested.
• Vacation and sick leave accruals
• 14 paid holidays and 1 annual personal holiday
• Hybrid in-office/telework arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Access to campus amenities, including Love Library, Aztec Lanes bowling alley, SDSU transit center, and a variety of coffee shops and eateries.
• Discounted Aztec Recreation Center gym membership and SDSU events
• Wellness workshops

HOW TO APPLY AND TIPS FOR MAKING IT THROUGH OUR HIRING PROCESS

You must apply through the SDSURF Career Page. Make sure your application is complete.  Including a resume and cover letter is recommended. Respond to supplemental questions thoroughly.

WHAT OUR HIRING PROCESS IS LIKE

We work as fast as we can to make hiring decisions. However, it may take several weeks for all the parties involved to review your application. We keep in touch each step of the way and inform you of the status of your application.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• The salary range for this position is $6,333.34 to $7,430.38 depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable. 
• Hybrid Work Philosophy: We believe that a balanced approach to work—combining the flexibility of remote work with the collaborative energy of in-person engagement—creates the most effective and fulfilling environment for our organization. Remote work empowers individuals with autonomy, focus, and work-life balance, while in-office days foster connection, creativity, and shared purpose. Having at least two days in the office is essential to maintain strong interpersonal relationships, encourage spontaneous collaboration, and reinforce our shared culture. These in-person interactions help build trust, align teams, and spark innovation in ways that are difficult to replicate remotely. By embracing a hybrid model of two days in the office and three days remote, we enable both personal productivity and collective innovation, ensuring our culture remains strong, inclusive, and adaptable.
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.