Associate General Counsel of UDRI

Overview

Apply now Job No: 503066
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: Research Institute Staff
Department: UDRI Legal - 250250
Pay Grade: P4 - Exempt
Advertised: September 22, 2025
Applications close: Open until filled

Position Summary:

Unleash Your Passion for Advancing Research at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry, and nonprofit customers. UDRI has performed more than $3 billion in cumulative sponsored research, with sponsored research for 2024 alone exceeding $250 million. Are you a strategic leader with a proven track record in business development? If so, join UDRI, one of the nation\'s top 10 university-affiliated research institutes, as an Associate General Counsel,

This role will provide strategic legal counsel on complex research agreements, intellectual property matters, regulatory compliance, and federal contracting issues. Partner with world-class researchers, government agencies, and industry leaders to navigate the legal landscape of breakthrough technologies in aerospace, materials science, cybersecurity, and more.

Why Choose the UDRI

• Mission-Driven Work: Contribute to research that serves the common good and makes a meaningful difference in the world
• Collaborative Community: Join a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and professional growth is prioritized
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy excellent health insurance, retirement planning, tuition assistance for employees and dependents, and generous paid time off
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies support your personal and professional success

This mid-level to senior position will report to the Associate Vice President of UDRI (with regular interactions with the UD Office of Legal Affairs) and will be the point person for legal issues related to federally-funded research, but will also provide strategic legal and regulatory advice and support in the following areas: commercial transactions and business operations; research compliance; data security and privacy; and other pertinent state and federal law and regulations applicable to federal contractors. This position will assist with or serve as lead on other legal issues faced by the University, as needs arise. The position is expected to collaborate regularly with others within UDRI, the UD Office of Legal Affairs, as well as colleagues across the University, as projects and needs arise. The successful candidate is expected to be highly organized, excellent at problem solving, and a team player.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active license in good standing to practice law in Ohio or ability to gain admission to Ohio bar within one year
• At least 9 years of relevant experience, with increasing responsibility and interaction directly with clients
• Experience with the review and negotiation of federal, state or industry contracts related to sponsored research
• Excellent legal research and writing skills, including the ability to draft internal policies
• Effective verbal communication skills
• High degree of comfort and experience with newer technologies and tools (e.g., cloud-based applications, document storage, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse teams and constituents
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. person (i.e., a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Valid driver\'s license with low risk driving record

Preferred Qualifications

• While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:
• Recent experience practicing law in Ohio
• 10 or more years relevant experience
• Experience with federal regulations and procedures (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, FAR, DFARS, agency specific terms) governing federal contracting, awards, research agreements, and other funding and collaboration agreements
• Experience with research compliance
• Experience managing people, particularly other legal professionals
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience working strategically and collaboratively with clients (i.e., working through legal issues in a proactive or creative way to meet organization\'s business or missional needs)
• Ability to learn new areas of law quickly
• Ability to handle multiple matters at once
• Ability to handle matters independently and proactively and be a “self-starter”
• Commitment to inclusive excellence that aligns to the University\'s Catholic and Marianist mission
• Familiarity with legal issues facing colleges and universities

Special Instructions to Applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants: To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Closing Statement

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1