Purpose of Role
To prepare, negotiate and conclude commercial contracts, including confidentiality, research, collaboration & consultancy agreements for areas of planned growth, including critical technologies, defence and space, and two of the University’s GRIs, viz Health & Care Technologies and iNetZ+.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To draft, negotiate and advise on research and related contracts, subcontracts, confidentiality agreements, studentships, collaboration agreements, etc.
2. To provide commercially focussed advice on developing partnerships, contract research, industrial sponsorship deals and commercial contracts.
3. To draft and review software licences, patent and knowhow licences and associated documentation.
4. To provide general intellectual property advice to academic and professional services colleagues.
5. To provide general contractual advice to support other directorates within the university, eg Business & Enterprise, Finance, Governance & Legal Services, etc
6. To assist the Head of Legal and Senior Contracts Advisor on a variety of contractual matters as required.
7. To undertake any other duties required from time to time by the Head of Legal or the Director of Research Engagement.
Education, Qualifications & Experience:
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made:
Essential
8. Educated to first degree level in law (LLB) or business with relevant legal content or equivalent practical experience in the workplace
9. Experience of working within a similar environment as outlined above
10. Competent in the use of relevant IT packages
11. Proven relevant experience in commercial contracts which will have been acquired over a number of years, with a basic understanding of the relevant theory
12. Good knowledge and understanding of intellectual property rights
13. Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively
14. Demonstrable excellent customer service
15. Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment
16. Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation
17. High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment
18. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Desirable
19. Professional Qualification or membership of Professional body (Law Society)
20. Experience of working in Higher Education
21. Understanding of the different aspects of commercialisation in a university context