Contracts Manager

Edinburgh Research Office (“ERO”)  
Full Time: 35 Hours per week 

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced research contracts specialist to play a key role in the delivery of the University of Edinburgh’s Research Contracts service. You will work closely with a team of solicitors and contracts specialists providing expert advice and create successful legal solutions to expedite the successful conclusion of a wide range of research contracts, providing exceptional customer service and legal expertise to support the University’s strategic research goals.

The successful candidates will embody our values of expertise, community, integrity and collaboration.

As a Contracts Manager, you will work across the University using your expertise in drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of legal agreements with UK, international partners and funders supporting the University’s extensive global research portfolio.

The University of Edinburgh is 4th in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top ranked institution, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings. The University increased its research income by 8% to £365m in 2023/24.

The Research Contracts team is a positive, pro-active and friendly team that is focussed on delivering a high-quality professional service and continuously improving its services/systems for its internal customers by working closely across teams in the University and working in partnership with other stakeholders to find optimum solutions to common service challenges.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Provide expert contract advice to academic and professional services colleagues across the University
• Draft and review a wide range of research related contracts
• Work closely across teams to develop and implement new systems and processes to improve service delivery
• Build relationships with colleagues across Edinburgh Research Office and with key stakeholders to ensure optimum solutions are developed to successfully resolve contracting issues and challenges.
• Progress and advise on the full range of research related agreements including, for example; funding agreements, framework agreements, collaboration agreements, research service agreements, EU agreements, clinical trial agreements, UK and international data sharing/processing agreements, material transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, studentships and Intellectual property provisions.
• Provide expertise and bespoke contract advice across a wide research portfolio including UK, EU and international contracts

This role would suit:

• Solicitors who are looking for a move in-house and the opportunity to use your legal skills in a world leading university
• In-house solicitors wishing to work in a dynamic contract research environment
• Contract specialists with experience and knowledge of research agreements and associated legal issues - ideally in a higher education institution sector.

Closing date: 12 May 2025 at 11:59pm

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