Job Description

UE07: £41,064.00 to £48,822.00 per annum.

Corporate Services Group / Edinburgh Research Office.

Full time: 35 hours per week.

Fixed term: 12-month maternity leave cover.

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 legal experts and contracts specialists and will use your expertise to draft, review and negotiate a range of legal agreements with UK and international partners, and funders supporting the University’s extensive global research portfolio.

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

Your skills and attributes will enable you to:

• provide expert contract advice to academic and professional services colleagues across the University
• draft and review a wide range of research related contracts
• 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, studentship agreements.
• provide expertise and bespoke contract advice across a wide research portfolio including UK, EU and international contracts

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Please note that this is not a procurement role.

This role would suit:

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

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits pageand use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

- a CV, and

- a cover letter explaining how you meet the knowledge, skill and experience required.

Informal queries are welcomed, and can be made by contacting Kwadwo Ohemeng-Boakye, Deputy Head of Research Contracts, email kk.ohemengboakye@ed.ac.uk

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 25 June 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time.

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.