Paralegal
UKRI - STFC
£24,435 - £26,560
Full time
Open ended

About Us

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a new organisation that brings together the UK’s Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England to maximise the contribution of each Council and create the best environment for research and innovation to flourish. The vision is to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. We’re trusted to support, enable and undertake pioneering projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science and engineering.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for up to 2 Paralegals within the Legal and Commercial Team of STFC at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The Legal and Commercial Team works closely with departments across the organization to ensure that STFC’s legal and commercial management issues are handled appropriately, while enabling STFC to do great science.

About the role

Duties of the role include:

• advising on and drafting property law documentation
• advising on commercial law
• preparing and advising on a variety of standard form contracts, primarily focused on non-disclosure agreements, studentships, collaboration agreements, and sales contracts, with both academic and commercial parties
• identifying, communicating and mitigating contractual risks
• ensuring compliance with STFC standards, protocols and policies in contractual, collaboration and research agreements
• effectively participating in and recording the negotiation process. 

You will report to the Legal Practice and Commercial Manager and work within the overall Legal and Commercial Team. You should be able to discuss individual cases with senior managers, project managers, the IP team and others seeking assistance or advice. You will be expected to contribute to the overall team functions as well as handle individual cases independently.

About you

It is essential that you have a degree (business, law or similar commercial discipline preferred) or relevant compensating experience.

You must have the ability to understand, advise and report on terms and conditions and have the ability to negotiate and influence others.

You will also have strong MS Office skills and be able to work well in a team environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and willingness to learn new skills are essential for the role.  

What we offer

UK Research and Innovation recognises and values employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance and a number of other benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to include a cover letter outlining their suitability for this role.

Applications are handled by UK SBS; to apply please click the Apply button. Applicants who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on +44 (0)1793 867000.

The closing date for applications is 9th December 2018, interviews to take place week commencing 17th December 2018, however we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.