The Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats.
Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.
Organisation position and purpose:
The Research Contracts Officer is a critical member of the knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation (KEC) team, and will support the Institute’s strategy by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of contracts related to our research. The role will be responsible for ensuring that contracts meet the expectations of academic staff, and external collaborators, while protecting the Institute’s interests and obligations. The position plays a key role in the Institute’s reputation externally, by working efficiently and flexibly. The role will be expected to work closely with other members of the KEC, other support services like Grants Administration and Finance, and with the scientific teams to understand the context around research contracts and provide a professional and efficient service.
The role is suitable for a confident self-starter who can work well in a busy environment dealing with shifting priorities and multiple demands on your time. The position will report to the Head of Business Development.
Main duties and responsibility
Responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiation a range of research contracts, such as collaboration agreements, confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements etc:
- Drafting contracts using Institute templates but adjusted to be suitable for the specific research project
- Reviewing contracts drafted by external partners
- Ensuring that contracts support the academic’s overall research programme
- Ensuring that contracts do not breach or otherwise contradict previous agreements including funding agreements
- Understanding and protecting the Institute’s legal interests
- Ensuring contracts comply with Institute policies
Responsible for maintaining and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to:
- Internal research teams
- Internal support services such as Finance and Grants Administration
- External contracts or legal teams, which may be based in the UK or abroad, in commercial academic, or charitable organisations
Responsible for updating and maintaining the KEC team’s agreements and projects database.
- Ensuring the database contains all relevant information regarding contracts
- Setting up appropriate alerts to manage contractual milestones
- Communicating payment schedules, reporting schedules, and other necessary information to the appropriate internal teams
This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.
All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute’s Quality Manager. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health and safety and security by following policies and all employees are responsible for the Health and Safety and security of staff under their management.
Personal specification
- Enthusiastic and motivated
- Flexible attitude
- Approachable and client-focussed
- Ability to build effective relationships
- Well organised and methodological with excellent attention to detail
- Good time management, and can deliver to deadlines
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong IT skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in biosciences, or equivalent work experience
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Highly organised with an ability to prioritise work and work to strict deadlines
- Ability to work in a team, independently, and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Experience with contract negotiations
- Experience working in the public, academic, or charitable sector
- And understanding of intellectual property
What we offer
- Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
- 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days
- Pirbright gym with subsidised membership
- Pirbright social club
- Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
- Cycle to work
- Subsidised staff restaurant
- Childcare vouchers and a subsidised childcare allowance
- Free onsite parking
Due to the nature of the work we do, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.
We would like to encourage all overseas applicants to consider the Tier 1 Global Talent Visa route. This has been designed for eligible, scientific researchers to work and live in the UK, subject to certain criteria. Please see for further information under the link: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent
The Pirbright Institute may be able to make a financial contribution towards the cost of immigration to the UK.
We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups, for example individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, women, and people with disabilities (visible and hidden). We are committed to taking steps to increase the diversity of our employee and student community and removing any barriers to opportunities and success.
The Institute is committed to retaining staff employed on fixed term contracts of employment. The Institute operates a Redeployment process which is the moving of an employee from one role to another suitable alternative role, when possible, to avoid compulsory redundancies.
We recognize the need for flexibility in our working and personal lives and we have a range of flexible working arrangements in practice. Where the role allows, arrangements can also be agreed for some informal home-working and we are open to candidate questions about this. If you wish to find out more, or have any questions, please contact jobs@Pirbright.ac.uk.
To apply for this vacancy please quote job reference number and send a copy of your CV with an optional cover letter to jobs@pirbright.ac.uk
For more information and to access the full job description, visit Jobs | The Pirbright Institute