The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a new national institute, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology development. The institute is based at our “hub” at the Harwell Campus in South Oxfordshire and at our “spokes” in our ten University Members throughout the UK.
Our work is focused into complementary themes which together will produce technologies to allow us to see the biological world in new ways, from single molecules to entire systems. This insight will speed up drug design and development, and push forward our understanding of human health and disease.
A collaborative approach is critical to realise the Rosalind Franklin’s ambitions. No one organisation can achieve what we want to deliver and each of our research programmes is a collaborative effort with academia and industry.
To support our ambitions we are looking for an experienced Contracts Manager who will work across all of our scientific and operational activities to safeguard the Rosalind Franklin’s charitable position, the academic community’s requirement to pursue further research and publish results and ensure value for money and appropriate access to intellectual property rights for our sponsors and collaborators.
About the role:
This is an exciting time to join the Rosalind Franklin’s team, with multiple transformative scientific research programmes underway and more due to begin in early 2020 as our research teams grow and our new research hub building opens in Harwell later this year.
Reporting to the Head of Partnerships and Business Development, you will be at the heart of enabling the translation of the Rosalind Franklin’s ground-breaking discoveries into new technologies that will transform life science and medical research by reviewing, drafting and negotiating a broad range of research-related contracts with our industry and academic collaborators, service providers, government and other funding bodies.
You will have a passion for research and technology development and its translation to advance our understanding of human health. This role (based at the Harwell campus) is an excellent opportunity to further develop your career in academic contracts management in a growing and innovative research organisation.
Responsibilities:
• Review, draft, and negotiate on a timely basis a broad range of research and research-related contracts independently and/or in collaboration with the Head of Partnerships and Business Development
• Establish best practice to support the research teams to understand and comply with contractual obligations
• Manage key internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Manage input and advice from external legal counsel, focusing on value for money
• Proactively maintain accurate contract activity records in the Franklin’s innovation management database
• Work across all teams at the Rosalind Franklin to contribute to other projects or activities as the need arises
Person specification:
Essential:
• Relevant degree or professional qualification or equivalent experience
• Experienced in negotiating research and research-related contracts and costing/pricing, ideally in the Higher Education sector or similar context
• Sound knowledge of contracting issues such as intellectual property, confidentiality, publications, liabilities and other related issues
• Excellent customer focus and customer relationship skills
• Diplomatic and pragmatic with excellent attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and concisely to a wide audience of varying levels of knowledge and expertise
• Proven ability to effectively prioritise workload and meet deadlines across multiple projects
• Ability to work well independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams
• Strong data management experience
Desirable:
• Research experience
• Experience in working in a start-up environment
• Commitment to personal development and training
• Experience of using the WellSpring Sophia knowledge management system or similar systems
In return we offer
• 25 days holidays
• Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%)
• Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels
• Bus pass discount scheme
• Access to employee discount platform
• Subsidised canteen
• Free on-site parking
• Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff
This role is advertised as part-time (0.6 FTE) in the first instance and flexible options will be considered. If you would like to discuss this role please contact Roisin NicAmhlaoibh, Head of Partnerships and Business Development.
Closing date: 31st March 2020, 9:00am