This position is part of the Administrative Professional (Employee Group)
One of Canada’s leading comprehensive universities and a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara, Brock University is an inclusive, welcoming campus community that offers a wide range of unique career opportunities for those with passion, energy and expertise. We’re looking for team members who want to help us continue to deliver an exceptional student experience, perform impact-driven research and generate life-changing breakthroughs for our world. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.
Post End Date:
Note to all candidates: This posting will close at 12:01 am on the date listed - January 23, 2023
A Day in the Life…
Reporting to the Director, the Legal Counsel, Research Services provides expert advising on legal services to the Office of Research Services (ORS) and the Vice-President, Research with a particular focus on broad types of research agreements, funding contracts, policy review and intellectual property.
Reporting indirectly to the General Legal Counsel, the Legal Counsel will work to coordinate the delivery of legal services to the University community to ensure appropriate legal advice and standards.
As the Legal Counsel, Research Services, you will:
- Provide expert legal advice and direction to the Vice-President, Research and the ORS on operational research-related matters, including research contracts and grants, material transfer agreements, data sharing agreements, non-disclosure agreements, intellectual property licenses, commercialization and the enforcement, management and protection of intellectual property rights;
- Independently consult with stakeholders; draft, review, amend, negotiate and advise on a variety of legal documents, identifying and articulating options and detailing risks to the University;
- Identify current gaps and implement policies and procedures to eliminate/limit the University’s exposure to risk; oversee and lead legal and compliance elements of strategic projects and planning in the research enterprise;
- Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda to inform the decisions of the Vice-President, Research and the Director, Research Services;
- Proactively review existing policies and procedures, providing guidance to support the strategic aims of the research enterprise, identifying and drafting amendments, updates, and new policies in accordance with all applicable policies, practices, legislation, and other related guidelines;
- Advise on protecting the University and researchers from legal liabilities as a result of research activities conducted by University Faculty members, staff and students;
- Provide technical, confidential, and administrative support to researchers and serve as a liaison on matters related to research compliance;
- Develop, coordinate, and monitor programs and procedures related to research compliance and risk management, including initiatives with clinical trials, intellectual property, confidential information management;
- Undertake research and analysis regarding legislative and regulatory compliance obligations and processes;
- Develop and deliver legal resources to increase legal capacity of the Brock Research Community.
What you need to Succeed…
- A relevant undergraduate degree and a Bachelor of Law, or equivalent;
- A member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario;
- A minimum of five (5) years of combined experience in legal practice and in a University research environment, with demonstrated practice expertise in a related field (post-secondary research contract review, administrative law, etc.);
- Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate legislation and case law, including intellectual property law, commercialization and contract law;
- Familiarity with the research funding environment and academic research industry and practices;
- Proven ability to develop creative solutions and provide effective legal advice across a wide range of legal matters with significant complexity and risk exposure;
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong relationships within the research community and with people from different backgrounds in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment;
- Ability to diagnose the situation presented, analyze issues, determining points of intersection and strategic significance, identifying key stakeholders, and developing and assessing options and associated risks;
- Strong presentation skills, with the proven ability to creatively disseminate legal material to small and large groups in an informative and appealing manner.
Preferred or Asset Skills:
- Experience providing legal advice and direction on research contracts, research grants, non-disclosure agreements, intellectual property licenses, and the protection of intellectual property; and
- Demonstrated understanding of technical subject matter (biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, etc.).
Salary and Benefit Information
- Job Grade O, Salary Scale ($76,374 - $108,762)*
- This position includes full comprehensive benefits coverage and tuition waiver.
*The salary range indicated is representative of all positions evaluated at this level. Actual salary is determined by assessing related skills, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness, subject to available budget.
*Applicants please include a cover letter with submission of your resume.
Brock University recently paused its COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirement although masks are still required in instructional spaces. This decision is subject to change on short notice should the public health situation require it. If the University once again requires all employees working on campus and/or in-person with other employees, students, or members of the public to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination. Those who meet specific and limited medical or human rights accommodation criteria may be required to participate in rapid antigen testing and enhanced screening protocols.
Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of Employment Equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples including those who identify as members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, members of visible minorities and racialized groups, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are encouraged to apply. We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment-Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
It is Brock University’s policy to give consideration to qualified internal applicants.
We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Apply on LinkedIn here
Apply on LinkedIn here
Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca