Senior Legal Counsel at BioInnovation Institute Foundation (UK)

Are you an experienced lawyer motivated by providing legal support and contributing to innovation and science in an international environment? Then we might have the perfect opportunity at BioInnovation Institute (BII), where we are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to support legal activities related to our UK operations and contribute to the continued development of BII’s European activities within human health.

The BioInnovation Institute (BII) is a Danish non‑profit foundation established by the Novo Nordisk Foundation in 2018. Its mission is to accelerate research and startups to bring forward bold solutions that improve human and planetary health. BII supports collaborative, interdisciplinary innovation across Life Sciences, Quantum Science, and Deep Tech, helping transform cutting‑edge research into viable companies so that new discoveries can deliver real impact for people and society.

BII is strengthening its activities within human health through a dedicated initiative aimed at translating early‑stage academic discoveries into validated pre‑clinical candidates. The initiative focuses on accelerating innovative research and supporting the development of next‑generation therapeutics with the potential to improve patient care and outcomes. Activities are anchored across dedicated European locations, working closely together within a shared scientific and operational framework. The location for this job is based in London, UK.

As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will play an important role in supporting BII’s activities within human health and company creation efforts, with a primary focus on the UK. Based in London, you will act as the primary legal contact for UK operations and provide day‑to‑day legal support across relevant BII activities and entities. Working closely with the wider Legal & IP team, you will also support the broader BII organization and contribute to the development of legal processes and frameworks across jurisdictions.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Provide legal support related to BII’s activities within human health and company creation efforts, with a primary focus on the UK.
• Act as the primary legal contact for BII’s UK operations and provide day‑to‑day legal support across relevant BII activities and entities.
• Manage external legal counsel supporting legal matters across BII’s European activities.
• Contribute to legal support across BII’s international activities and collaborations.
• Support the development of legal processes and frameworks for activities outside Denmark in collaboration with the Head of Legal.
• Provide legal support across the wider BII organization.

This is a full‑time position based on‑site in London, UK, King’s Cross, with responsibility for the UK location and close collaboration with other European locations. You will become part of a small on‑site UK team, but also an integrated member of BII’s Legal & IP team based in BII’s HQ in Copenhagen and report to the Head of Legal located in Copenhagen, Denmark.

We are looking for an experienced legal professional with a strong foundation in contract law and a track record of supporting complex collaborations within innovation, research, or life sciences environments. Ideally, you bring the following experience and competencies:

• MSc degree in Law.
• Qualify as a solicitor in the UK.
• Minimum 6 years of work experience as a lawyer, demonstrating high subject matter expertise and result‑oriented legal support.
• Experience from private practice/law firm or in‑house legal position (preferably both).
• Extensive experience composing, negotiating, and managing contracts (both civil and common law contracts).
• Experience working with innovation, universities, spin‑outs, and start‑ups.
• Experience dealing with or being part of CROs (clinical research organization).

Additional Preferred Skills:

• Experience working for or with foundations.
• Experience working with personal data, company law, and EU law.
• Experience working with grants/ donations, grant agreements, or tax.

You thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment, where priorities can shift, and new initiatives emerge quickly. You are comfortable working independently and take ownership of your area, while maintaining a proactive and strategic approach to legal matters. At the same time, you are able to translate complex legal topics into clear, practical guidance for a wide range of stakeholders.

The salary range for this role is £80,000-£100,000, depending on relevant experience and expertise within the area. Further details can be discussed during the interview process. We are committed to pay equity, ensuring equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or background.

At BII we offer a purpose‑driven community where science and innovation create meaningful change and impact in society. BII’s entrepreneurial environment is shaped and nurtured every day by our employees, start‑ups, and everyone who joins us in bringing science to life. This role offers a unique opportunity to join Europe’s largest innovation and incubation initiative within life sciences and deep tech. At BII, we value diversity, inclusion, and well‑being at the core of our operations, believing that the best ideas emerge when diverse perspectives unite. Join us to work alongside passionate changemakers in a dynamic, supportive environment where you can grow, shape the future of life sciences, and make a meaningful impact.

If you are curious to know more about the position, please contact Lasse Juul Jakobsen, Head of Legal (BII HQ, Copenhagen) on email, ljj@bii.dk. We welcome all applications and encourage candidates to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or socio‑economic background. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where different perspectives contribute to innovation.