At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal support for R&D projects, ensuring compliance and facilitating innovation.
- Company: Join GSK, a leading global healthcare company committed to improving patient health.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment valuing diverse backgrounds and innovative thinking.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on global health while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with experience in life sciences and clinical trials.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Senior Counsel - R&D Legal Team
GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future.
By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally.
Our Ahead Together strategy is centred on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems.
You will be part of the R&D Legal Team which supports both the Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation R&D programmes and the platform teams which support the discovery and development of our medicines and vaccines (including R&D Technologies, Translational & Development Sciences, Development Operations and Drug Development and Supply).
Team members have deep understanding of the R&D business and science and are legal subject‑matter specialists on the regulatory landscape affecting these activities and facilitating external collaborations that are essential to our operating model.
You will be a trusted legal partner to R&D teams in the UK and abroad, advising across research and development.
You will provide clear, timely legal advice that helps teams move science forward while managing legal and regulatory risk.
You will work closely with scientists, clinicians, regulatory and commercial colleagues in a global, matrixed environment.
We value practical judgment, collaborative spirit, and a drive to learn.
This role offers growth, meaningful impact and alignment with GSK’s mission of uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
You will be part of a small team providing legal support to clinical phase platforms that enable our R&D organisation, GSK’s ambition in China and a number of investigational medicines in our Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation pipeline.
Responsibilities
Be the primary lawyer for key R&D pipeline assets, accountable for all aspects of legal advice, working closely with other legal and cross‑functional partners for input where needed.
Represent legal on cross‑functional project teams and governance forums relating to these pipeline assets.
Provide support to key development operations organisations such as the UK Cambridge Clinical Unit and the Asia R&D team.
Draft, review and negotiate key R&D agreements such as research, collaboration and clinical trial agreements.
Advise on legal matters relating to clinical development, human biological samples, informed consent, data protection and privacy, and ethical considerations.
Support precision medicine initiatives including use of biomarkers, companion diagnostics and data‑driven research, advising on associated contractual and regulatory issues.
Manage and instruct external counsel when needed and contribute to improving legal processes, templates and guidance.
- Basic Qualifications
- Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in England and Wales.
- Significant post‑qualification experience advising life sciences R&D, clinical trials or related areas.
- Relevant private practice and/or in‑house experience advising clients active in the discovery, development and/or commercialization of medicines and vaccines including experience advising on several of the following legal topics: clinical and commercial contracting, collaborations and intellectual property licensing, data privacy, regulation of clinical trials and other human subject research and regulation of medicinal product approval.
- Practical knowledge of data protection and privacy laws as they apply to clinical and research data.
- Experience working in an international matrixed organisation and partnering with scientific and commercial colleagues from across the globe.
- Strong communicator who can explain legal issues clearly to non‑lawyers and deliver pragmatic advice.
- Willingness to undertake domestic and international travel as required.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Experience of the use of healthcare technologies in clinical development including in‑vitro diagnostics and digital health solutions.
- Familiarity with AI/machine learning issues in research and related contractual considerations.
- Experience supporting asset in‑licensing, acquisitions or strategic partnering in R&D, including negotiating academic collaborations.
- Experience of transactions with entities in China.
- Comfort managing external counsel and prioritising legal spend efficiently.
- Working model
This role is offered as hybrid working based in the United Kingdom.
You will combine on‑site work with remote working in line with the team’s rhythm and critical reporting or project needs, with a basic expectation of 2-3 days per week presence in the office.
What we value
We look for people who are collaborative, curious, and focused on outcomes.
We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and career paths.
If you want to help shape how legal support enables science to progress, grow your legal career, and make meaningful impact on patient health, we would like to hear from you.
Closing Date for Applications: 19/07/2026 EOD
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
For adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities, contact us at UKRecruitment. Adjustments@gsk. com where you can also request a call.
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Senior Counsel - R&D Legal Team in Cambridge employer: Gsk
GSK is an exceptional employer located in Greater London, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Senior FinOps Product Manager, you will have the opportunity to drive impactful projects while benefiting from robust employee growth opportunities and a culture that values diverse perspectives. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on agile methodologies, GSK empowers its employees to thrive in their careers while contributing to meaningful advancements in cloud financial management.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Counsel - R&D Legal Team in Cambridge
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsel - R&D Legal Team in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Gsk, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
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Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Gsk and the specific role of Senior Counsel - R&D Legal Team. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Gsk
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
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Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
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