GRI Contracts Advisor in Scotland

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, salary £37,694 - 47,389 FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE. Hybrid working is possible, with a minimum of 3 days per week on campus required. G6-G10: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full-time staff.

Organisation Name: Research Engagement

About our School/Directorate and Team: The Research Engagement Directorate consists of three linked divisions – Research Development, Legal, and Policy Strategy & Impact - spanning the breadth of research engagement from supporting researchers with the development of research proposals and bids, to collaborating with industry on research & development, as well as knowledge exchange projects, and public engagement. The Legal division’s mission is to protect the interests of the University in its research and knowledge exchange activities, and support the areas of income growth in Strategy 2035 such as critical technology, defence and space. A particular focus will be to support the strategic growth pathway of developing partnerships to add value to the university’s impact in the world.

The Global Research Institutes (GRIs) at Heriot-Watt University are centres of excellence and collaboration, created to address global challenges by leveraging our global reach, our significant international collaborations and our long-standing partnerships with business and industry. The GRI in Health & Care Technologies aims to be a leading centre of Translational Research Excellence, focusing on innovative solutions in health and care technologies to address global healthcare needs. By harnessing cutting‑edge technologies such as digital health, artificial intelligence, and biomedical engineering, the institute strives to improve health outcomes, enhance care delivery, and create a meaningful societal impact, extending Heriot-Watt University’s global influence in healthcare technology.

Simultaneously, the university’s commitment to leveraging its global reach and pioneering innovation is embodied in the newly established net zero‑focused institute, iNetZ+. This GRI serves as a hub for researchers, academics, and students from across Heriot-Watt’s global campuses and various disciplines, uniting them in the pursuit of solutions to the climate emergency. iNetZ+ fosters collaboration and brings together leading minds to conduct groundbreaking research, develop sustainable technologies, and propose actionable solutions, supported by robust international partnerships and industry connections. Together, these institutes reflect Heriot-Watt University’s dedication to addressing critical societal and environmental challenges through impactful research and collaborative innovation.

A Legal Contracts Adviser is essential for the Global Research Institutes to navigate the complexity of managing legal, ethical, and financial issues across healthcare and net zero technology research. The role ensures that partnerships, intellectual property, data usage, and funding arrangements are legally sound and compliant with relevant regulations enabling them to pursue their goals responsively and effectively.

Purpose of Role

To prepare, negotiate and conclude commercial contracts, including confidentiality, research, collaboration & consultancy agreements for areas of planned growth, including critical technologies, defence and space, and two of the University’s GRIs, viz Health & Care Technologies and iNetZ+.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities

• To draft, negotiate and advise on research and related contracts, subcontracts, confidentiality agreements, studentships, collaboration agreements, etc.
• To provide commercially focussed advice on developing partnerships, contract research, industrial sponsorship deals and commercial contracts.
• To draft and review software licences, patent and knowhow licences and associated documentation.
• To provide general intellectual property advice to academic and professional services colleagues.
• To provide general contractual advice to support other directorates within the university, eg Business & Enterprise, Finance, Governance & Legal Services, etc.
• To assist the Head of Legal and Senior Contracts Advisor on a variety of contractual matters as required.
• To undertake any other duties required from time to time by the Head of Legal or the Director of Research Engagement.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

These are the criteria on which the short‑listing and recruitment selection will be made:

Essential

• Educated to first degree level in law (LLB) or business with relevant legal content or equivalent practical experience in the workplace.
• Experience of working within a similar environment as outlined above.
• Competent in the use of relevant IT packages.
• Proven relevant experience in commercial contracts which will have been acquired over a number of years, with a basic understanding of the relevant theory.
• Good knowledge and understanding of intellectual property rights.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
• Demonstrable excellent customer service.
• Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment.
• Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
• High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Professional Qualification or membership of Professional body (Law Society).
• Experience of working in Higher Education.
• Understanding of the different aspects of commercialisation in a university context.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Sunday 31st May 2026.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well‑being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part‑time working and job share options.