Hours per week: 37
Project Title: KEC Contracts Management
Duration: Indefinite
Flexible Options: Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours are also welcomed.
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
This post will work alongside the Technology Transfer Team at the John Innes Centre and our current Contracts Managers (based within Norwich Bioscience Institutes) leading on drafting and negotiating sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, commercial contracts, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements, commercialisation agreements, commercial licence agreements, equity and revenue share agreements, material transfer agreements, and shareholder agreements. Working in support of the researchers and driven by business needs, they will need to provide a professional, effective, timely, and responsive contracts service for the KEC Team. Key Relationships
Internal:
Reporting to the Head of Business Development, the Senior Contracts Manager will be the legal expert for the KEC Department and will work closely with Directorate staff, all JIC academic staff as well as the Norwich Biosciences Institutes' Contracts and Finance Departments. External:
Funding agencies, Industrial Partners, Third Sector Organisation and Collaborators, e.g. BBSRC, Innovate UK, DSIT, the European Research Council, affiliated organisations part owned by JIC, charitable organisations, NGOs, and commercial companies local, national, and international including micro-businesses, small to medium enterprises, and multinationals. Legal: Accountants, Lawyers, Legal and para-legal Advisors, Patent Attorneys. Main Activities & Responsibilities
Contract drafting and negotiation:
Lead on the drafting and negotiation of a variety of research and commercial contracts and agreements on behalf of the John Innes Centre. Provide clear, pragmatic advice on the implications of contractual terms, and how to manage the activity in the context. Ensure that contractual terms meet the Centre's requirements, or that variations are highlighted and appropriately managed (in liaison with the Head of Business Development and Head of NBI Research Contracts). Ensure that contracts negotiations are completed in a timely manner. Ensure that institutional risk is identified and appropriately assessed within each contract. Liaise with the Head of Business Development, the Chief Operating Officer, and the relevant Project Managers to ensure that all aspects of an activity are covered in the contract, and that the Office and relevant scientist understand the contractual issues. Liaise with external stakeholders to negotiate relevant elements of agreements. Contribute to the creation and maintenance of a set of standard template agreements.
Liaison and Management:
Ensure that the researchers, the KEC Team, Directorate, and NBI Contracts (internal parties) teams have a clear understanding of the context, aims, and purpose of each contract, and that the terms are appropriate. Ensure internal parties are kept regularly informed of the status of contract development/negotiation, and are appropriately involved with the process. Ensure that contract terms are appropriately explained to internal parties, and that any implications are understood. Interact with legal teams of external organisations, as appropriate, to communicate clearly and concisely the points of negotiation. Ensure a trusted good working relationship with both internal and external parties. Liaise with KEC admin team.
Policies:
Maintain a good understanding and implementation of the JIC's policies as they relate to research, knowledge exchange, commercialisation, and impact. Develop and maintain an understanding of critical regulatory requirements and/or policy issues. Contribute to the development of the policy environment around contracting IP.
Intellectual Property:
Facilitate and liaise with external patent agencies and other third-party technology transfer companies (if appropriate) to ensure the interests of the JIC are protected. Deal with ongoing IP protection and IP matters as they arise.
Training and Development:
Contribute to the development and delivery of training for researchers, staff, and students as required. Maintain CPD.
As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees. Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
Requirement Importance Degree or equivalent in Biological Sciences and/or Law: Essential Qualification in intellectual property law/processes: Essential Specialist Knowledge & Skills
Requirement Importance Proven experience in clear concise legal drafting skills: Essential Possess commercial acumen: Essential Competence using a broad range of IT packages, Word, Excel, Email, databases, and PowerPoint: Essential Ability to assimilate information from a wide variety of sources: Essential Able to multi-task and manage diverse workloads and deliver to tight deadlines under pressure: Essential Able to work independently within a broad framework and with minimal guidance: Essential A problem solver prepared to propose solutions: Essential Ability to take initiative and proactively promote ideas: Essential Requirement Importance Significant experience of contract law and drafting and reviewing contracts: Essential Significant experience of negotiating contracts: Essential Experience of Intellectual Property management and protection: Essential Working in a similar role in a university: Desirable Working in a similar role in a research organisation: Desirable Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Requirement Importance A team player able to work independently where necessary and to accept individual responsibility: Essential Excellent communication skills: Essential Strong negotiating skills: Essential Committed, energetic, tenacious, and results driven: Essential Experience and aptitude for preparing and giving presentations: Essential Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build good working relationships with colleagues: Essential Additional Requirements
Requirement Importance Attention to detail: Essential Promotes equality and values diversity: Essential Willingness to work flexibly when coordinating agreements with international parties: Essential Ability to see agreements through to timely completion: Essential Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required: Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work: Essential Who We Are
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society. Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk. We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment, and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709). Department
Directorate The Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation (KEC) Department has two main functions: Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation. Knowledge Exchange includes the processes, mechanisms, networks, and relationships that enable knowledge derived from research activity to move between organisations. The term is applied to the sharing of knowledge that has potential impact on innovation, and to change, transform, enhance, or generate new or improved professional practices, policies, technologies, products, services, and public perceptions. Commercialisation (which in some contexts is referred to as Technology Transfer) describes the process by which the outcomes of research activity are brought to the marketplace through the development of new products, processes, services, or technologies. There will be commercial return involved in the process relating to the potential value of the assets. The process involves the identification of research which has potential commercial interest and the designing of strategies for how to exploit this research. This will include the protecting and managing of the rights to intellectual property. Strategies can include the creation of licensing agreements or joint ventures, partnerships, or spin-out companies. KEC Contracts Manager Salary: £44,500 - £55,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. Contract: Full time, indefinite post Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. Closing date: 12 February 2025 Reference: 1004819
We are seeking a KEC Contracts manager with commercial legal experience to oversee the full range of legal agreements underlying KEC activities at JIC. You will be joining an experienced Technology Transfer Team at the John Innes Centre, a world-leading academic research organisation at the forefront of innovation in plant and microbial science with a focus on AgriFood and Health. About the John Innes Centre: The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision,
Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet , sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game-changing impact of our science globally. Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre. Additional information: Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship. We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment, and good practices towards advancing gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family-friendly workplace.
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Main Purpose of the Job
This post will work alongside the Technology Transfer Team at the John Innes Centre and our current Contracts Managers (based within Norwich Bioscience Institutes) leading on drafting and negotiating sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, commercial contracts, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements, commercialisation agreements, commercial licence agreements, equity and revenue share agreements, material transfer agreements, and shareholder agreements. Working in support of the researchers and driven by business needs, they will need to provide a professional, effective, timely, and responsive contracts service for the KEC Team. Key Relationships
Internal:
Reporting to the Head of Business Development, the Senior Contracts Manager will be the legal expert for the KEC Department and will work closely with Directorate staff, all JIC academic staff as well as the Norwich Biosciences Institutes' Contracts and Finance Departments. External:
Funding agencies, Industrial Partners, Third Sector Organisation and Collaborators, e.g. BBSRC, Innovate UK, DSIT, the European Research Council, affiliated organisations part owned by JIC, charitable organisations, NGOs, and commercial companies local, national, and international including micro-businesses, small to medium enterprises, and multinationals. Legal: Accountants, Lawyers, Legal and para-legal Advisors, Patent Attorneys. Main Activities & Responsibilities
Contract drafting and negotiation:
Lead on the drafting and negotiation of a variety of research and commercial contracts and agreements on behalf of the John Innes Centre. Provide clear, pragmatic advice on the implications of contractual terms, and how to manage the activity in the context. Ensure that contractual terms meet the Centre's requirements, or that variations are highlighted and appropriately managed (in liaison with the Head of Business Development and Head of NBI Research Contracts). Ensure that contracts negotiations are completed in a timely manner. Ensure that institutional risk is identified and appropriately assessed within each contract. Liaise with the Head of Business Development, the Chief Operating Officer, and the relevant Project Managers to ensure that all aspects of an activity are covered in the contract, and that the Office and relevant scientist understand the contractual issues. Liaise with external stakeholders to negotiate relevant elements of agreements. Contribute to the creation and maintenance of a set of standard template agreements.
Liaison and Management:
Ensure that the researchers, the KEC Team, Directorate, and NBI Contracts (internal parties) teams have a clear understanding of the context, aims, and purpose of each contract, and that the terms are appropriate. Ensure internal parties are kept regularly informed of the status of contract development/negotiation, and are appropriately involved with the process. Ensure that contract terms are appropriately explained to internal parties, and that any implications are understood. Interact with legal teams of external organisations, as appropriate, to communicate clearly and concisely the points of negotiation. Ensure a trusted good working relationship with both internal and external parties. Liaise with KEC admin team.
Policies:
Maintain a good understanding and implementation of the JIC's policies as they relate to research, knowledge exchange, commercialisation, and impact. Develop and maintain an understanding of critical regulatory requirements and/or policy issues. Contribute to the development of the policy environment around contracting IP.
Intellectual Property:
Facilitate and liaise with external patent agencies and other third-party technology transfer companies (if appropriate) to ensure the interests of the JIC are protected. Deal with ongoing IP protection and IP matters as they arise.
Training and Development:
Contribute to the development and delivery of training for researchers, staff, and students as required. Maintain CPD.
As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees. Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
Requirement Importance Degree or equivalent in Biological Sciences and/or Law: Essential Qualification in intellectual property law/processes: Essential Specialist Knowledge & Skills
Requirement Importance Proven experience in clear concise legal drafting skills: Essential Possess commercial acumen: Essential Competence using a broad range of IT packages, Word, Excel, Email, databases, and PowerPoint: Essential Ability to assimilate information from a wide variety of sources: Essential Able to multi-task and manage diverse workloads and deliver to tight deadlines under pressure: Essential Able to work independently within a broad framework and with minimal guidance: Essential A problem solver prepared to propose solutions: Essential Ability to take initiative and proactively promote ideas: Essential Requirement Importance Significant experience of contract law and drafting and reviewing contracts: Essential Significant experience of negotiating contracts: Essential Experience of Intellectual Property management and protection: Essential Working in a similar role in a university: Desirable Working in a similar role in a research organisation: Desirable Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Requirement Importance A team player able to work independently where necessary and to accept individual responsibility: Essential Excellent communication skills: Essential Strong negotiating skills: Essential Committed, energetic, tenacious, and results driven: Essential Experience and aptitude for preparing and giving presentations: Essential Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build good working relationships with colleagues: Essential Additional Requirements
Requirement Importance Attention to detail: Essential Promotes equality and values diversity: Essential Willingness to work flexibly when coordinating agreements with international parties: Essential Ability to see agreements through to timely completion: Essential Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required: Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work: Essential Who We Are
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society. Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk. We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment, and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709). Department
Directorate The Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation (KEC) Department has two main functions: Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation. Knowledge Exchange includes the processes, mechanisms, networks, and relationships that enable knowledge derived from research activity to move between organisations. The term is applied to the sharing of knowledge that has potential impact on innovation, and to change, transform, enhance, or generate new or improved professional practices, policies, technologies, products, services, and public perceptions. Commercialisation (which in some contexts is referred to as Technology Transfer) describes the process by which the outcomes of research activity are brought to the marketplace through the development of new products, processes, services, or technologies. There will be commercial return involved in the process relating to the potential value of the assets. The process involves the identification of research which has potential commercial interest and the designing of strategies for how to exploit this research. This will include the protecting and managing of the rights to intellectual property. Strategies can include the creation of licensing agreements or joint ventures, partnerships, or spin-out companies. KEC Contracts Manager Salary: £44,500 - £55,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. Contract: Full time, indefinite post Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. Closing date: 12 February 2025 Reference: 1004819
We are seeking a KEC Contracts manager with commercial legal experience to oversee the full range of legal agreements underlying KEC activities at JIC. You will be joining an experienced Technology Transfer Team at the John Innes Centre, a world-leading academic research organisation at the forefront of innovation in plant and microbial science with a focus on AgriFood and Health. About the John Innes Centre: The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision,
Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet , sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game-changing impact of our science globally. Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre. Additional information: Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship. We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment, and good practices towards advancing gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family-friendly workplace.
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