Job overview

The R&D Department manages many research applications for the set-up of research studies every month and contracts are required for the majority of these research studies. The R&D Department employs currently 2.5 WTE Solicitor Consultants and 2 Contracts Managers in the R&D Legal Team, and 17 governance team members including data governance in the R&D Governance Team to co-ordinate the set-up of research studies and manage the necessary contracts.

We require a qualified solicitor to join the R&D Legal team to work with the R&D Legal team and wider R&D Department to:

•    Provide a dedicated professional legal service within the R&D Department, providing advice to team members, researchers, and liaising with partner and external organisations.

•    Advise on the legal aspects of all contracts relating to research involving the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre hosted by the Trust

The role is full-time but part-time/job share applicants will also be considered.

The role is based at the Trust and you will be required to work in the office for a minimum of 2 days a week (pro rata).

Main duties of the job

Prepare, review, negotiate and advise on all contracts relating to the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.

Provide a professional legal service to the R&D Department and Trust researchers to support research from early ideas through to patient benefit and commercialisation.

Liaising with researchers, heads of departments and other staff across the Trust, the University of Cambridge, partner organisations and external organisations.

Liaise with the University of Cambridge legal team, clinical school, research services division and other University departments for matters relating to research within both organisations.

Research and advise independently on particular points of law relating to research including data protection law and ICO guidance.

 Advise on compliance with statutory or regulatory matters or the interpretation of Trust policies and procedures relating to research.

Contribute to regular reviews of and updates of the Trust’s policies and procedures for research.

Instruct and liaise with external lawyers and counsel as and when necessary.

Liaise with key stakeholders on all issues relating to Trust research including data protection law and management of intellectual property.

Develop and update standardised precedent agreements and/or guidance documents for use in the R&D Department.

Provide training to the R&D Department, researchers and wider community

Working for our organisation

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.