Legal Counsel

• Reporting to: Natasha Bowyer Irvine, Senior Legal Counsel
• Looking for a legal role where your work goes beyond the ordinary? Join the Francis Crick Institute as Legal Counsel and put your legal expertise at the heart of world-leading biomedical research and innovation
• From pioneering research collaborations and strategic partnerships to cutting-edge technology and complex commercial agreements, you will work on a fascinating variety of legal matters that help our scientists make discoveries about human health and disease
• You will join a friendly, collaborative and forward-thinking Legal & Governance team, working closely with colleagues across science and operations. Alongside providing practical legal advice, you will have the opportunity to shape how we deliver legal services, exploring new technologies, improving processes and helping us work smarter
• Providing practical, commercially focused legal advice to scientific and operational teams across the Crick
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of agreements, including commercial contracts, research collaborations, funding arrangements and agreements relating to intellectual property and data
• Supporting exciting scientific projects, strategic partnerships and commercial initiatives
• Building trusted relationships with stakeholders and translating complex legal matters into clear, accessible advice
• Improving legal processes, systems and ways of working
• Sharing knowledge, supporting junior colleagues and contributing to a positive, collaborative team culture

Benefits

• 28 days of holiday each year, plus three additional days (usually taken over Christmas) and bank holidays
• Life assurance
• Season ticket/car parking loan
• Annual leave purchase
• Childcare support allowance
• Back-up dependent care
• Discounted annual gym membership
• Bike to Work scheme
• Payroll giving
• Shopping discounts
• Defined contribution pension scheme, with the Crick contributing between 3% - 16% of salary

• You do not need a background in biomedical research to make an impact here. We are looking for a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys variety, building relationships and finding creative solutions. If you are curious, collaborative and excited by the opportunity to use your legal expertise somewhere it can make a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you
• A commitment to the Crick’s vision and core values
• Excellent interpersonal skills, self-awareness and the ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• A proactive, collaborative approach and experience supporting junior colleagues
• Excellent communication and legal drafting skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and effectively.*
• General commercial contracting experience, ideally in science or technology, and a sound understanding of the legal and regulatory context of a charitable biomedical research institute.*
• A solicitor or barrister admitted in England & Wales (or another common law jurisdiction), with a current practising certificate and at least three years’ post-qualification experience or demonstrable equivalent experience.*
• Experience of alternative legal service models, matter management systems and using technology to challenge existing approaches
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Experience working both in-house and in private practice
• Experience advising on data protection matters and negotiating related agreements
• A combination of transactional and advisory legal experience
• Specialist knowledge of intellectual property, corporate law, charity law, research or philanthropy

• Closing Date: 13/Nov/2026