Research Contracts Officer

Research at Edinburgh Napier University is creating high-quality knowledge that benefits the social, cultural and economic life of the society we serve.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 assessment of every UK university, over two-thirds of all our research was judged to be either ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, providing the best possible confirmation that Edinburgh Napier delivers excellent research with substantial real impact, nationally and internationally.

As such, we are opening a vacancy to individuals from a legal or business management background, offering an opportunity for hybrid/flexible working and excellent work life balance as a Research Contracts Officer, who will take responsibility for providing a comprehensive research contract review and approval support service for research and knowledge exchange projects.

The Role:

As Research Contracts Officer, you will have the remit to use your substantial experience of drafting and negotiating contracts to assess projects for contractual, financial and reputational risk and deal with any high-risk elements, in liaison with colleagues across Research, Innovation and Enterprise and the wider University.

Your sound knowledge of contract law and experience of drafting and negotiating contracts will serve you well as you assist with risk assessment and facilitation of contracts for projects with external partners, funders, clients and sub-contractors.

A key aspect of the role involves reviewing the IP arrangements within contracts and working with colleagues to identify opportunities and protect the University’s intellectual and commercial assets, so this post will allow you to really capitalise on your accumulated knowledge (particularly in relation to your experience of large-scale (>£500K) contract management) and handle contract matters at all stages from initial drafting and negotiation through to dealing with completion.

Further to this, you will assist the Research Contracts Manager with drafting, negotiation and completion of more complex contracts and projects, and ensure the delivery of a consistent and professional customer led service to all staff, support departments and clients involved in external income activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to move from a similar role in the Higher Education sector, or indeed make a move from private practice in the interest of work-life balance.  Either way, if you have the relevant experience and would like to join an organisation that values high standards, collaborative working and a positive working environment, then we would love to hear from you.

What we will need from you: 

• - Degree in Business Administration, Law or equivalent relevant work experience with contracts
• - Significant experience of contract management
• - Recent relevant experience of large-scale (>£500K) contract management
• - Sound knowledge of contract law and intellectual property management
• - Experience of monitoring and reporting contracts to satisfy audit requirements
• - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with confidence in communicating at all levels
• - Strong negotiating skills 

For a full role description and comprehensive list of duties please click here.

Benefits we offer:

We offer 41 days annual leave (includes bank holidays), a generous pension scheme (17.6%), flexible working and professional development opportunities. Further information regarding our benefits can be viewed here.

Additional information:

Contract: Permanent, Full Time – 35 hrs p/w

Application Closing date: 20^th July 2025

Interviews: Week commencing 28^th July 2025

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