Contracts Partner

Hours: Full-time – 37 hours a week (a small amount of remote working is possible, but this role does require regular onsite attendance)

Location: BGS headquarters in Keyworth in Nottingham

A great benefits package is offered! including an outstanding pension scheme (with an generous employer contribution – on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays!

About the role

BGS is an innovative and world-renowned geoscientific research centre engaged in many exciting and forward-thinking research collaborations both nationally and internationally. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced contracts manager to be involved in contractual negotiations in support of BGS’s research activities.

Key duties:

• Provide expert legal knowledge to support an increase in our commercial research activity by negotiating and leading on all contracts being undertaken as part of BGS’s commissioned income and collaborative research work.
• Provide legal support to facilitate major national and international geoscientific research and collaboration projects.
• Drafting “tailored” agreements to meet specific requirements for non-standard research work.

There may be a requirement for occasional travel within the UK as required.

The following specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).

Essential

• Law degree or other qualifications supported by relevant legal/commercial contracts experience and qualifications (S)
• Experience of working within a UK research institute and/or public sector body, or demonstrable experience of routinely working with/for such organisations, including experience of handling commercial contracts, dealing with complex legal and contractual processes associated with commercial tender, contract, and research agreement work; including negotiations with clients, with regard to terms and conditions under which contracted or collaborative work is to be undertaken. (S&I)
• Expert knowledge of business/contract law, including all relevant legislation/regulations. (S&I)
• Able to manage your own contractual casework within a high pressure, routinely time-critical legal/contractual environment. To include effectively communicating to non-legal colleagues and external organisations. (S&I)
• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)

Desirable

• Further relevant legal qualifications, e.g. commercial law, contract law, intellectual property rights law. (S)
• In-depth understanding of specific legislation/regulations of particular relevance to scientific research community and public sector, e.g. Freedom of Information Act/Environmental Information Regulations; Data Protection legislation; Intellectual Property Rights (S&I)
• A solid understanding of NEC Contracts, which are routinely placed on BGS for consideration, and of licencing agreements. (S&I)

The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 11th February 2026. Interviews will be held Friday 27th February 2026 in Nottingham.

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