Research Legal Counsel

Research Legal Counsel

Tracking Code: req1452

Faculty/Department: Office of VP, Research and Innovation

Number of Positions: 1

Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Salary Range: Level 12 - Annual Hiring Salary, $119,938, with annual step progression in accordance with the Salary Grid.

Posting Date: February 11, 2025

Closing Date: March 3, 2025 (7:00 pm EST)

Job Summary:
The Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation isthe central administrative support unit at Ontario Tech University,administering more than $26M annually in external research funding. TheUniversity is ranked as Canada's Research University of the Year, as designatedby Research Infosource for the second consecutive year. The Research LegalCounsel position is vital to the research enterprise overseeing research legalmatters for the University and advising researchers and the team within the Officeof the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, including the Office ofResearch Services, Brilliant Catalyst, Automotive Centre of Excellence andBrilliant Energy Institute.

Nature of Work:
The Research Legal Counsel position is specifically locatedwithin the Office of Research Services and reports directly to the ExecutiveDirector. The Research Legal Counsel position is responsible for managinga small team of contracts officers and liaising, as appropriate, with theOffice of General Counsel and other administrative units on campus. Inaddition, the position is responsible for providing effective and timely legaladvice, direction and representation on legal matters related to research, intellectualproperty, privacy, technology transfer and contracts for members of theUniversity research community. Flexibility, professionalism, and a teamapproach are necessary to work effectively with the University community andexternal stakeholders to advance research opportunities and to maximizeresearch funding.

Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Reviewingand providing legal and policy advice on a variety of issues including thedrafting and reviewing of a variety of research agreements, including researchgrants, non-disclosure agreements, licenses and assignments for intellectualproperty, privacy agreements, research procurement agreements, industrycollaboration agreements, and other agreements into which the Universityproposes to enter for research and other related purposes
• Negotiatinglegal aspects of research agreements and general contract matters
• Identifying,assessing and using creative problem solving to mitigate, legal risk to theUniversity, as it relates to research and other general matters
• Analyzing,reviewing and advising on internal disputes and/or disputes with third partysponsors
• Reviewingand developing research agreement templates and research policies andprocedures in accordance with all applicable policies, practices, legislation,institutional risk thresholds and other related guidelines, when no acceptabletemplate or precedent exists
• Deliveringeducational sessions and providing recommendations and advice to internalstakeholders on a variety of legal matters including intellectual propertyissues, risk mitigation, compliance with University policies and procedures,privacy, compliance with applicable provincial and federal laws andregulations, and other legal topics
• Retainingand liaising with external counsel, as required
• Providingfunctional advice to the Executive Director of Research Services and theVice-President, Research and Innovation
• Preparinginternal communications to summarize material rights and obligations withinresearch agreements
• Managingand mentoring a team of contracts officers
• Working with the Office ofResearch Services team to advise on new funding opportunities
• Allother related duties as required and assigned by the Executive Director, Officeof Research Services

Required Skills:

• A proven track record demonstrating effective leadership ability and project management skills and an ability to set priorities and manage multiple ongoing projects
• Consultation and relationship management skills to provide legal advice and successfully implement policies and best practices
• Excellent communication skills to listen to and consult with a range of internal and external stakeholders and prepare effective reports and presentations
• Team player with a willingness to pitch in and support colleagues as required
• Strong analysis and problem-solving skills
• A knowledge of intellectual property law and/or experience in intellectual property licensing would be an asset
• Understanding of research security and other research regulations and compliance requirements
• The ability to exercise judgment, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality
• Ability to manage people

Required Experience:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a combination of an in-house legal counsel role, preferably in a post-secondary environment, and private practice focused on commercial law
• Alternatively, minimum 3-5 years of experience in private practice focused on commercial law
• Experience in the management of legal affairs would be an asset

Required Education:

• Completion of a Master's Degree in a Specialized or Occupational field or completion of an undergraduate degree plus professional certification or equivalent
• A law degree in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario

* Verification of Academic credentials may be required

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until March 3, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

OntarioTech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenizationand decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualifiedcandidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations,Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons,persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply;however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work inCanada, will be given priority.

Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.

If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university's Accessibility Policy.

The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Expected Start Date: 3/3/2025