View Vacancy Contracts Coordinator - MLC 2535 Open Date 06/12/2024, 09:00 Close Date 01/01/2025, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Mary Lyon Centre As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y Research Institute / Unit Information The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation campus in Oxfordshire and is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of genetics research. As the hub of the new National Mouse Genetics Network, the specialist facilities and capabilities of the MLC support a number of research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration. UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org Band MRC - 4 Location Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire Salary £36,196 - £42,526 pro-rata per annum (depending on skills and experience) Contract Type Permanent Job Type Administration & Management Full Time / Part Time Part Time Hours per week Up to 20 Job Description Overall Purpose: To be part of the team supporting scientific staff at MRC Harwell for research contracts and agreements, technology transfer, industrial collaborations, strategic partnerships and external funding applications. The team also provides advice in the requirements of research ethics and research governance policies. Most of the research groups at MRC Harwell attract external funding from a variety of sources, and/or engage in collaborative research, exchange materials or data, or undertake studies requiring ethical approval. All such activities bring a need for formal contracts and agreements, which serve both to facilitate the research, and to protect the interests of the MRC and the research staff. Support in these areas is provided through working relationships with the Head of Finance, the Business Development and Partnership Manager, and colleagues at other institutes, working closely with colleagues from UKRI and LGC, MRC's technology transfer partner. Key to the success of this role will be the ability to combine an understanding of the research undertaken here at MRC Harwell, and of the potential and implications for collaboration or exploitation, with extensive experience in research contract and Materials Transfer Agreement negotiation and management in this fast-paced environment. Some of our facilities operate a fee-for-service model as well as academic support; therefore, ensuring that agreements are in line with expectations is paramount. Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: Management of the research grants and contracts advisory service. To provide and review drafts, initiated by MRC Harwell and by another organisation, and negotiate research contracts and agreements for MRC Harwell. This involves balancing competing interests including but not limited to: protecting academic freedom to operate (use of results and intellectual property, publication); maximising the opportunities for translation and knowledge transfer, and where possible exploitation; funder's/sponsor's terms and conditions; managing risk through negotiation of warranties, liabilities and indemnities in accordance with approved risk management frameworks; ensuring compliance with MRC and UKRI policies, procedures and best practice; recording research governance arrangements, requiring a good knowledge of applicable legislation and guidance and explaining how these apply to the research being proposed. Approve (within delegated authority) or recommend submission of all external funding applications, noting and negotiating any unusual terms and conditions. To work with the Head of Biological Resources and their team on the transfer of research materials from and to MRC Harwell. To identify and support due diligence and contractual issues associated with the transfer into or out of MRC Harwell of individual research leaders/groups. To develop a knowledge of the research portfolio of MRC Harwell including the requirement for evaluation and protection of intellectual property. To work closely with, and enhance the interactions between, the MRC technology transfer service provider LGC and lead scientists at MRC Harwell. The following agreements would generally fall within the Contracts Coordinator's responsibilities: Collaborative research agreements: negotiations will include consideration of the appropriateness of the funding body; the nature of the collaboration; complementarity with the remit of MRC Harwell; compliance with MRC policy and legislation; and the possibility of conflict with other research programmes within the field of science. Terms requiring special consideration relate to intellectual property (IP), publication, ethics/research governance, warranties, liability and indemnity, and the post-holder will be expected to present a risk-based analysis to the Head of Finance for approval. In support of the close working relationship between the MRC and other institutions, it will be important to establish and maintain an efficient working relationship with counterpart staff at these other institutions. Grant applications (incl. EU funding applications) : support the submission and management of grants in conjunction with science staff, and LGC where relevant. Material Transfer Agreements and Material Release Agreements: to protect MRC intellectual property (IP) from misuse and the MRC from unacceptable liabilities, when transferring materials both into and out of the MRC (including when staff leave). Licence agreements : the post-holder will assist in discussions about licence agreements, to support the inventor/scientist, Head of Operations and LGC. Consultancy agreements: the post-holder will ensure that MRC interests and policy are protected both at corporate and establishment level and with no conflicts of interest between consultant/company/MRC. Advice will be given to prospective consultants on appropriate fees and implications in terms of their own liabilities. Confidentiality agreements including drafting (based on templates) and negotiation to ensure that, for example, Freedom of Information Act provisions are included. Other contracts or agreements as required on a case-by-case basis. Support and Representation Provide general support, guidance and training to research staff in respect of agreements and the requirements for the protection of IP. Other Duties Research Ethics/Governance: keep abreast of the ethical and research governance requirements relating to MRC Harwell's research, including being proactive and elevating concerns to MRC Head Office and advising research staff on mechanisms to ensure compliance with MRC policy. Management Information: overseeing the effective and efficient administration of all contractual records relating to research and materials, including database management. Working Relationships: Reports to Head of Finance & Research Contracts. Works with other key stakeholders, both internally and externally, including Unit Heads of Departments, UKRI and MRC Head office. Additional Information: The post-holder will be expected to draft and negotiate contracts, to ensure these are in the best interests of the MRC. The post-holder will be expected to use their skills and experience to analyse and assess risks associated with proposed contracts or collaborations, under the guidance of the Head of Finance & Research Contracts. This role is a hybrid working role with hours to be covered over a period of three (3) days with a minimum of one (1) day a week on site. Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Required: Essential: A degree-level qualification in either law or business administration, or equivalent experience in commercial contract preparation and administration in an academic or research and development environment Desirable: Qualification in intellectual property law Experience (or degree) in biological sciences Previous Work Experience Required: Essential: Relevant experience in contract drafting and management Experience of working in a fast-paced environment Desirable: Contract drafting and management in a scientific environment Knowledge and Experience: Essential: Good analytical ability Understanding of intellectual property rights Experience of negotiating academic agreements Experience of working in a research or academic environment Ability to explain policies and procedures and to adapt to changing requirements Desirable: Knowledge/experience of intellectual property management Experience in negotiating research contracts incorporating research governance/ethics provision Experience of pre- and post-grant award processes in an academic environment Experience of providing guidance relating to intellectual property and research governance Experience of working in or with the public sector Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities: Essential: Very good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with staff at all levels Ability to put across difficult concepts or different points of view while retaining the confidence of senior staff Well-developed negotiating skills Good team player Organised and with an eye for detail Good time management skills and ability to juggle priorities Further Information Equality & Diversity: The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management. Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements: The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC's: Code of Conduct Equality and Diversity policy Health and Safety policy Data Protection and Security policy The above lists are not exhaustive and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC. The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council. In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs. We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.