Job Description

Job Posting Title:

Contracts Advisor

Grade and Salary:

Grade 7 (37,694 - 47,389)

FTE and working pattern

: 1 FTE : 35 hours weekly based in Edinburgh campus. Hybrid working is possible.

Holiday Entitlement:

33 days, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Organisation Name:

Research Engagement

Purpose of Role:

To prepare, negotiate and conclude commercial contracts, including confidentiality agreements, studentships, research collaborations with other universities and with industry & consultancy agreements. The role will support the University's Strategy 2035 with contractual advice for both research and knowledge exchange to protect the University's intellectual property and fulfil its charitable purpose.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

To draft, negotiate and advise on research and related contracts, subcontracts, confidentiality agreements, studentships, collaboration agreements, etc. To provide commercially focussed advice on industrial sponsorship deals and contracts. To draft and review software licences, patent and knowhow licences and associated documentation. To provide general intellectual property advice to academic and professional services colleagues. To provide general contractual advice to support other directorates within the university, eg Enterprise, Finance, Estates & Facilities, Governance & Legal Services, etc To assist the Head of Legal and Senior Contracts Adviser on a variety of contractual matters as required. To undertake any other duties required from time to time by the Head of Legal or the Director of Research Engagement.

Education, Qualifications & Experience:

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made:

Essential

Educated to first degree level in law (LLB) or business with relevant legal content Experience of working within Higher Education or a similar environment Proven relevant experience in commercial contracts which will have been acquired over a number of years, with a basic understanding of the relevant theory Good knowledge and understanding of intellectual property rights Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment Demonstrable strong ethical standards with a commitment to being present and engaged in the workplace Ability to work professionally and effectively both independently and as part of a team

Desirable

Professional Qualification or membership of Professional body (Law Society) Understanding of the different aspects of commercialisation in a university context Experience of using Worktribe

About our School/Directorate and Team:

The Research Engagement Directorate consists of three linked divisions : Research Development, Legal and Policy Strategy & Impact - spanning the breadth of research engagement from supporting researchers with the development of research proposals and bids, to collaborating with industry on research & development, as well as knowledge exchange projects, and public engagement


The Legal division's mission is to protect the interests of the University in its research and knowledge exchange activities, and support its Excelling in Research & Enterprise strategy.

How to Apply:

Applications can be submitted up to midnightaEUR(UK time)aEURon

Tuesday, 11th November 2025

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system your Full CV and cover letter

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.


Heriot-WattaEURUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.


Heriot-WattaEURUniversity values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our websiteaEURhttps://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htmaEURand also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science CareersaEURhttps://disc.hw.ac.uk/


We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.


Use our total rewards calculator:aEURhttps://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htmaEURto see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.