Job Description

Grade UE06: 34,610 - 39,906 per annum

Corporate Services Group / Edinburgh Research Office

Full-time: 35 Hours per week

Open Ended Contract (Permanent)

We are looking for an experienced research contracts specialist to play a key role in the continued evolution of our Research Contracts team, supporting a wonderful variety of world leading research.

The Opportunity

Join our Research Contracts team at the University of Edinburgh and discover an excellent opportunity to grow your career while contributing to a vital research community. This crucial role will involve engaging directly in the negotiation and completion of legal agreements that drive forward our research initiatives.


In this role, you'll build meaningful relationships across the University's broad research environment and with professional service teams, expanding your professional network and strengthening your skills in a supportive and active setting. Join us to help maintain our commitment to high standards in research governance and compliance, while taking on challenging and rewarding work that supports the University's goals.


Please note that this is not a procurement role .

Your skills and attributes for success:

Bring relevant experience or a solid understanding of drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research contracts. Familiarity with material transfer and confidentiality agreements is advantageous Have the ability to work autonomously, with a sharp eye for detail and pragmatic problem-solving skills to address contractual challenges Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues to finalise contracts smoothly and promptly Display a strong aptitude for delivering exemplary customer service Show excellent professional communication skills, fostering effective and clear interactions

A full list of main responsibilities and the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role can be found in the full job description.



Click

here

for a copy of the full job description



Informal enquiries are welcomed, please contact Kwadwo Ohemeng-Boakye; Deputy Head of Research Contracts: kk.ohemengboakye@ed.ac.uk



This position is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to further develop a career in University professional services, in a department with a proven commitment to training and staff development. Please apply with:


a

CV

and a

cover letter

explaining how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required, and your

motivation for applying

for this post.

Edinburgh Research Office

Working in Edinburgh Research Office you will be part of a professional, supportive, and friendly team ; at the heart of University research support, working in collaboration with academics and research support professionals across the institution. The breadth of our remit means you will get an overview of research support activity while you build your skills in your specialism. Gaining new knowledge and skills to help you develop in this role and progress in your career is a priority. We offer colleagues a stimulating working environment based on our values of integrity, expertise, community, and collaboration. Our work is fast-paced and intense; you will thrive here if you are motivated, customer-orientated, and passionate about providing an excellent service to enable our researchers to do amazing work.

Directorate and Team

Candidates can read ERO About Us info on the website here About Us | Edinburgh Research Office

The Research Operations Directorate

is responsible for delivery of a high quality, integrated, user-focused and resilient service which covers applications, contracting and awards. We provide the research operations services that underpin the University Research and Innovation Strategy and associated growth plans.

The Research Contracts team

is a team of solicitors and contract specialists who work closely with the University of Edinburgh research and professional services communities, as well as with external stakeholders, to provide expert legal advice in the research contracting process.

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

A competitive salary. An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community. Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our

staff benefits page

(opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.


Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our

right to work webpages

(opens new browser tab).


The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is

11 September 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.