Job Description

Junior Legal Counsel



National Oceanography Centre, Southampton or Liverpool



Permanent



Full time (37 hours per week)



43,703 - 47,941





Who are we?



We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK's leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.



We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.



The ocean has the potential to provide the solutions to so many of the social, economic and environmental challenges we face worldwide. To truly harness the value of the ocean, we put ocean research, science and discovery at the heart of our culture.



Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.





About the role



As the Junior Legal Counsel, you will support the Legal & Governance team in providing clear, practical legal advice across NOC. You will help ensure contracts, policies and compliance processes are robust, and that legal and commercial risks are identified and managed effectively. Your work will include drafting and reviewing agreements and supporting the development and maintenance of policies and procedures. This is a varied role with scope to build experience across different areas of law while contributing to NOC's mission to deepen understanding of and harness the value of the ocean.





About you



You have a solid grounding in law and a practical approach to problem-solving. You are confident assessing legal and commercial risks and helping colleagues find clear, workable solutions. You are a clear and articulate communicator, able to explain legal issues simply and build constructive relationships across the organisation. You work with sound judgement, attention to detail and a solutions-oriented mindset, and motivated to further develop your expertise while supporting NOC in shaping the future of oceanographic research.





Why NOC?



We offer a generous set of benefits, including:


30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays

a 10% employer contribution pension scheme

access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and anonymous support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues

access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards

a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories

a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations

we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer




Location



This position can be based in Southampton or Liverpool. Our Southampton site is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points. The Liverpool centre is part of the University campus and is only a short walk from the city centre and Lime Street station.



The NOC has a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.



We can support visa applications where required. We may be able to offer financial support for applicants who will need to relocate for this position.





Submitting an application



Please click 'Apply for this job' and submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter. Please be aware that applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.



If you are unable to apply online, please contact the NOC recruitment team at careers@noc.ac.uk / 07355 676794.



Before submitting your application please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.



We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.



Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.



There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability. NOC is an Investors in People organisation.





Date advert posted: 17/09/2025



Closing date: 15/10/2025. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.



Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.