Lawyer (MDHS)

University of Melbourne; Parkville; On-site; AUD 125,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Flexible work arrangements

Career development

Job summary

The University of Melbourne is seeking an experienced lawyer to provide high-quality advice on complex health, research and commercial matters within the MDHS and MRE teams. You will partner with senior stakeholders to shape strategic decisions and manage legal risk.

Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating research, technology, licensing and collaboration agreements, building cross-disciplinary relationships, and driving efficient legal service delivery.

Qualifications

• Must hold a law degree with at least two years’ PQE.
• Current Victorian Practising Certificate required.
• Experience in commercial contracts and in research, clinical trials, IP or digital health is desirable.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills with practical, solution-oriented advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice on complex health, research and commercial matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate diverse commercial agreements including research, technology, licensing and collaboration arrangements.
• Build strong partnerships with MDHS and MRE stakeholders to enable early legal input into initiatives.
• Support Legal and Risk projects and drive process improvements in service delivery.
• Manage routine and complex matters independently while collaborating with colleagues across the MDHS cluster and Legal and Risk team.

Skills

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Commercial contracts

Stakeholder management

Education

Law degree

Victorian Practising Certificate

Job description

Role type: Full-time; Continuing
Department: Legal and Risk, COO Portfolio
Salary: UOM 8 - $125,191 - $135,504 p.a. plus 17% super

• Advise on complex health, research and commercial law matters / partner with Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) and Melbourne Research and Enterprise (MRE) leaders / grow versatile in-house legal expertise

• Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity:

You will provide high-quality legal advice on complex health, research and commercial matters across MDHS and MRE. You will work as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, shaping strategic decisions and managing legal risk.

What you will deliver:

• Provide clear, solution-focused legal advice on areas including research, clinical trials, IP, employment, regulation and student placements.

• Draft, review and negotiate diverse commercial agreements, including research, technology, licensing and collaboration arrangements.

• Build strong partnerships with MDHS and MRE stakeholders, enabling early legal input into key initiatives.

• Support Legal and Risk projects, driving process improvements and consistent, efficient legal service delivery.

• Manage routine and complex matters independently while collaborating closely with colleagues across the MDHS cluster and the Legal and Risk team.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a law degree, at least two years’ PQE and a current Victorian Practising Certificate.

• Bring experience in commercial contracts and one or more of research, clinical trials, IP or digital health.

• Demonstrate strong drafting, analytical and negotiation skills, with a focus on practical, solution-oriented advice.

• Manage competing priorities and ambiguity while exercising sound judgment about when to elevate or seek guidance.

• Build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders and contribute positively to a collaborative, high-performing team.

• Maintain high ethical standards, professionalism and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive or complex legal matters.

What we offer you!

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being

• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning

• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balanceand well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave

• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company

• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team:

Legal Services is the University’s in-house legal team providing strategic legal support across teaching, research and operations. You will join the MDHS cluster, working closely with leaders in medicine, dentistry, health sciences and research. The team champions Service Excellence, One Team and University First, fostering collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation.

The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians.

Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [e-mail]

Application essentials:

• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Alex Maschmedt at [e-mail]

• For questions related to our recruitment process email Ethan Khamly at [e-mail]

• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on [phone] or at [e-mail] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Applications Close:

Sunday 25th October 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.

Application Document:

Template CV - UOM8 Lawyer (MDHS)- 2026.docx

Position Description:

JR-018932 Lawyer (MDHS) PD.pdf

JR-018932 Lawyer (MDHS) PD.docx