Legal Counsel / Contracts Specialist for ETH Zurich | Space

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public transport tickets

Car-sharing schemes

Sports activities organized by ASVZ

Childcare assistance

Pension schemes

Job summary

ETH Zurich Space seeks a Legal Counsel/Contracts Specialist to manage space research contracts and advise researchers on complex legal matters.

You will negotiate international agreements and ensure compliance around export controls, IP and liability, collaborating with a team of legal professionals and external partners in a dynamic, international environment.

Qualifications

• University degree in law (or equivalent legal qualification).
• At least 5 years of professional experience in international contract law or research management.
• Knowledge of Swiss and international contract law with IP/tech transfer exposure.
• Familiarity with space law and export controls (ITAR/EAR) is advantageous.
• Fluent German and English; business-level English is essential.

Responsibilities

• Independently review, draft and negotiate complex national and international research and development contracts.
• Manage projects with international space agencies and industry partners (ESA, NASA, JPL).
• Advise researchers on legal issues related to international collaborations, IP, liability risks.
• Provide guidance on export controls and dual-use goods in collaboration with compliance units.
• Develop and improve contract templates and standard processes for space and research projects.
• Collaborate with ETH transfer, compliance units and other stakeholders.

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Legal Counsel / Contracts Specialist for ETH Zurich Space

100%, Zurich, permanent

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities in the fields of science and engineering. Through its strategic initiative, ETH Zurich Space is systematically expanding its activities in space research and technology. A unique environment for innovation is being created through the recruitment of high‑calibre researchers of international standing and the expansion of collaborations with leading partners from academia, space agencies and industry.

Within the Vice‑Presidency for Knowledge Transfer and Corporate Relations, the Research Contracts Group supports researchers in ensuring that their projects with national and international partners are built on a solid legal foundation.

To strengthen our team, we are seeking, with immediate effect or by agreement, a committed, solution‑oriented and strong negotiator to take on the role of Legal Counsel for ETH Zurich Space.

Job description

Your role at the interface between space research and law

In this role, you will be the key legal point of contact for the research activities of ETH Zurich Space and ETH Swiss GeoLab. You will be part of a strong team of around 20 legal professionals in the Research Contracts Group, where you will benefit from their broad expertise and mutual exchange of ideas. Your personal focus will be on independently managing the space‑related portfolio. Against the backdrop of a steadily growing number of collaborations, you will facilitate and promote the conclusion of contracts between ETH researchers and space‑related organisations – ranging from industrial companies and start‑ups to international space agencies, as well as academic and public institutions. You will advise researchers and management on the drafting and negotiation of complex research contracts and help to ensure that innovative research projects are implemented in a legally sound and efficient manner. This encompasses both traditional space technologies (e.g. hardware) and Earth observation, the processing of geo‑information and the use of space data on Earth. In doing so, you also act as a bridge to Swiss stakeholders in government bodies and the business sector.

You will support scientists with their projects from the initial idea for collaboration right through to the conclusion of a contract and lay the legal foundations for world‑class international research in a highly dynamic environment.

Your key responsibilities

• You will independently review, draft and negotiate complex national and international research and development contracts, in particular Research Collaboration Agreements, Consortium Agreements, Non‑Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and other research and cooperation agreements.
• You will manage projects with international space agencies, research institutions and industry partners, particularly within the context of the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and other international space and research partners.
• You will advise researchers and project managers on legal issues relating to international research collaborations, intellectual property, liability matters and other contractual risks.
• You will provide support on matters relating to export controls and dual‑use goods, working closely with the relevant compliance units at ETH Zurich.
• You will provide proactive and solution‑oriented advice to researchers and project managers throughout the entire project lifecycle – from project initiation to successful completion.
• You will further develop contract templates, guidelines and standard processes for the efficient and legally compliant management of space and research projects.
• You will work closely with ETH transfer, compliance units and other internal and external stakeholders.
• You will make a significant contribution to ensuring that international research collaborations are legally sound, whilst at the same time safeguarding the research community’s ability to act.

Profile

• Education: You hold a university degree in law (or equivalent legal qualification) combined with a strong understanding of technical contexts.
• Experience: You have at least 5 years’ relevant professional experience in international contract law or research management – ideally gained in an international organisation, a company in the tech/space sector, a space‑related authority or at a university. Experience with contracts from space agencies (e.g. ESA) or space companies is a strong advantage.
• Expertise: You have in‑depth knowledge of Swiss and international contract law. Experience in intellectual property law, technology transfer or research law is an advantage.
• Space law: Knowledge of international space law, regulatory issues relating to the space sector, and the science policy context of international research collaborations would be an advantage.
• Export control & regulation: Experience in export control law (particularly ITAR/EAR), in dealing with dual‑use goods or in comparable regulatory environments is particularly welcome. Knowledge of ESA or NASA‑related regulatory frameworks is an additional advantage.
• Skills: You possess excellent analytical and conceptual skills, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to address legal risks in a pragmatic and solution‑oriented manner.
• Languages: You communicate and negotiate fluently in German and English (both spoken and written). Business‑level English is essential.
• Mindset & working style: You are characterised by a strong service orientation and a pragmatic, solution‑oriented approach to your work. You are a talented communicator and are confident in your interactions with researchers, industry representatives and regulatory authorities.

We offer

• The opportunity to play an active role in shaping the establishment and further development of ETH Zurich Space
• An exciting international working environment at the interface of research, technology and innovation
• The chance to collaborate with leading researchers and renowned partner organisations worldwide
• Challenging and varied tasks with a high degree of personal responsibility and creative freedom
• Flexible working arrangements and attractive terms of employment at ETH Zurich
• Benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car‑sharing schemes, a wide range of sports activities organised by the ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension schemes

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture.

We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected.

Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate‑neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting‑edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.