Legal Counsel – Deep Tech Contracts & IP

Immigration Policy Lab; Zürich; On-site; CHF 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team culture

Deep tech exposure

Autonomy & hybrid work

Pension & campus facilities

Job summary

ETH Zurich seeks a Legal Counsel/Contracts Specialist to partner with researchers in Material Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. You will translate scientific and commercial goals into robust contracts, with emphasis on IP, licensing, and risk mitigation.

In this role you will draft, negotiate, and manage high-stakes agreements, while collaborating with ETH transfer, patent teams, and compliance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Law or equivalent.
• 3+ years in contract drafting, negotiation, and IP management.
• Background in Swiss law is a plus; international/common law welcome.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate high-stakes contracts: research agreements, consortiums, MTAs, NDAs.
• Advise on IP allocations, foreground results ownership, licensing, and publication rights.
• Represent ETH Zurich in negotiations with global industry and academia partners.
• Collaborate with internal centers of excellence, GC office, export control and compliance teams.
• Develop templates, negotiation playbooks, and run workshops for researchers.

Skills

English

German

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Education

Master's degree in Law

Job description

ETH Zurich seeks a Legal Counsel/Contracts Specialist to partner with researchers in Material Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. You will translate scientific and commercial goals into robust contracts, with emphasis on IP, licensing, and risk mitigation.

In this role you will draft, negotiate, and manage high-stakes agreements, while collaborating with ETH transfer, patent teams, and compliance.