Space Research Contracts Counsel

ETH Zürich; Zürich; Vor Ort; CHF 140.000 - 210.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

International environment

Flexible work arrangements

Public transport benefits

Pension scheme

Zusammenfassung

ETH Zurich │ Space seeks a proactive Legal Counsel to negotiate and manage complex research contracts shaping international collaborations in space research and technology.

You will advise on IP, liability, export controls, and regulatory matters, coordinating with researchers and ETH Zurich’s compliance units to ensure legally sound and efficient project execution.

Qualifikationen

• University degree in law with strong understanding of technical contexts.
• At least 5 years’ international contract law experience in international settings.
• In-depth knowledge of Swiss and international contract law, IP, and technology transfer advantageous.
• Fluency in German and English; business-level English essential.

Aufgaben

• Independently review, draft and negotiate complex national and international research contracts (e.g. Research Collaboration, Consortium, NDAs).
• Manage projects with ESA, NASA, JPL and other international partners.
• Advise researchers and project managers on legal issues, IP, liability and contractual risk.
• Provide guidance on export controls and dual-use goods in collaboration with compliance units.
• Develop templates, guidelines and processes for efficient, compliant space contracts.
• Collaborate with ETH transfer, compliance and other stakeholders to enable impactful research.

Kenntnisse

Negotiation skills

Contract law expertise

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder communication

Ausbildung

Law degree or equivalent

Jobbeschreibung

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.

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

We are looking for someone who can quickly grasp complex issues, develop pragmatic solutions and takes pleasure in supporting researchers in a world-class international research environment.

• 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.

By drafting clear and balanced contractual provisions, you lay the foundations for successful international collaborations. You can manage a demanding portfolio independently and conduct complex contract negotiations efficiently and in a goal-oriented manner.

If, in addition, you have an interest in the space sector, cutting-edge technology and international research collaborations, and are passionate about scientific innovation, you are ideally suited for this role.

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

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV
• Employment references and diplomas

Further information about ETH's Research Contracts Group and on ETH Zurich │ Space can be found on our website. Questions may be addressed to Andreas Klöti, Head Research Contracts Group, [e-mail] (no applications).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

For recruitment services the GTC of ETH Zurich apply.