Legal Counsel

The Francis Crick Institute; Greater London; On-site; GBP 69,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Francis Crick Institute is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice across scientific and operational teams. You will draft, review and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including contracts, research collaborations, funding and IP/data matters, while supporting strategic partnerships and initiatives.

You will join a collaborative Legal & Governance team, building trusted relationships and helping improve processes with technology-enabled approaches

Qualifications

• Solicitor or barrister admitted in England & Wales with current practising certificate and at least three years’ post-qualification experience.
• General commercial contracting experience, ideally in science or technology, with understanding of charity biomedical contexts.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills with ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience with matter management systems and using technology to improve approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to scientific and operational teams across the Crick.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of agreements including commercial contracts, research collaborations, funding arrangements and IP/data agreements.
• Support scientific projects, strategic partnerships and commercial initiatives.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders and translate complex legal matters into clear advice.
• Improve legal processes, systems and ways of working.
• Share knowledge, support junior colleagues and contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture.

Skills

Commercial contracting

Stakeholder management

Legal drafting

Commercial awareness

Education

Solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Salary for this Role:

Salary from £77,000 per annum plus benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title:

Legal Counsel

Reports to:

Natasha Bowyer Irvine

Closing Date:

13/Nov/2026 23.59 GMT

Job Description:

Legal Counsel – Job Advert

Reporting to: Natasha Bowyer Irvine, Senior Legal Counsel

Department: Legal & Governance

Contract term: This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Salary for this Role: starting salary £77,000 per annum with benefits, subject to skills and experience

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

Looking for a legal role where your work goes beyond the ordinary? Join the Francis Crick Institute as Legal Counsel and put your legal expertise at the heart of world-leading biomedical research and innovation.

From pioneering research collaborations and strategic partnerships to cutting-edge technology and complex commercial agreements, you will work on a fascinating variety of legal matters that help our scientists make discoveries about human health and disease.

You will join a friendly, collaborative and forward-thinking Legal & Governance team, working closely with colleagues across science and operations. Alongside providing practical legal advice, you will have the opportunity to shape how we deliver legal services, exploring new technologies, improving processes and helping us work smarter.

You do not need a background in biomedical research to make an impact here. We are looking for a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys variety, building relationships and finding creative solutions. If you are curious, collaborative and excited by the opportunity to use your legal expertise somewhere it can make a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and encourage you to apply if you meet the essential requirements.

See the full job description here.

What you will be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Providing practical, commercially focused legal advice to scientific and operational teams across the Crick.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of agreements, including commercial contracts, research collaborations, funding arrangements and agreements relating to intellectual property and data.
• Supporting exciting scientific projects, strategic partnerships and commercial initiatives.
• Building trusted relationships with stakeholders and translating complex legal matters into clear, accessible advice.
• Improving legal processes, systems and ways of working.
• Sharing knowledge, supporting junior colleagues and contributing to a positive, collaborative team culture.

About you

You will have:

(Minimum criteria *)

Essential:

• A solicitor or barrister admitted in England & Wales (or another common law jurisdiction), with a current practising certificate and at least three years’ post-qualification experience or demonstrable equivalent experience.*
• General commercial contracting experience, ideally in science or technology, and a sound understanding of the legal and regulatory context of a charitable biomedical research institute.*
• Excellent communication and legal drafting skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and effectively.*
• Experience of alternative legal service models, matter management systems and using technology to challenge existing approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, self‑awareness and the ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and experience supporting junior colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A commitment to the Crick's vision and core values.

Desirable:

• Experience advising on data protection matters and negotiating related agreements.
• Experience working both in-house and in private practice.
• Specialist knowledge of intellectual property, corporate law, charity law, research or philanthropy.
• A combination of transactional and advisory legal experience.

About Working at the Crick

Our values

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We're not afraid to do things different.

• We are open. We're highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.

• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. Weare a Disability Confident: Committed employer andwant to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and sowe’llmake reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you needassistancewith applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post)please email: