Counsel - Transactions (Research and Intellectual Property)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking an early-career Counsel for Research Transactions and IP to support its research enterprise by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating research agreements, MTAs, data use agreements, and CDAs under senior supervision.

You will work with investigators and technology transfer teams to address IP ownership, licensing terms, and data protection, while ensuring compliance with healthcare and research regulations.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• License to practice law in Ohio.
• 2+ years of legal practice experience.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate routine and moderately complex research agreements (Sponsored research, MTAs, CDAs).
• Identify and analyze IP-related issues for senior review.
• Support IP and technology transfer teams on licensing and background IP matters.
• Conduct regulatory and data privacy analyses related to research collaborations.
• Explain contract terms to investigators and research administrators; participate in cross-functional meetings.

Skills

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Regulatory analysis

Data privacy

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Position Summary

The Counsel for Research Transactions and IP supports the organization’s research enterprise by providing legal review, drafting, and negotiation assistance for a broad range of research-\u2011related agreements. This role also includes foundational intellectual property (IP) exposure, allowing the attorney to support research and innovation activities while developing expertise at the intersection of scientific research, IP, and healthcare regulation.

The position is designed for an early-\u2011career attorney seeking to grow in academic medical center research and technology-\u2011enabled innovation under the guidance of senior research and IP counsel.

Job Responsibilities

Research Transactions Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate routine and moderately complex research agreements, including:
  • Sponsored research agreements
  • Data use and data sharing agreements
  • Material transfer agreements (MTAs)
  • Confidential disclosure agreements (CDAs)
• Identify, analyze, and identify legal, regulatory, or IP-\u2011related issues for senior-\u2011level review.

Intellectual Property Support

• Support senior research and IP attorneys on matters involving:
  • Ownership and allocation of intellectual property in research agreements
  • Publication rights, background IP, and licensing-\u2011related contract terms
  • Confidential information, trade secrets, and data protection provisions
• Assist with review of agreements that interface with technology transfer, commercialization, and innovation initiatives.
• Partner with Innovation / Technology Transfer teams to support consistent application of institutional IP policies.

Legal Research & Regulatory Analysis

• Research and analyze issues related to:
  • Data privacy and security in research collaborations
  • Regulatory compliance affecting research and innovation.
• Prepare summaries, issue analyses, and contracting guidance for internal stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work directly with investigators, research administrators, and business leads to explain contract terms and IP-\u2011related concepts in a practical, accessible manner.
• Participate in cross-\u2011functional meetings supporting research and innovation programs.

Process Support

• Build familiarity with institutional research and IP policies, model agreements, and standard positions.
• Assist in maintaining contract templates, clause libraries, and internal guidance that integrate IP considerations.

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Juris Doctor
• 2+ years of experience practicing law
• Maintain licensure to practice law in the State of Ohio

Preferred:

• Exposure to intellectual property issues through:
  • Law firm practice, clinical programs, or coursework
  • Research, healthcare, or technology-\u2011focused clients
• Familiarity with academic research or technology commercialization environments
• Contract drafting and negotiation specifically in healthcare, life sciences, or research-\u2011related matters
• Demonstrated interest in developing a practice in research, innovation, and IP-\u2011adjacent healthcare law
• Strong legal writing, analytical, and organizational skills