Research Legal Counsel - Limited Term

Job Summary: The Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation is the central administrative support unit at Ontario Tech University, administering more than $26M annually in external research funding. The University is ranked as Canada’s Research University of the Year, as designated by Research Infosource for the second consecutive year. The Research Legal Counsel position is vital to the research enterprise overseeing research legal matters for the University and advising researchers and the team within the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, including the Office of Research Services, Brilliant Catalyst, Automotive Centre of Excellence and Brilliant Energy Institute. Nature of Work: The Research Legal Counsel position is specifically located within the Office of Research Services and reports directly to the Executive Director. The Research Legal Counsel position is responsible for managing a small team of contracts officers and liaising, as appropriate, with the Office of General Counsel and other administrative units on campus. In addition, the position is responsible for providing effective and timely legal advice, direction and representation on legal matters related to research, intellectual property, privacy, technology transfer and contracts for members of the University research community. Flexibility, professionalism, and a team approach are necessary to work effectively with the University community and external stakeholders to advance research opportunities and to maximize research funding. Responsibilities/Accountabilities: Reviewing and providing legal and policy advice on a variety of issues including the drafting and reviewing of a variety of research agreements, including research grants, non-disclosure agreements, licenses and assignments for intellectual property, privacy agreements, research procurement agreements, industry collaboration agreements, and other agreements into which the University proposes to enter for research and other related purposes Negotiating legal aspects of research agreements and general contract matters Identifying, assessing and using creative problem solving to mitigate, legal risk to the University, as it relates to research and other general matters Analyzing, reviewing and advising on internal disputes and/or disputes with third party sponsors Reviewing and developing research agreement templates and research policies and procedures in accordance with all applicable policies, practices, legislation, institutional risk thresholds and other related guidelines, when no acceptable template or precedent exists Delivering educational sessions and providing recommendations and advice to internal stakeholders on a variety of legal matters including intellectual property issues, risk mitigation, compliance with University policies and procedures, privacy, compliance with applicable provincial and federal laws and regulations, and other legal topics Retaining and liaising with external counsel, as required Providing functional advice to the Executive Director of Research Services and the Vice-President, Research and Innovation Preparing internal communications to summarize material rights and obligations within research agreements Managing and mentoring a team of contracts officers Working with the Office of Research Services team to advise on new funding opportunities All other related duties as required and assigned by the Executive Director, Office of Research Services