Legal Counsel, Contracts, Research, and Innovation

The University of Saskatchewan's (USask) main campus is located in the vibrant city of Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. USask is one of the top research-intensive, medical doctoral universities in Canada, and is home to world-leading research in areas of global importance, such as water and food security and infectious diseases.

USask’s Legal Office is a community of professionals that oversees the provision of internal and external legal services to the institution and provides strategic legal consultation and support on a comprehensive range of legal issues, policies and procedures.  The Legal Office is housed in the Office of the President and offers legal services to all academic, research and support units across campus.  The Legal Office supports the entire campus.  This includes working with the Office of the Vice President Research (OVPR) to support the high-quality research and mobilizing the results of that research for external impact.

Primary Purpose: The primary purpose of this position is to provide high quality legal advice and services in relation to USask contracts, particularly research and innovation-related contracts. These services include providing legal advice and services on contract negotiation and drafting, risk management, policy development and strategic planning, and other legal advice and services required to support mandates of the OVPR and the university as a whole.  

Nature of Work: Reporting to General Counsel, Legal Counsel negotiates, reviews, drafts and advises upon contracts and recommends signing by the University Board of Governors. Legal Counsel is a primary point of contact between researchers, administrators, and sponsors for the purpose of negotiating and administering research and commercialization related agreements.   Legal Counsel may be called on to participate in institutional committees relevant to Legal Counsel’s role and to provide strategic advice on commercial and corporate considerations relating to USask’s innovation and research strategies.   In carrying out this role, Legal Counsel will be responsible to promote compliance with applicable provisions of USask collective agreements (eg. intellectual property provisions) and may be needed to provide advice on collective bargaining matters relating to the innovation, research, and commercial strategies of USask. 

The Legal Office is a collaborative and team oriented space where legal counsel will be expected to provide cross portfolio advice and consult in multiple areas of law beyond research contracts such as areas of labour and employment law and intellectual property.

The work is highly detailed and deadline driven, requiring the ability to coordinate meeting internal and external deadlines. Drawing upon expert communication and organizational skills, the position ensures that proactive, user-oriented services are delivered to a diverse constituency.

Accountabilities: 

• Protects the University’s legal interests  
• Negotiates directly and/or provides legal advice on agreements
• Protects the academic rights of researchers for intellectual property, publication, and attribution
• Provides legal advice to OVPR staff and University leadership respecting contracts and general legal questions
• Advises faculty researchers on research contract proposals
• Educates university personnel on legal matters
• Participates in the clinical trial process
• Develops legal instruments and various forms of contracts including license agreements, research contracts, confidential disclosure agreements, and material transfer agreements
• Manages, participates, and engages in projects as assigned by General Counsel
• Works collaboratively with OVPR staff towards supporting quality research and mobilizing the results of that research for external impact.
• Promotes compliance with the University’s legal responsibilities, policies and collective agreements and provides strategic legal advice where required on collective bargaining matters.
• Provides legal advice and consultation in other areas of law beyond research contracts as part of the university legal office team.

Qualifications

Education: The Legal Counsel must hold a qualified law degree (JD, LL.B.), and be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. 

Experience: This role requires a minimum of three years’ experience in related areas of practice, along with proven negotiation skills and experience in arranging and concluding complex legal arrangement among multiple parties.  Experience in clinical trial work is an asset.

Skills: The successful candidate must be a multi-tasker who understands priorities and has proven problem-solving abilities; is creative, personable and versatile; demonstrates an aptitude for working in a team-oriented atmosphere; possesses strong verbal and written communication skills, exemplary interpersonal skills, and exhibits strong attention to detail; possesses exceptional relationship building skills; is able to work independently and possesses a high standard of professional integrity in handling sensitive information.

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Erin Kornaga at [email protected]. 

Department: Legal Office
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $85,555.00 - 142,503.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3
Posted Date: 5/17/2024
Closing Date: 5/23/2024 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus