Legal Advisor (Clinical Research)

About the role

The Legal Advisor (Clinical Research) will provide specialised legal support for Dalhousie University’s clinical research portfolio, advising on regulatory, contractual and ethical matters related to human participant research, including clinical trials.

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on contracts and agreements related to research at Dalhousie University.
• Develop, implement, and review university research policies governing the research and innovation enterprise.
• Prepare, review, and negotiate research contracts and agreements in line with university policies and sponsor requirements, addressing IP rights, overhead costs, publication rights, liabilities and indemnities.
• Assess risks, insurance coverage, regulatory compliance and resource commitments associated with proposed research agreements.
• Develop strategies to minimise risks and control costs.
• Evaluate and negotiate terms, conditions and costs of research contracts proposed by external clients.
• Ensure work proposals comply with ethical, financial and legal standards of the University and sponsors, and align with hospital and faculty policies for clinical trials.
• Support the opening of research contract accounts and coordinate with financial services to keep contracts within budget.

Required profile

• Legal qualification with experience in research contracts and clinical research matters.
• Familiarity with intellectual property, regulatory compliance and risk assessment in a university setting.

Required skills