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Language: English (UK)
Organisation data: Legal Services
Job number: HD01723
Contract Type: Staff Member
Job Function: Administrative Officer (gr. 4-6)
Closing Date: 30 April 2020

About the team/job

We are Europe's flagship research laboratory for the life sciences - an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1700 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.

The unit "Legal Services" is located in EMBL's Headquarter in Heidelberg and has overall responsibility for all legal matters involving EMBL, both nationally as well as internationally. Given EMBL's status as an International Organisation, its operation is governed by the rules of International Public and Private Law.

EMBL offers and maintains a vibrant, cooperative, team-oriented and open working atmosphere, and Legal Services is a diverse team of different nationalities and gender.

Your role

As Legal Officer, you will be exposed to a wide variety of legal matters and be required to perform a broad range of legal work, including research, drafting, negotiations, etc. Practice areas covered by Legal Services include the following:

  • (Scientific) Cooperation agreements;
  • Research Grants & Consortia;
  • Large-scale research infrastructures and related projects;
  • Human Resources matters and Staff Disputes;
  • EMBL status/institutional matters (Privileges & Immunities, Relations with the Host Countries, etc.);
  • Relations with other international, research or commercial organisations;
  • Relations with EMBL Member States;
  • Litigation/Arbitration;
  • Commercial contracts.

Responsibilities will be set by the Head of Legal Services and focus on the following:

  • (Scientific) Cooperation agreements;
  • Research Grants & Consortia;
  • Litigation/Arbitration;
  • Commercial contracts.

Depending on qualifications and experience, it is envisaged that you will initially be trained and supervised by your supervisor to provide the necessary guidance and quality assurance. The expectation is that you should quickly be prepared to work increasingly independently, albeit in close cooperation with the supervisor and other members of the team. From time to time, you may also be required to liaise with and oversee the work of outside legal counsel. You will be supervised by and report to the Head of Legal Services.

You have

As our ideal candidate, you have an advanced university degree in law demonstrating an international focus in their academic career, and at least 3 years of professional experience. Law degrees from, and admission to the bar in, one of the EMBL's six host countries would be an asset. Your academic and professional background should demonstrate exposure to the international public sphere, preferably by working in another International Organisation, or alternatively from another organisation engaged in research.

Excellent English legal drafting skills are required and related thereto familiarity with both Common law as well as Civil law legal documents a strong asset. Legal areas to be covered and which you ideally should have a combined experience in include, EU Law, Commercial Law, Labour Law, International Public and Private Law.

You have strong analytical skills and the ability to identify problems and offer pragmatic options for solutions. You have demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. You are client-focused and - if required - can work to tight deadlines and handle a multitude of legal matters in parallel.

Excellent communication skills in English are mandatory. Proficiency in using Microsoft Office is essential.

You might also have

Working knowledge of French, German, Italian and/or Spanish - especially gained in a legal working environment - would be an asset.

Why join us

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family friendly working environment.

  • Competitive salary exempt from national taxes;
  • Comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial support for relocation and installation, including your family;
  • Excellent child care facility on campus;
  • Certified training and continued development of your professional and personal skills;
  • Flexible and friendly working environment.

What else you need to know

Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

this job offer is not open for applications