UK Research and Innovation
Senior In-House Lawyer (Commercial)
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UK Research & Innovation
Salary: £58,589 - £65,100 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Band: UKRI Band F
Contract Type: Open ended
Hours: Full-time (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire/Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon - Hybrid working available (Min 2 days per week in the office)
Closing Date: 9th August 2026
We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy early.
About UKRI
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is an independent, non-departmental public body, bringing together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England. UKRI works to maximise value from the UK Government’s investment in research and innovation, and its budget was £8bn in 2022.
UKRI’s mission is to lead the overall strategic direction of research and innovation funding in the UK, pushing the frontiers of human knowledge, to deliver benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research and business-led innovation. UKRI’s Legal Team is seeking to appoint a Senior In-house Lawyer (Commercial/Advisory).
This post can be based in Swindon or Harwell. Periodic travel to other UKRI locations where the Legal Team and key clients are based may also be required according to business needs. UKRI operates flexible working policies which include the opportunity to work part of the week from home.
About the UKRI Legal Team
The UKRI Legal Team delivers high quality, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of issues that support the effective operation and statutory functions of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The Team’s work is wide ranging and continues to grow in both scope and complexity. Our current commercial portfolio includes large scale projects and complex contracts, public procurement, intellectual property, property matters, company law, subsidy control, grant funding and research contracts. Lawyers working in UKRI Legal are expected to take a flexible and proactive approach, quickly developing expertise in new or unfamiliar legal areas as UKRI’s remit evolves in response to organisational and policy developments.
Role and Responsibilities
You will be an experienced lawyer with significant experience advising complex commercial matters and transactions, able to operate effectively within the statutory framework applicable to a non-departmental public body. You will work with minimal supervision and deliver clear, pragmatic, and legally robust advice across a broad range of commercial matters, with particular emphasis on commercial and contract law, grant funding and research contracts. The role also includes line management responsibility for a small team of legal professionals, supporting their development and fostering continuous professional growth.
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In particular you will have:
- Strong technical legal expertise and commercial awareness.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to influence and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- A proactive, can do’ approach, with the ability to manage and prioritise a varied and demanding workload.
- Strong attention to detail with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and effectively prioritising and managing competing demands.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
Academic Qualifications:
- A minimum of a 2:1 honour degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or demonstrable equivalent academic or professional achievement, this may include relevant experience and successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) (S).
Professional Qualifications
- Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (S).
- Substantial experience gained following qualification in commercial and contract law (S).
At interview, candidates must demonstrate and provide evidence of:
- Extensive experience of providing pragmatic, business-focused legal advice on commercial and contract law matters, including grant funding and research contracts. Experience of advising on one or more of subsidy control, public procurement or public law would be advantageous (S&I).
- Proven experience of managing, leading, developing and supporting a high performing team of legal professionals (I).
- Strong legal judgement and appreciation of legal risk (I).
- The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly (I).
- Strong analytical skills, and the ability to deliver timely, proportionate, and considered advice based on sound legal research (I).
- The ability to build strong relationships with clients and champion the work of the Legal Team (I).
- An understanding of the role of lawyers within public sector organisations and the ability to apply the governance and statutory framework within which UKRI operates (I).
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Candidates invited to interview will be asked to provide specific examples to demonstrate how they meet the above criteria.
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
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