Description
The Department of CSM Legal in the Cumming School of Medicine is currently seeking two (2) Full-time Limited Term Junior Legal Counsel for approximately 12 months.
The legal services group at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM Legal) plays a key role in supporting researchers by ensuring research is conducted with the required legal agreements in place. Junior legal Counsel reviews and revises contracts under the direction of the Senior Legal Counsel and in collaboration with other lawyers and contracts specialists . Please see our website for more information about what we do https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/research/csm-legal/home
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Contract / Agreement Review
-
Responsible for review of research contracts including data transfer agreements, material transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, clinical trial agreements, partnership agreements, grant agreements, amendments, and sub-site agreements
-
Accountable for the contract content including interpreting content, proposing alternate language, and determining when Senior Legal Counsel need to be consulted
-
Negotiate contract clauses with external parties (such as academic institutions, government agencies and industry)
-
Draft contract clauses based on legacy agreements
-
Independently manage conflict / competing interests of faculty members / external parties
-
Interpret, revise, and finalize clinical research contracts ensuring all terms are compliant with University and AHS policies
-
Complete final review for completion ensuring all required forms, attachments, and supporting documents are include before the contract is finalized
Contract / Agreement Process
-
Independently manage and prioritize own workflow
-
Meet unit performance targets
-
Track contract progression and provide feedback to other University departments, government agencies and external parties regarding the status of a contract
-
Ensure proper certifications are in place
-
Maintain contract library and revise contract templates as required
-
Lead the drafting internal guidelines and processes for the management of agreements, as requested by the Senior Legal Counsel
-
Independently implement guidelines and processes for the management of agreements
-
Develop and provide onboarding and training to CSM legal staff
-
Utilize and update the unit contract management system and other legal databases/spreadsheets to track contract progression
-
Meet with sponsors and researchers in advance of the submission of the research contract documentation if required
-
Respond to requests from Researchers and provide information and advice on University policies and administrative processes governing research contracts
-
Identify and recommend process improvements for contract administration to the or the Senior Legal Counsel
-
Draft, lead and implement process improvements as required by Senior Legal Counsel
Qualifications / Requirements:
-
Law degree is required
-
Must be a member of the Law Society of Alberta ( if you are not called to the bar your application will NOT be considered)
-
Must have at least 2 years of experience working in areas related to contracts
-
Experience in interpreting legal contracts and relevant policies is required
-
Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to create well-constructed documents that effectively communicate to the intended audience
-
Demonstrated strong drafting skills is required
-
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while producing on-time and high-quality deliverables is required
-
Proven ability to work independently is required
-
Proven ability to work as a member of a team is required
-
Must be able to successfully and efficiently manage a project team completing high volume tasks and files is required
-
Excellent attention to detail is required
-
Strong time management skills are required
-
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are required
-
Strong and proven ability to lead and participate in process change initiatives is required
-
Advanced working knowledge of MS Office and SharePoint is an asset
- All applications should prominently indicate the date of the applicant¿s admission to the bar for the Law Society of Alberta or another law society in Canada in their cover letter or resume. Applicants not yet admitted will not be considered.
Application Deadline: September 8, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Professional/Administrative Career Band, Level P3L of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
