Research Contracts Officer

University of Bristol - Impact Development

Location:	Bristol
Salary:	£39,906 to £44,746 per annum, Grade: I
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Permanent

Placed On: 10th March 2026
Closes: 24th March 2026
Job Ref: SUPP113200

The role

The objective of the role is to provide academics with a sound and secure legal and commercial basis for their externally funded work.

Working with the Contracts Manager and Consultancy Services Manager, the successful applicant will draft research and related contracts which balance risk with commercial and intellectual benefit, and within guidelines, to negotiate and approve the terms of the contracts with external funders and partners.

What will you be doing?

Working with the Consultancy Services Manager and the Senior Contracts Manager, you will draft, negotiate and approve consultancy and non-financial confidentiality agreements, using judgement within broad guidelines, as allocated by your Line Manager.

Key elements include:

• Advising internal and external partners on the University’s consultancy services process and procedures
• Using models and templates to negotiate terms and conditions, including the price and intellectual property arrangements
• Using knowledge of law, contracts, and intellectual property to diligently review amendments to University standard templates and provide initial analysis on whether these are within the University’s usual negotiating position
• Liaising with University of Bristol professional services teams to progress contract development to timely completion
• Answering queries from academics and external parties on the progress of their consultancy projects
• Supporting the development and improvement of processes and procedures for consultancy to improve operational efficiency and quality of service provision
• Maintaining accurate records for Consultancy Services

You should apply if

You have:

• An understanding of contract structure, terminology and practice, and a commensurate knowledge of basic legal principles of contract law.
• Experience of contract drafting and negotiation in an academic, government, commercial, industrial or research- based environment.
• The ability to express complex ideas with clarity and with a clear, concise writing style.
• An interest in helping the university configure its contractual relationships with government and commercial funders.
• Clear understanding for the need and practice of customer focus and relationship development
• Good understanding and appreciation of industrial and academic cultures and environments

Additional information

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Tuesday 24th March.

For informal queries please contact: Lisa Kehoe (Head of Impact Development)

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.