Assistant/Associate General Counsel, Research

PAY GRADE: 35E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

Office of General Counsel (“OGC”) attorneys have wide-ranging practices and must handle multiple, unrelated matters concurrently. All attorneys must be able to complete complex projects both independently and with direction from the General Counsel. Reporting into the Vice President and General Counsel, the Assistant/Associate General Counsel must be able to prioritize multiple competing priorities and communicate effectively with colleagues and clients. Experience working in an in-house environment, especially within higher education, will be strongly considered. The Assistant/Associate General Counsel will be expected to handle matters and transactions from beginning to end with minimal supervision, participate in team-wide process improvement initiatives, and provide advice and guidance on complex legal matters to the University leadership and departments.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide legal advice and support in connection with research administration and compliance, and matters involving University of Delaware’s intellectual property development and licensing.
• Work in conjunction with The Office of the Vice President for Research to help ensure compliance with laws, and University of Delaware policies and guidelines in the performance of academic research.
• Advise and support sponsored research, technology transfer, industry collaboration, material transfer agreements, licenses, export control, conflicts of interest, international research, “foreign influence,” and research security.
• Provide counsel on research safety; regulatory compliance; public ethics; intellectual property; procurement; health services transactions; and other matters for academic and operational units.
• Advise principal investigators, research teams, and senior leadership regarding a variety of regulatory matters, such as federal funding agency (NIH, NSF, DoD) policies and compliance.
• Support the research contracts and grants office on contracts, research compliance matters, and FOIA responses.
• Assist clients with developing processes, documents, and templates to optimize business approaches; perform legal research involving federal and state law, advise clients on strategy; draft and negotiate agreements; and support regulatory compliance in a variety of contexts.
• Research and advise on judicial decisions and legislative developments impacting current University, college or department practices, as well as create and recommend compliance/resolution strategies.
• Work within the OGC to provide advice and counsel on a variety of other issues facing academic institutions and large employers as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited ABA law school and three years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Prior employment in a higher education setting, government, or non-profit organization and thorough understanding of legal, academic, and operational issues pertinent to research-intensive public universities preferred.
• State of Delaware law license or eligibility for licensure within twelve months of hire under an in-house limited license.
• Expertise and experience with drafting and negotiating research agreements and/or federal government contracts and advising on compliance with the terms of such agreements and related regulatory requirements.
• Background and experience with advising on the protection of intellectual property.
• Experience with sponsored programs, government contracts, and/or an institution of higher education.
• Strong research and analytical skills, coupled with sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under the pressure of frequent interruptions, conflicting demands, and changing priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, capable of effectively communicating at all levels within the University and externally.
• Strong client service orientation and skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify potential legal issues or long-term implications of policy and legal decisions.
• Capacity to thrive in a collaborative, diverse environment and work independently with a high degree of motivation.
• High ethical standards, reflecting honesty, integrity, and reliability.
• Exceptional judgment in balancing legal risks with business strategy and establishing relationships with various constituencies.
• The ability to communicate and collaborate with stakeholders to find solutions and address the risk landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others in a team.
• Familiarity with applicable privacy laws, including FERPA, GDPR, and PIPL.
• Familiarity with laws and regulations applicable to colleges and universities, including Title IX, Section 504, and FERPA.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Commitment to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.