Legal Counsel

Job Description

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Join the Florey’s Legal Office in a key permanent role supporting world‑class medical research. As Legal Counsel, you will provide practical, solutions‑focused legal advice across research, commercial and governance matters, helping our researchers and professional teams deliver work with real‑world impact.

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In this role, you will review, draft and negotiate research and business‑related contracts, advise on risk mitigation, licensing, intellectual property protection and legal strategy, and support strong governance and policy compliance across the Institute. You will work closely with researchers, professional services teams, management and external partners, while also contributing to process improvement initiatives that make the contracting and legal support experience more efficient and effective.

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The Legal Office has a strong culture of collaboration and we are looking for someone who values working in a collegiate and collaborate team.

What You’ll Do Legal\n

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• Provide legal advice and support to the Legal Office, Florey researchers and professional services teams to advance the Institute’s research and strategic objectives.
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• Act as a trusted first point of contact for researchers, staff and external parties seeking legal or document review support.
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• Review, draft and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including confidentiality, consulting services, research, grant, subcontract, data licence, copyright, service, collaboration and material transfer agreements.
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• Advise on appropriate contracting pathways and help teams navigate legal, commercial and intellectual property considerations.
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• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including grants, finance and commercialisation teams, to progress matters efficiently and finalise agreements.
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• Develop positive working relationships with internal clients and external partners.
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• Promote awareness of legal and commercial issues associated with medical research and commercialisation. Assist as required with the development and delivery of training to staff and students.
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• Help improve legal processes and systems so the contracting process is clear, consistent and user‑friendly from end to end.
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• Support the wider Institute on legal and intellectual property‑related matters.
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Governance/Policy Compliance\n

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• Support the Florey’s activities in relation to corporate governance & policy compliance.
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• Establish and/or update existing policies, procedures and governance processes to facilitate consistency in the institute’s approach to compliance, contractual, insurance and legal risk.
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• Support identification and management of conflicts of interest across the Institute.
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• As required, provide training and education to staff across research and professional services in respect of compliance processes and procedures.
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Other\n

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• Communicate effectively and build strong relationships with staff, stakeholders, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice.
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• Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team to reach objectives, establishing networks with other teams and professionals in your field.
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About You\n

You will be a practical and collaborative lawyer who enjoys working with diverse stakeholders and translating complex legal issues into clear, commercially sensible advice. You will bring:

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• An undergraduate degree in law and postgraduate qualifications in law.
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• 3–5 years’ experience in an in‑house or private practice role. Experience in a medical research institute is advantageous but not essential.
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• Admitted to legal practice in Victoria
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• Excellent attention to detail and time management skills
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• High level organisation and analytical skills
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• Experience drafting, reviewing and amending research contracts, such as funding agreements, material transfer agreements, collaboration agreements, research services agreements and clinical trial agreements.
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• Previous experience advising clients within the education, medical research or life sciences, medtech, pharmaceutical or health sectors.
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• Experience advising on data privacy & clinical trials.
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It would also be helpful, but is not essential, if you have:

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• Experience in a research environment.
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• In‑house experience within a research/science environment, University or Biomedical field.
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• Experience in legal process and systems management.
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• Postgraduate qualifications in law, governance or compliance.
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Applications close 9 August 2026.

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Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia. The preferred applicant for this job will be asked to consent to a police check.

Working at the Florey\n

With a 50-year history, the Florey is the largest brain research centre in the Southern Hemisphere, with teams of researchers dedicated to building knowledge on a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Learn more about ourResearch Impact.

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Our reputation for innovative research and our position as the leading brain research institute in the Southern Hemisphere attracts the best and brightest. Connected by our shared mission to improve lives through brain and mental health research, The Florey provides a dynamic and inspiring workplace where you can develop your career. We have a deep commitment to diversity and creating an inclusive workplace culture where our people can excel and thrive and support our exceptional people to make a positive impact on the local and global research community.

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Learn more about working at the Florey here .

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The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health is a medical research institutespecialising inthe brain and mind and is one of the world’s top 10 brain research centres. We employexceptionallytalented people who work to solve the greatest brain and mind challenges of our era. Ourstaffandstudents are the bedrock of our research and success, and we strive for excellence byfosteringpartnerships and empowering people. At the Florey our mission-driven culture enables ourpeople tocollaborate, thrive, learn, make ground breaking discoveries and advance humanity throughbrainand mind science.

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From a validated medical research institute in Australia

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