Senior Counsel - Research & Innovation

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Counsel – Research & Innovation

Cincinnati, OH | Full-Time | Arrangement to be confirmed

If complex research deals are your sweet spot, this is a rare in-house seat: lead attorney on sponsored research, clinical trial, data, and collaboration agreements at a major academic medical center, with real autonomy and pay of $149,000–$196,000.

In collaboration with a well-regarded academic medical center with a major research enterprise, Protem Legal is hiring for a Senior Counsel – Research & Innovation.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• $149,000–$196,000 starting pay, based on experience
• Lead-attorney ownership of high-impact research transactions
• Substantial autonomy and a collegial, collaborative in-house team
• Work that advances patient care and medical discovery
• A chance to build the templates and playbooks others use

About the Role

You'll structure, draft, and negotiate the agreements behind a large research enterprise, advising faculty investigators, innovation partners, and administrators. You'll work with academic institutions, industry sponsors, foundations, and government agencies, and support the Deputy General Counsel on institutional initiatives.

What You'll Do

• Lead sponsored research, clinical trial, collaboration, and consortium agreements
• Negotiate data use, material transfer, and confidentiality agreements
• Advise on deal structures that balance compliance, IP, and risk
• Build templates, playbooks, and contracting workflows
• Train investigators and research administrators on contracting
• Advise on human subjects, NIH and federal grant rules, publication rights, and research data privacy
• Coordinate outside counsel on specialized or international deals

What We're Looking For

• J.D. and an Ohio law license
• 5+ years of legal experience, with substantial research and innovation transaction work
• Experience negotiating complex agreements in a high-volume setting
• Deep expertise in two or more of: federal sponsored research and grants, research compliance, government contracts, or academic medicine affiliation agreements

Helpful Experience

• Experience supporting biomedical, clinical, or translational research
• Familiarity with NIH funding mechanisms
• Prior in-house experience at an academic medical center or research foundation

Work Environment

This is a full-time, 40-hour, regular role based on the main campus in Cincinnati. The posting doesn't state on-site or hybrid, so we'll confirm that with you.

Compensation

$149,000–$196,000 starting pay, based on experience, skills, and equity, plus benefits.

How to Apply

Ready to lead the deals behind breakthrough research? Apply confidentially through Protem Legal. We'll contact you before anything is shared with the employer.