Paralegal

Salary for this Role:

From £34,000 per annum plus benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title:

Reports to:

Closing Date:

Job Description:

Paralegal - Legal & Governance Team

Reporting to: Sally Fouche, Senior Contracts and Legal Operations Manager

Contract term: This is a 12 month fixed term contract position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Working Pattern: Monday-Friday; 9.00am-5.15pm – Hybrid 3 days per week in the office

Salary for this Role: From £34,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience

Application deadline: We are actively reviewing applications for this role and encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the advert may close early if a high volume of suitable applications is received.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. 

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy. 

About the role

We are looking for a motivated and organised Paralegal to join our Legal & Governance team.

This an exciting opportunity to support a world-leading biomedical research institute while gaining hands-on experience across legal operations, contract management and legal administration in a collaborative in-house legal environment.

The role would particularly suit a recent law graduate, someone currently studying towards a law qualification, or an individual working as a paralegal or legal assistant who is looking to broaden their experience within a dynamic and mission-driven organisation.

Working closely with the Legal & Governance team, you will support legal operations initiatives, help manage contracts and contribute to improving efficient ways of working across the team.

What you will be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Supporting legal operations projects, systems and process improvements.
• Assisting with drafting, reviewing and managing standard legal agreements.
• Maintaining organised contract, knowledge management and document systems.
• Supporting the development of templates, guidance documents and workflows.
• Undertaking legal research and supporting team training activities.
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and supporting day-to-day legal administration.

Click to see the full job description

About you

You will have:

(Minimum criteria *)

Essential:

• A law degree, GDL or equivalent legal work experience.*
• Experience working in a legal environment, studying law, or working as a paralegal/legal assistant.*
• Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.*
• Confidence using technology and Microsoft Office applications.*
• Strong communication and written drafting skills.*
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work collaboratively within a team.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn new skills.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting legal operations or contract management activities.
• Familiarity with legal technology tools such as SharePoint or HighQ.
• Exposure to areas such as confidentiality, data privacy, IP or research contracts.

About Working at the Crick

Our values  

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! 

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. 

• We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. 

• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. 

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: [email protected].

Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive?  

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development: 

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays. 

• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%. 

• Health & Well-being: 

• 24/7 GP consultation services. 

• Occupational health services and mental health support programs. 

• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans. 

• Work-Life Balance: 

• Back-up care for dependents. 

• Childcare support allowance. 

• Annual leave purchase options. 
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.

• Perks: 

• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. 

• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.  

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.