Legal Counsel / Contracts Specialist – Deep Tech, Material Sciences & Engineering

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities for science, technology, and engineering, renowned for pioneering research, cutting-edge breakthroughs, and high-impact technology transfer. The Research Contracts Office, within the Vice Presidency for Knowledge Transfer and Corporate Relations, serves as the legal backbone of ETH’s innovation ecosystem. As part of a collaborative team of over 20 specialized legal professionals, you will work at the intersection of technology, industry, and law, supporting researchers in departments such as Material Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing.

• Independently structure, draft, and negotiate complex research agreements, multi-party consortium agreements, technology transfer agreements, material transfers (MTAs), and NDAs with global corporations, start-ups, and international consortia.
• Advise professors, project managers, and tech leads on intellectual property allocations, ownership of foreground results, background protection, software licensing, and publication rights.
• Represent ETH Zurich in negotiations with international tech companies, Swiss industrial partners, and universities.
• Collaborate with ETH transfer (patents & spin-offs), the General Counsel’s office, export control specialists, and compliance teams to design consistent legal solutions.
• Contribute to evolving contract templates, negotiation playbooks, and conduct workshops for the research community on contractual and IP best practices.

• Master’s degree in Law (MLaw / LL.M. / State Examination or equivalent).
• Background in Swiss law is an asset; international/common law background and strong tech contract expertise are also welcome.
• Ideally 3+ years of relevant experience in contract drafting, negotiation, and IP management within an international technology company, top-tier law firm, research institution, or innovation-driven corporate in-house team.
• Solid grasp of intellectual property law, licensing mechanics, and liability frameworks, with curiosity for engineering, physical sciences, and emerging deep-tech trends.
• Strong negotiation skills, pragmatic deal-maker attitude, and ability to find balanced, legally sound solutions without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Excellent command of English (spoken and written) as the primary negotiation and drafting language.
• Sound working proficiency in German (at least level B2/C1); French is a plus.
• Open, collaborative mindset, values knowledge-sharing, enjoys intellectual sparring, and approaches researchers with high service orientation and diplomacy.

• Supportive environment within an established team of 20+ lawyers where knowledge is shared and legal challenges are tackled together.
• Direct insight into cutting-edge scientific innovations before they reach the market.
• High autonomy and flexibility with hybrid/flexible working models and modern infrastructure.
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive pension schemes, public transport discounts, and access to ETH’s sports and campus facilities (ASVZ).

ETH Zurich is a world-leading university for science, technology, and engineering, recognized for pioneering research and impactful technology transfer. The university values diversity, sustainability, and an inclusive culture, promoting equality of opportunity and a climate-neutral future.

The Research Contracts Office consists of over 20 specialized legal professionals who foster an open, supportive culture of continuous learning, mutual peer sparring, and collective expertise, granting each legal counsel high autonomy in managing their strategic portfolio.