Administration - Legal Department Manager position (Open)

Functions, among others:

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation for the DIPC, including contracts, collaboration agreements, non-disclosure agreements and other agreements with universities, research centres, companies and national and international entities.
• Providing legal support on personal data protection, including reviewing clauses, forms, procedures and contracts, and responding to internal queries.
• Advising on and reviewing intellectual and industrial property agreements, including ownership, protection and use of research results, software, publications and licences.
• Providing support on matters relating to the legal framework for foundations, the articles of association, and the operation of the DIPC’s governing bodies.
• Analysing and applying the legal framework governing research, including the Science Act, in matters related to the centre’s activities.
• Working with the Projects Department on the legal analysis of funding rules and calls for proposals, consortium agreements, and other terms and obligations associated with research projects.
• Contributing to the development and monitoring of compliance policies and procedures, including identifying compliance risks, preventing and managing conflicts of interest, and preparing internal documentation.
• Providing legal support to other departments of the centre, in coordination with external legal advisers.
• Monitoring regulatory developments relevant to the DIPC and proposing updates to internal documents and procedures.
• Managing legal matters relating to public procurement, including drafting and reviewing tender specifications, contracts and other procurement-file documents, as well as handling issues arising during procurement procedures and contract performance, in collaboration with the Public Procurement Manager.
• Tax matters relating to the foundation, research, knowledge transfer and international mobility of individuals.

The candidate will also take part in the centre’s day-to-day administrative tasks and document management.

The candidate will report to the DIPC’s Director of Administration, Human Resources and Legal Affairs.

Requirements

• Education: University degree in Law.
• Minimum experience: Three years of professional experience in legal advisory work, with demonstrable experience in drafting and reviewing contracts and agreements, and in personal data protection or intellectual and industrial property.
• Language: A demonstrable high level of spoken and written English, enabling the candidate to review, draft and negotiate legal documents and conduct professional correspondence in this language. Knowledge of Basque, both spoken and written.

Skills valued:

• Experience providing legal advice to research centres, universities, foundations or other public-sector entities.
• Postgraduate or specialist training in data protection, intellectual and industrial property, compliance, public procurement or research law.
• Experience and knowledge in personal data protection, particularly the GDPR and Spain’s Organic Law on Personal Data Protection and Guarantee of Digital Rights (LOPDGDD).
• Experience and knowledge in intellectual and industrial property and in agreements relating to research results and knowledge transfer.
• Experience drafting and negotiating international contracts and agreements.
• Knowledge of the legal framework governing foundations and their governing bodies.
• Knowledge of the Science Act and the regulatory framework applicable to research activities.
• Experience in the legal analysis of funding schemes, grants and research projects, including consortium agreements.
• Experience developing and monitoring compliance policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Spain’s Public Procurement Contracts Act and experience in public procurement.
• Proficiency in office software and document management tools.

Personal requirements:

• Ability to analyse legal issues and formulate clear, practical proposals.
• Autonomy, initiative, and the ability to organise work and set priorities.
• Meticulousness in drafting and reviewing documents, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with different departments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with research staff, department heads, partner institutions, funding bodies and external legal advisers.
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential information.
• Willingness to undertake a range of tasks involving different functions and levels of responsibility.
• Availability to start immediately.

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
• Target start date: 2026/11/16

We provide a highly stimulating research environment, and unique professional career development opportunities.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

DIPC is a research center whose mission is to perform and catalyze cutting-edge research in physics and related disciplines, as well as to convey scientific culture to society. Located in Donostia / San Sebastian (Basque Country, Spain), DIPC was born from a strategic alliance of both public institutions and private companies. Since 2008 DIPC is a 'Basque Excellence Research Center' (BERC) recognized by the Basque Government's Department of Education. In 2019, DIPC was also recognized as a "Severo Ochoa" Excellence Center by the Spanish Research Agency.

Joining a Research Centre of international relevance.

Full-time permanent contract with approximate start date 16 November 2026.

Those interested should send a curriculum vitae and cover letter to the e-mail address jobs@dipc.org before 12 November 2026.

• Reference: Legal Department Manager position
• Application deadline: 2026/11/11
• Application email: jobs@dipc.org

Applications will be evaluated by a Committee appointed by the Director of the DIPC according to the following criteria (with the weighting in percentage of the final score indicated in brackets):

• CV of the candidate (50%)
• Cover letter (10%)
• Personal interview (40%)

In order to pass to the personal interview phase, it will be necessary to obtain a minimum of 40 out of 60 in the evaluation of the CV and cover letter. Likewise, those profiles that, in the committee's opinion, do not meet any of the requirements for the job position will not be evaluated.

The final resolution of the selection process will be published on the DIPC website as soon as possible.