Division Counsel - Research

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

7d•Remote

About The Position

The Vanderbilt Health Executive Search Team is conducting a national search for a Division Counsel – Research. The Division Counsel, Research provides a broad range of legal support to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s research enterprise, with a strong emphasis on research regulatory compliance and research-related contracting. This role is responsible for delivering timely legal guidance, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of research agreements, and advising on compliance matters that impact sponsored research activities. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, an approachable adviser, and a collaborative relationship-builder who thrives in an intellectually challenging environment and demonstrates alignment with VUMC’s values.

Requirements

JD degree from an ABA accredited law school.
Employment contingent upon State of Tennessee licensure or registration and receipt of In-House Counsel Practice Certificate.
The successful candidate must also apply for and become licensed in the State of Tennessee within 12 months of employment or, if earlier, the date required under applicable rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including negotiation and ability to educate non‑legal stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with researchers, administrators, and senior leadership.
Proven commitment to confidentiality, discretion, and high ethical standards.
Ability to stay current with evolving laws, regulations, and enforcement trends.
Experience facilitating policy review, development, and institutional adoption.
Ability to effectively represent institutional interests internally and externally.

Nice To Haves

Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience related to clinical research compliance or supporting complex healthcare/life sciences clients.
Demonstrated ability to advise leadership on sophisticated, time‑sensitive research matters.
Strong experience with research-related agreements and research services agreements.
Experience with federal awards and industry-sponsored agreements.
Strong ability to identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks associated with biomedical research.
Experience within an academic medical center or research foundation.

Responsibilities

Provide legal analysis and counsel on federal and institutional research compliance rules and regulations.
Advise on compliance with terms and conditions of federal awards, including the Common Rule, PHS Policies on Research Misconduct, and federal financial conflict-of-interest regulations.
Support development, implementation, and review of internal policies related to Other Support, foreign components, research misconduct, conflict-of-interest management, and research security.
Advise the Office of Sponsored Programs on grant-related matters.
Counsel the Research Security Office, Research Compliance Office, and committees on regulatory interpretation and policy monitoring.
Provide legal support for institutional review committees including IRB, IBC, and IACUC.
Draft, review, analyze, and negotiate a broad range of research-related agreements, including clinical trial agreements, basic research agreements, IP and technology agreements, DUAs, MTAs, NDAs, federal subawards, international research agreements, and large consortium agreements.
Conduct due diligence and provide strategic guidance on ongoing research relationships and proposed collaborations.
Coordinate with and oversee outside counsel as appropriate.
Collaborate with Vanderbilt University’s Office of the General Counsel and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization.