Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is strengthening its leadership in global clinical research. As part of this effort, we are advancing a strategic initiative designed to significantly reduce study activation timelines and enhance the experience for sponsors and investigators.
We are seeking a Legal Counsel (3–5 years’ experience) to join our Legal Services team supporting research. This is a high-impact role focused on clinical trial contracting, where you will help enable faster, high-quality agreements that bring innovative therapies to patients sooner.
About the Role
You will be part of a team of four legal professionals dedicated to clinical research and reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel (Research). Working closely with researchers, sponsors, and internal stakeholders, you will play a central role in negotiating and executing agreements for both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials.
This role is ideal for a lawyer who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, enjoys negotiating complex agreements, and is motivated by improving systems and outcomes in healthcare innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of clinical research agreements, with a focus on Clinical Trial Agreements
- Partner with research teams, administrators, and external sponsors to facilitate timely agreement execution
- Contribute to Sunnybrook’s strategic initiative by helping streamline contracting processes, promote template use, and reduce cycle times, including liaising with Sunnybrook’s Centre for Clinical Trial Support
- Provide clear, practical legal advice that balances speed, risk, and institutional priorities
- Identify legal and regulatory risks and escalate complex issues where appropriate
- Support continuous improvement of templates, playbooks, and workflows
Qualifications
- LL.B. or J.D. and member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
- 3–5 years of experience in legal practice with exposure to clinical trial or research contracting, or commercial contracting in healthcare, life sciences, or academic environments
- Strong drafting and negotiation skills
What You Bring
- A solutions-oriented mindset and ability to work efficiently under time pressure
- Strong judgment and ability to balance legal risk with operational needs
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Interest in process improvement and driving faster, smarter ways of working
- Ability to work collaboratively across legal, clinical, and administrative teams
Why Join Sunnybrook
- Be part of a leading academic health sciences centre with a global research reputation
- Play a direct role in accelerating access to cutting-edge clinical trials
- Work alongside a collegial, high-performing legal team
- Contribute to a strategic initiative with visible institutional impact