Legal Counsel / Contracts Specialist for ETH Zurich | Space

ETH Zurich seeks a Legal Counsel to manage space-related research contracts, advising on international collaborations, IP, and compliance within a specialized legal team.

This position serves as the primary legal advisor for ETH Zurich│Space and the ETH Swiss GeoLab. The incumbent will independently oversee a portfolio of space-focused projects, acting as a liaison between the university, government bodies, and industry partners while ensuring all research activities remain legally compliant.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex national and international research and development agreements.
• Manage projects involving international space agencies, academic institutions, and commercial partners.
• Advise researchers and project managers on legal risks, including intellectual property, liability, and international collaboration frameworks.
• Provide guidance on export control regulations and dual-use goods compliance.
• Develop and refine contract templates, guidelines, and standard processes to ensure efficient and compliant project management.
• Collaborate with ETH transfer offices, compliance units, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure international research partnerships are legally robust while preserving the research community's operational freedom.

Requirements

• A university degree in law or an equivalent legal qualification, paired with a strong grasp of technical contexts.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in international contract law or research management.
• Deep knowledge of Swiss and international contract law principles.
• Strong analytical and conceptual problem-solving abilities.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Fluent proficiency in both German and English, with excellent written and spoken communication capabilities.

Nice to have

• Prior experience with contracts from space agencies (such as ESA) or space industry companies.
• Background in intellectual property law, technology transfer, or research law.
• Understanding of international space law, sector-specific regulatory issues, and the science policy landscape.
• Experience with export control laws, particularly ITAR/EAR, or dealing with dual-use goods.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks related to ESA or NASA.

What the company offers

• Public transport season tickets and access to car-sharing programs.
• A wide variety of sports activities organized by the ASVZ.
• Childcare support services.
• Competitive pension schemes.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Attractive employment terms at ETH Zurich.

About the company

ETH Zurich│Space operates at the intersection of research, technology, and innovation, offering an exciting international working environment. The organization provides the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers and renowned partner organizations worldwide, allowing employees to shape the development of the space initiative with significant personal responsibility and creative freedom.

• Active role in establishing and developing ETH Zurich│Space.
• International working environment at the interface of research, technology, and innovation.
• Collaboration with leading researchers and renowned partner organizations worldwide.
• Challenging and varied tasks with a high degree of personal responsibility and creative freedom.