The opportunity

Universal DX is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to support its US business, including its laboratory operations in Dallas, Texas. As part of an international Legal team, you will advise on clinical research, commercial activities and corporate matters, helping the business assess risk and move decisions and agreements forward.

Reporting to the Senior Legal Manager, you will independently manage a varied portfolio of legal matters and negotiations, partnering with US business teams and European colleagues. The role requires sound judgment, practical advice and the ability to recognize when material risks or strategic decisions require escalation.

Key responsibilities

• Commercial and clinical contracting. Draft, review and negotiate clinical trial, research, collaboration, licensing, supply, distribution and services agreements, as well as confidentiality, material transfer and data-related agreements. Manage assigned negotiations through execution and advise on ongoing contractual obligations.
• Business partnering. Provide clear, commercially informed advice to Clinical, R&D, Operations, and Finance teams. Assess legal risks, develop workable solutions and support timely decisions within the Company’s approval framework.
• Corporate governance. Support US entity management. Apply knowledge of Delaware corporate law and Texas requirements relevant to the Company’s business.
• Intellectual property and data privacy. Apply life sciences IP knowledge to advise on research collaborations and commercial agreements, including ownership of inventions and results, licensing, know-how and protection of proprietary information. Support related data privacy matters, working with the DPO and specialist counsel as needed.
• Life sciences compliance. Advise on legal issues arising from clinical research, diagnostic development, laboratory operations and commercialization, working with Medical, Regulatory and Quality colleagues and external specialists as appropriate.
• Disputes and legal risk. Support the assessment and resolution of contractual disputes and pre-litigation matters.
• Legal processes and external counsel. Develop and improve templates, negotiation playbooks, approval workflows and practical guidance. Work with external counsel as agreed with the Senior Legal Manager.

Qualifications and experience

• Juris Doctor or equivalent legal qualification, with active admission in good standing to at least one US state bar and authorization to practice as in-house counsel in the applicable jurisdiction.
• Typically, 5–8 years of relevant legal experience in private practice, in-house or a combination of both. Candidates outside this range may be considered based on relevant expertise and demonstrated autonomy.
• Substantial experience advising companies in the US life sciences sector is required, including on clinical research, commercial transactions and related legal and compliance matters.
• Proven ability to independently manage legal matters and complex negotiations with limited day-to-day supervision, while exercising sound judgment on escalation.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating clinical, research and commercial agreements, including provisions on intellectual property, liability, indemnification and data rights.
• Solid knowledge of US corporate law and governance, including experience supporting Delaware corporations and maintaining corporate approvals and records.
• Working knowledge of Texas law relevant to commercial contracts and general business operations.
• Practical understanding of the US legal and compliance environment relevant to life sciences, clinical research and healthcare, with the ability to identify issues requiring specialist advice.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills; the ability to explain legal issues clearly, prioritize competing demands and build effective relationships across functions.

Preferred qualifications

• Admission to the State Bar of Texas is strongly preferred.
• Experience in diagnostics, in vitro diagnostics, medical devices or clinical laboratory services, particularly supporting operations in Texas.
• In-house experience in a growing life sciences business and experience collaborating with European teams on cross-border matters.
• Familiarity with HIPAA, healthcare fraud and abuse laws, and the FDA and CLIA frameworks relevant to diagnostics and laboratory operations.
• Experience improving contract management processes and using contract lifecycle management systems.