Junior Legal Counsel

Job Advert Skip to main content Cookies on NHS Jobs We've put some small files called cookies on your device to help us make improvements to our site. To improve our site we'd also like to use cookies which will send information to Google Analytics. You can read more about our cookies before you choose. Accept analytics cookies Do not accept analytics cookies Jobs Menu Sign in Create an account English Cymraeg Menu Close menu Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) BETA Your feedback will help us to improve this service. UK Health Security Agency Junior Legal Counsel The closing date is 29 October 2026 Apply for this job Job summary UKHSA's legal team sits within the Chief Operating Officer Group and plays a central role in supporting the organisation's mission to protect people from health threats. The team provides high-quality, strategic and solutions-focused legal advice across the full breadth of UKHSA's activities, working closely with operational, scientific and policy colleagues. Main duties of the job We are seeking a newly qualified solicitor to join this growing and dynamic team. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop as an in-house lawyer in a uniquely varied and impactful environment. You will gain exposure to a broad mix of legal work across UKHSA's functions, including commercial and research agreements, information governance, and public law issues, including Freedom of Information requests, coroner's inquests and public inquiries. You will have a particular focus on life sciences, information law and public health law. This will include advising on scientific research collaborations, material transfer arrangements, the lawful use and sharing of data, and the regulatory frameworks underpinning UKHSA's work, enabling you to build specialist expertise in areas that are central to UKHSA's mission and at the forefront of public health. You will be encouraged to take ownership of your work while being supported by experienced colleagues in a collaborative team environment and line managed by a Senior Legal Counsel. About us We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all. Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Details Date posted 15 October 2026 Pay scheme Other Salary £46,310 to £52,113 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working Reference number 919-JP-633002881-EXT Job locations Core HQ London E14 4PU United Kingdom Job description Job responsibilities Reporting to a Senior Legal Counsel, you will be expected to: Provide legal advice primarily in the areas of life sciences, information law and public health law; Support the Commercial, Vaccines and Countermeasures Department (CVCD) vaccine sector industry engagement programme, including the Moderna/UK Strategic Partnership; Support UKHSAs scientific teams and business development teams on contractual and regulatory matters, including a range of commercial agreements typical to the life sciences sector; Advise on data protection and freedom of information matters; Provide legal support to outbreak management activities, including the lawfulness of information sharing, and the interpretation and application of p