Legal Expert in Health Innovation & Data Governance (f/m/d)

Job title: Legal Expert in Health Innovation & Data Governance (f/m/d)

Job location: The Central Executive Management Office of BBMRI-ERIC in Graz, Austria (or exceptionally remote work)

Job purpose: As Legal Expert in Health Innovation & Data Governance, your expertise and motivation will make you a core member of the Department for Ethical, Legal & Societal Implications (ELSI) Services & Research. You will work at the centre of European health research, translating the GDPR, the European Health Data Space, the AI Act and the MDR/IVDR into workable governance that let biobanks, researchers and innovators share health data and samples lawfully across borders. You will help shape the future of our Research Infrastructure in Health and Life Sciences towards One Health, digitalization and global perspectives as overarching paradigms in line with BBMRI-ERIC’s 10-Year Roadmap 2025-2035 , which is currently implemented through BBMRI-ERIC’s Work Programme 2025-2027.

Contract: As work-life balance is a high priority at BBMRI-ERIC less than a full-time contract (40 hours/week) can be agreed (e.g. ~85%); also in conjunction with co-affiliation at a University.

Who we are:

BBMRI-ERIC is the European Research Infrastructure for biobanking and biomolecular resources established in 2013 under EU legislation. BBMRI-ERIC enables the development of innovative technology and processes as a cross-domain network that facilitates responsible access to high quality samples, data and biomolecular resources. We achieve this through multidisciplinary expertise and service provision, scientific excellence, knowledge exchange and partnerships in health and life sciences. BBMRI-ERIC’s vision is simplified as: “Biobanking for a Healthier World”. Its headquarters are in Graz, Austria.

BBMRI‐ERIC is an inclusive, equal‐opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation. Further information on the vision, mission, governance, and statutes of BBMRI‐ERIC can be found at www.bbmri-eric.eu.

Key Responsibilities:

• “Sharp legal eye” is central to this role, therefore you will draft, review and negotiate the instruments that underpin cross-border health research i.e. data transfer, material transfer, data access and processing, joint-controllership, and consortium agreements etc.
• With your profound legal knowledge and expertise you assess data access conditions, data management policies and data governance models against the GDPR and national law, advising on legal basis for secondary use, consent models, pseudonymisation and DPIAs;
• You prepare BBMRI-ERIC and its Nodes for the European Health Data Space (Regulation (EU) 2025/327) in particular with data holder duties, access frameworks, secure processing environments and opt-out mechanisms;
• With a high degree of personal responsibility, you work on demanding challenges like implementation of GDPR, the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and the participation and further development of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC);
• You advise where the AI Act and the MDR/IVDR meet health research and innovation, in particular focusing on conformity assesment and you follow EU regulatory developments and revisions;
• Building and maintaining scientific relationships is supported by your clearly structured forms of communication and inspired by your legal expertise;
• With your legal understanding, you not only liaise easily with external stakeholders but also work and grow within an ELSI team of interdisciplinary experts from the field of social sciences, life sciences, philosophy, bioethics and law.

In this role your required qualifications and skills are:

• University degree in law (Master, LL.M., Magister/Diplom or equivalent);
• PhD or an additional qualification in health law, data protection or bioethics would be an advantage;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in health law with special focus on health data, research and development in life sciences and at least 3 years of experience in the scientific management of interdisciplinary and international projects (particularly Horizon Europe projects); previous involvement in leading and/or coordinating teams is considered an advantage;
• Practical experience in drafting and negotiating various contracts and agreements e.g. DTAs, MTAs, DPAs and CAs etc.;
• Advanced knowledge of GDPR in the sensitive health data domain, including informed consent, secondary use and data sharing (within the EU but also across the globe) and Ethics committees;
• Working knowledge of the European Health Data Space, and of the AI Act and MDR/IVDR at the intersection with health research and innovation;
• Good understanding of the EU-landscape of EU Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) is an advantage
• Ability to follow EU regulatory developments and to translate them into practical advice for a non-legal audience;
• Knowledge of the Biotech Act and the Clinical Trials Regulation is an advantage;
• Sound knowledge of project management, and the ability to monitor legal and financial obligations and tasks with ease;
• Presentation and moderation skills at EU and/or global level;
• Independent and self-driven working style, with communication and organizational skills that bring teamwork to life;
• Professional fluency in English, as English is the official working language of BBMRI-ERIC;
• Ability to deal with challenges in a diplomatic manner;
• Readiness for moderate travel.

If this role interests you and you bring a strong combination of relevant qualifications, skills, and professional experience, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every requirement listed above. We value diverse backgrounds and perspectives and assess each application holistically, recognizing the unique strengths and contributions that every candidate can bring to our team.

Employment terms and conditions

As we aim to provide a diverse work environment, the work can be performed at the headquarters in Graz with occasional telework options or exceptionally remotely.

The employment follows the Austrian employment law.

What we offer

A minimum annual gross salary of €80,000.00 (based on 40hours/week) will be offered, aligned with European and international standards for comparable roles and responsibilities. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

A unique opportunity to work at the center of a European‑level organisation, the role carries significant responsibility and visibility, all within an international, diverse, and intellectually stimulating environment that supports professional development and insight into European-level cooperation.

Balance your free time and your working life independently according to your own ideas: With our flexible working hours, you decide when you work outside our core working hours and you can also take advantage of occasional telework.

A multifaceted, challenging range of tasks with responsibility in a co-operative working environment with flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths, characterise your day-to-day work. Becoming part of BBMRI-ERIC enables interdisciplinary and cross-professional opportunities for collaboration across Europe and beyond.

In addition to the diversity of the various scientific disciplines, we offer a working culture in which diversity is lived and highly valued.

We secure your future: with our comprehensive fringe benefits like complementary health insurance (in addition to public insurance, ÖGK), and a private pension scheme for employments in Austria we take care of your well-being.

Located on the 6th floor of a modern building at the Medical University campus, our comfortable office sits in Graz’s biomedical community and provides an English‑speaking work environment with great networking opportunities.

When you’re not teleworking, convenient tram and bus connections make commuting easy, and a variety of restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores are within walking distance.

To learn more about working at BBMRI-ERIC, visit www.bbmri-eric.eu/careers.

Equal opportunities  

BBMRI-ERIC is committed to providing equal opportunities to all qualified candidates, regardless of their personal characteristics.

Application procedure

For applications to be considered, candidates must submit for their application via our online portal BambooHR:

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A letter of motivation or a video link in which you introduce yourself and your application motivation
• Supporting documents (copies of High School, University and PhD degrees, references, list of publications and project involvements, etc.)

Application deadline is 4 October 2026; anticipated start of work is as soon as possible.

In case of any questions, please contact: Ulrike Rohrer, HR Specialist (ulrike.rohrer@bbmri-eric.eu)