Job Description

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there's no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that's the kind of work we want to be part of.


We are looking for a Legal Counsel to support our Licensing Business, this role will focus on reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a variety of contracts, including confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, license agreements, supply agreements and research collaboration agreements, ensuring alignment with business goals and compliance with regulatory requirements.


As a key legal partner to the business, you will provide legal advice on licensing and operational matters, working closely with Intellectual Property (IP), R&D, Business Development, and Manufacturing teams to drive successful licensing projects. Additionally, you will support the implementation of AI tools for the legal function and contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of contract templates.

Key responsibilities

Contract Negotiation & Drafting: Review, draft, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, license agreements, supply agreement, and research collaboration agreements, ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory frameworks. Legal Advisory: Provide legal guidance on commercial, regulatory, and operational aspects of licensing transactions. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with IP, R&D, Business Development, and Manufacturing teams to deliver licensing projects. Help with implementing AI-driven legal tools to improve contract management and legal workflows. Update and improve standard agreements to reflect industry standards in the CDMO and pharmaceutical sectors.

Key requirements

Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, particularly in licensing, IP, and technology-related agreements. Ability to work cross-functionally and align legal strategies with business and regulatory needs. Curious approach to understanding the commercial, technical, and strategic context behind licensing deals. Initiative in streamlining contract processes and improving templates or playbooks for licensing projects. Eagerness to learn about new technologies, business models, and industry trends relevant to licensing and innovation. Strong communication skills to build trust and act as a collaborative legal partner across departments. Curiosity about demonstrating legal tech tools to improve contract lifecycle management and partners collaboration. Law degree with 3-5 years of experience, preferably in a law firm and as in-house lawyer in a CDMO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences environment. Proficiency in English, German is a plus.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.


Every day, Lonza's products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.


People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.