Home Jobs Legal counsel - Life sciences (CDD - 6 months)
Back to Jobs

Legal counsel - Life sciences (CDD - 6 months) - Job Opportunity at Owkin

Paris, France
Contract
Mid-level
Posted: June 3, 2025
On-site
EUR 55,000 - 70,000 annually for a 6-month contract (pro-rated EUR 27,500 - 35,000 for the contract period), reflecting mid-level legal counsel rates in Paris life sciences sector with specialized AI and data privacy knowledge

Benefits

Flexible work organization enabling better work-life balance and productivity optimization
Friendly and informal working environment fostering creativity and reducing workplace stress
Opportunity to work with international team providing global perspective and high-level technical exposure
Access to cutting-edge AI and life sciences technology enhancing professional development

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic legal support to data access and privacy teams, directly impacting the company's ability to leverage multimodal biological data for AI-driven drug discovery
Draft, review and negotiate critical agreements including consultancy, data access, and non-disclosure agreements under VP Legal supervision, ensuring compliant data partnerships essential for AI model development
Collaborate cross-functionally with Procurement, Marketing, Finance, People team, and Partnerships to resolve complex contract interpretations and implement scalable legal processes
Lead compliance initiatives for Transparency and Anti-Gifts regulations, protecting the company from regulatory risks in the highly regulated life sciences sector
Conduct cross-border legal compliance analysis by reviewing law firm memos and creating actionable summaries, enabling international expansion in new markets
Develop and refine legal templates, policies and processes specifically for transparency and anti-benefits issues, creating scalable frameworks for rapid company growth
Maintain comprehensive legal intelligence systems and clause libraries, building institutional knowledge for future legal operations

Requirements

Education

Academic background in French law (university degree)

Experience

Two (2) years' experience minimum as a full time legal counsel or lawyer in an international company, ideally within the tech or healthcare sector

Required Skills

Native or fluent french Fluent English (Oxford: C1 or equivalent) Autonomy, rigor, intellectual curiosity, team spirit, initiative Excellent writing skills Basic knowledge in Data privacy and transparency/anti-benefits
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The convergence of AI and life sciences is creating unprecedented demand for legal professionals who understand both data privacy regulations and pharmaceutical compliance frameworks, as companies like Owkin navigate complex regulatory landscapes while handling sensitive biological data Legal technology adoption in life sciences is accelerating, with companies requiring counsel who can draft agreements for novel AI-driven research partnerships and data sharing arrangements that didn't exist five years ago Cross-border data transfer regulations are becoming increasingly complex in the life sciences sector, particularly with GDPR, emerging AI regulations, and pharmaceutical transparency requirements creating a need for specialized legal expertise

Role Significance

Likely part of a 3-5 person legal team within a fast-growing company of 200-500 employees, working closely with data scientists, business development, and partnerships teams on critical legal infrastructure
Mid-level specialist role with significant autonomy in contract negotiation and compliance matters, reporting to VP Legal but expected to operate independently on day-to-day legal issues while building expertise in emerging AI-healthcare legal frameworks

Key Projects

Negotiating multi-million dollar data access agreements with pharmaceutical companies and research institutions Developing compliance frameworks for AI model training using patient data across multiple jurisdictions Creating legal templates for novel AI-driven drug discovery partnerships that balance innovation with regulatory compliance

Success Factors

Deep understanding of the intersection between data privacy law, pharmaceutical regulations, and AI governance frameworks, as this role sits at the convergence of multiple complex regulatory domains Ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical business processes that enable rapid scaling of AI-driven research partnerships without compromising compliance Strong cross-cultural communication skills to work effectively with international teams and navigate different legal systems as the company expands globally Proactive approach to identifying emerging regulatory trends in AI and life sciences that could impact business operations before they become compliance issues

Market Demand

High demand driven by the rapid growth of AI in healthcare and life sciences, with limited supply of legal professionals having both pharmaceutical regulatory knowledge and AI/data privacy expertise

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Data privacy expertise is absolutely essential as the role involves negotiating access to sensitive biological and patient data across multiple jurisdictions, with mistakes potentially resulting in significant regulatory penalties and loss of critical research partnerships Cross-border legal analysis capabilities are crucial given the international nature of pharmaceutical research and the need to navigate different regulatory frameworks for AI and data protection across EU, US, and other markets Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills are vital as the role involves creating entirely new types of agreements for AI-driven research partnerships that have no established precedents in traditional legal practice

Beneficial Skills

Understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA) would significantly enhance effectiveness in negotiating research partnerships and understanding the broader compliance context Technical literacy in AI and machine learning concepts would enable more effective communication with internal teams and better understanding of the legal implications of different AI methodologies Experience with intellectual property law related to AI and biotechnology would be valuable as questions of AI-generated discoveries and data-derived insights become increasingly important to the business

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to gain expertise in the intersection of AI regulation, data privacy law, and pharmaceutical compliance - a skill set that will be increasingly valuable as AI transforms healthcare
Exposure to cutting-edge legal challenges around AI model training using biological data, including novel questions about data ownership, algorithmic transparency, and cross-border data sharing in healthcare
Direct involvement in shaping legal frameworks for an emerging industry, with the potential to influence how AI-driven drug discovery is regulated and structured
Access to high-level pharmaceutical industry relationships through the company's partnerships with major players like Sanofi and Bristol Myers Squibb

Career Growth

18-24 months to senior legal counsel level given the specialized expertise gained in AI-life sciences intersection and the rapid growth trajectory of companies in this sector

Potential Next Roles

Senior Legal Counsel specializing in AI and life sciences within 2-3 years VP Legal or Chief Legal Officer at emerging biotech/AI companies In-house counsel at major pharmaceutical companies focusing on AI partnerships and digital health initiatives

Company Overview

Owkin

Owkin represents a new category of AI-powered life sciences companies that combine artificial intelligence with biological research to accelerate drug discovery and diagnostic development. With over $300 million in funding from major pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi and BMS, plus leading venture capital firms, the company is positioned at the forefront of the AI-healthcare revolution.

Owkin is a well-funded market leader in the emerging AI-driven drug discovery space, with significant strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies and a unique position bridging pure AI technology with practical pharmaceutical applications
This Paris-based role places the candidate at the center of Europe's growing AI and life sciences ecosystem, with opportunities to work on cross-border regulations affecting EU, US, and global markets as the company expands internationally
Fast-paced, innovation-driven environment typical of well-funded AI startups, with the added complexity of pharmaceutical industry requirements for compliance and regulatory rigor, creating a unique blend of startup agility and enterprise-level legal sophistication
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.