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Trainee Solicitor
Grade UE05: £29,588 - £33,951 per annum
University Secretary’s Group / Legal Services
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: for 2 years
We are looking for a trainee solicitor to join the University of Edinburgh’s Legal Services team, to develop, over a period of two years, the skills and experience necessary to become a Qualified Solicitor, while supporting legal research and the provision of legal advice and guidance by qualified solicitors within the Legal Services team (including the University’s General Counsel and Director of Legal Services) in respect of a diverse range of legal issues.
The Opportunity:
This is an exciting opportunity to join this in-house legal team to complete a 2-year fixed term training contract. As a key member of the legal team you will provide support to solicitors advising the institution on a broad range of legal issues.
Although a significant focus of the role will be commercial and contractual matters. There will be opportunities to provide legal support to the University on a diverse range of other issues, including dispute resolution, strategic protects, real estate, regulatory matters, student matters, research support and consultancy, and technology transfer.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week).
Your skills and attributes for success:
• Ability to take a pragmatic approach to helping to solve legal and practical problems.
• Ability to communicate clearly, including by explaining questions, clarifying requirements and responding to enquiries.
• Strong analytical skills, with ability to use own initiative to assess problems and identify potential solutions.
• An approachable working style.
• Ability to prioritise and manage work load effectively.
Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab).
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
• A competitive salary, starting at £31,236 for year one (Step 3 within the Grade 5 range of £29,588 - £33,951).
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
Closing Date: Wednesday, 3rd September 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
We anticipate interviews will be held early-September.
Important information about applying
As part of your application please upload an up-to-date CV as well as a cover letter or supporting statement outlining your suitability and motivation for the role.
Non-University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. external applicants) – please refer to the online guidance on the University jobs website: How to complete your job application
Current University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. internal applicants) – you must apply as an internal applicant through the People and Money Current Jobs tile. Please refer to the How to Apply – UoE Employee system user guide
After the closing date, updates on your application will be sent via HR system-generated notification emails. Please double check the junk mail and clutter folders on your email client, in case notifications are routed there.
ABOUT US
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
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