Senior Legal Counsel (Privacy)

Role Type: Full-time Ongoing Role 
Salary: Competitive Salary + Superannuation + Salary Packaging Benefits

The opportunity:

Join a leading medical research institute at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation. As Senior Legal Counsel - Privacy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the Institute's approach to privacy, data governance and the responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will be the Institute's lead legal adviser on privacy, data protection and AI governance. You will provide practical legal guidance across a broad range of research, clinical and operational activities, helping the Institute navigate increasingly complex privacy, data-sharing and regulatory requirements.

You will act as the Institute's Privacy Officer and Data Protection Officer, partnering closely with researchers, ethics and governance committees, data governance teams, and information security specialists to support the responsible use of health, genomic and research data.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced lawyer who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys tackling complex legal challenges, and is passionate about supporting cutting-edge health and medical research.

What you’ll do  

• Provide expert legal advice on privacy, data protection and health information laws, including Australian and international frameworks.


• Navigate the Institute's privacy and AI governance programs, developing policies, frameworks and best-practice guidance.


• Advise on the legal implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning across research, clinical and administrative functions.


• Support human research, clinical trials, biobanking and genomic data initiatives through the development and review of data-sharing agreements, consent frameworks and governance arrangements.


• Provide guidance on data collection, secondary use, de-identification, cross-border data transfers and data breach response.

What you’ll bring

You are an experienced legal professional with deep expertise in privacy and data protection law and a genuine interest in the future of health research and emerging technologies. You combine strong technical knowledge with exceptional judgement and the ability to communicate complex concepts in a practical and accessible way.

• Admission to legal practice in Australia and eligibility to hold a Victorian Practising Certificate.


• At least 8 years' post-admission experience gained in private practice and/or an in-house legal environment.


• Significant experience advising on privacy and data protection matters, ideally involving health, genomic or other sensitive data.


• Knowledge of AI governance, data governance or emerging technology regulation, or a strong interest in developing expertise in these areas.


• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

Please view the position description here.

Any questions? Reach out to Millie McCulloch at [email protected].

What you’ll enjoy

• Access a range of salary packaging options, covering entertainment, novated leases, and more


• Permanent ongoing role providing long term career stability and growth opportunities.


• Flexible working arrangements that support work life balance and employee wellbeing.


• Opportunity to work at the forefront of medical research, data governance and emerging AI technologies.


• Partner with leading researchers, clinicians and executive leaders to make a meaningful impact on health and scientific discovery.


• Diverse and intellectually stimulating work across privacy, data protection, research governance and innovation.

Who we are

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute envisions a transformative future for child health. Our institute is a hub of impactful scientific breakthroughs, particularly in early interventions, enhanced diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures. We thrive on collaborative, multidisciplinary problem-solving to address challenging queries in child health. Committed to inclusivity and respect, we foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences. As a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability and a dedicated supporter of Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), we uphold principles of equal opportunity and diverse representation.

We are committed to the safety of children and young people and takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse, exploitation and harm. Child safety is prioritised in our decision-making at all levels of the Institute.   

Apply now!

If you believe this role is a good fit for you, please apply by submitting:

• Your resume


• A cover letter addressing why you are a good fit for the role

Ensure these documents are combined into a single PDF file.

We welcome individuals of diverse genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, religions, and sexual orientations in our workplace. We actively encourage talented individuals from all walks of life to apply for our job openings. Our commitment lies in fostering a workplace that is barrier-free and inclusive, aiming to attract the most skilled candidates.

For any questions related to the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment Team at [email protected]. Ensure that you include the position number and job title in the subject line. Please refrain from sharing your application to this email address.

Please note, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

No recruitment agencies please.

Applications close: Friday 13 November 2026