IP Manager, Life Sciences

IP Manager - Life Sciences

Skysong Innovations is ASU’s exclusive technology transfer and intellectual property management company responsible for the rapid and wide dissemination of ASU’s discoveries and inventions into the marketplace for the public good.  

The IP Manager will work closely with faculty, outside counsel, and Skysong Innovations (SI) in-house counsel and other team members on the strategy, preparation, and prosecution of patent applications within the Life Sciences (LS) discipline. The overall mission of this role is to help the LS team identify, secure, evaluate, protect, market, and commercialize innovative science-based technologies developed at ASU.

What You’ll Do

• Analyzes invention disclosures, understand invention features, provide analysis and recommendation, and perform substantive and procedural tasks associated with the filing, protection, and maintenance of intellectual property.
• Works with faculty to explain ASU’s technology transfer activities particularly with regard to invention disclosures, the patent application process and Skysong Innovations’ standard procedures and practices.
• Interacts closely with ASU faculty to monitor their research activities, solicits, and assists with the completion and submission of invention disclosures.
• Monitors faculty’s scientific publications – looks for potential invention disclosures – becomes familiar with specific research activities.
• Works with outside patent counsel and ASU inventors in crafting patent applications and responses to patent office actions and other information requests, consulting with and/or escalating matters to the Director of Intellectual Property and/or the Chief Patent Counsel when needed.
• Works with internal leadership and the Skysong Innovations business development team to prepare reports and presentations communicating strategies, activities, and results obtained in the solicitation and management of intellectual property.
• Supports researchers on intellectual property matters related to grant proposals for funding from public and private sources.
• Analyzes statements of work within Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Joint Development Agreements (JDAs), and Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs) to determine whether identified materials are subject to existing ASU patent protection and, if not, makes a recommendation for whether patent protection is appropriate.
• Provides due diligence support to the SI business development team to assist in formulating strategies and action plans to support new business ventures (spinouts).
• Manages patent prosecution budgets for assigned cases.
• Provides best-in-class IP services to faculty and staff by maintaining and further developing links in relationships between faculty and outside counsel, helping to navigate complex sensitive issues keeping the University’s best interest in mind and advising faculty on best practice.
• Makes presentations to faculty and student groups to familiarize them with ASU’s technology transfer activities in terms of purpose, the intellectual property patent application process, invention disclosures, and value of commercialization.
• Acts as a primary point of contact for faculty and staff and maintains a productive relationship with campus administrators and student innovators to ensure engagement and ongoing participation and support for innovation and discovery and their connection with technology transfer operations.
  
  

What You'll Need

• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills, with the ability to distill and articulate technical concepts to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone with co-workers, faculty, researchers, administrators, and industry representatives.
• Consultative, able to evaluate a wide range of life or physical-sciences-based technologies with respect to their protectability, commercial potential, and application as products and processes in real world situations.
• Self-starter who demonstrates a high-level of initiative; ability to move projects ahead to reach resolution in a collaborative environment.
• Deadline driven, highly organized individual able to work independently and handle multiple high priority tasks in a fast-paced and fluid environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and tact and maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Skysong Innovations, ASU Enterprise Partners, Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and creative problem solver, adept at proactively identifying problems and opportunities and devising and executing solutions.
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans.
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties.
• Computer literacy with standard word processing, MS Office Suite (i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint), email, Internet applications, and Google apps.
• Ability to effectively represent and promote the institution.
  
  

Relevant Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering or a related field with six (6) years of experience; OR
• Master’s degree in physical or life sciences, or a related field with four (4) years of experience
• Experience developing prior art search strategies, analyzing prior art search results, and advising on patentability.
• Experience using IP management systems, USPTO systems, patent search tools.
• Admitted to and member in good standing of the US Patent Bar, or eligible for admission within two years of hire.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering; OR
• PhD degree in physical or life sciences, or a related field AND
• JD or MBA
• Two (2) years of experience managing a patent portfolio in an in-house setting (university, corporate, or government).
• Experience working in an academic environment.
  
  

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule. We work from home two days a week!
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
• 22 days of vacation time
• 11 holidays, including your birthday
• Parental leave
• Significant tuition reductions
• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement
  
  

At ASU Enterprise Partners

We serve.

We serve the faculty and staff of ASU to bring them resources so they can do all the great things that they do.

We innovate.

We’re always looking for new ideas, new solutions, new approaches and new ways to address the challenges facing ASU.

We engage.

We engage our donors, philanthropists, investors and partners, connecting them to ASU and helping them share their time, talent and treasure.

We care.

When we serve, innovate and engage, it shows that we care — about faculty, staff, donors, fellow employees and other partners as we bring resources to ASU.

ASU Enterprise Partners and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer that is firmly committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our organization and throughout our sphere of influence. Because we embrace a spirit of innovation and achievement, we will endeavor to maximize the talent and potential of all employees, directors, and volunteers through bold and strategic action aimed at building success and a sense of belonging. All employees are expected to act in good faith to support these actions and to not impede the efforts of others to build a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization.

ASU Enterprise Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer