Intellectual Property Officer
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
Open Date for Applications: June 16th, 2026 Closing Date for Applications: July 8th, 2026, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)
Key words: #IP #patentanalysis #prosecution #IPstrategy #contractmanagement #communication #stakeholderengagement #projectmanagement #strategicthinking
Overview INL was created with the aim of boosting Nanotechnology research and its impact in society, at a Regional, Iberian and International level. Starting by putting together a world class research infrastructure, attracting top principal investigators (PIs), creating new know-how and intellectual property, collaborating with existing companies as well as stimulating the creation of new spin-off start-ups
In order to pursue our strategic goals of innovation, INL is opening a position for an Officer in the Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
Job Duties The job duties will be the following:
IP Identification and Invention Disclosure Management
- Act as the first point of contact for ICT research groups regarding invention disclosures, new research outputs, and potential IP-generating activities.
- Conduct initial assessments of invention disclosures to evaluate technical merit, novelty, and commercial potential, in consultation with researchers and external patent attorneys.
- Proactively engage with the research community to stimulate invention disclosure activity, raise IP awareness, and embed a culture of IP-consciousness.
Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management
- Support the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patent applications across relevant jurisdictions, working in close collaboration with external patent attorneys.
- Monitor the status of pending and granted patent families, manage prosecution deadlines and annuity payments, and advise on portfolio optimisation decisions.
- Conduct preliminary prior art searches, patentability analyses, and other relevant assessments, particularly related to INL's ICT innovations and R&D pipeline.
- Maintain an up-to-date database of the organisation's IP portfolio.
- Advise on the appropriate form of IP protection for each innovation.
IP Strategy & Commercialisation
- Develop and implement IP strategies for key technology areas, aligned with INL's institutional strategy and the commercial relevance of each innovation.
- Work closely with the TTO's business development and services team to ensure IP assets are properly scoped, packaged, and positioned for licensing, co-development, or spin-out creation.
- Prepare technology summaries, IP analyses, and benchmarking reports to support licensing negotiations, due diligence processes, and investor engagement.
- Identify potential industry partners for technology commercialisation.
- Support the structuring and negotiation of IP-related clauses in agreements with industry partners.
- Support spin-out company creation by advising on IP assignment, licensing structures, and equity arrangements.
IP Governance, Compliance & Awareness
- Ensure INL's IP-related policies and procedures are implemented consistently and advise on compliance with applicable IP regulations, and funding body obligations.
- Deliver IP training, awareness workshops, and onboarding sessions for INL researchers and group leaders.
- Contribute to the preparation of IP-related reports for INL's governance bodies, including portfolio summaries, KPIs, and strategic IP roadmaps.
- Oversee contracts related to IP, licensing, and R&D collaborations.
- Work with legal teams and IP attorneys to resolve IP-related disputes or conflicts.
- Support the implementation of innovation-related public funding programs.
Mandatory Qualifications
Education
- Master's degree (MSc or MEng) in an ICT-related field like Physics, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
Experience and Technical Skills
- Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in IP management, patent prosecution coordination, or technology transfer at a research institution, university TTO, RTO, or IP law firm.
Intellectual Property (IP) Knowledge
- Deep understanding of patents, trademarks, copyrights – including software, and trade secrets.
- Experience with IP protection strategies and patent filing processes.
- Knowledge of licensing agreements and IP valuation.
Patent Analysis and Prosecution
- Demonstrated hands-on experience managing invention disclosures from initial assessment through to patent filing and prosecution follow-up, in close collaboration with external patent attorneys.
- Experience in conducting prior art searches and patentability analysis.
- Ability to produce technically sound and well-supported recommendation reports.
IP strategy and Commercialisation
- Ability to assess the commercial potential of research outputs, particularly within the ICT field.
- Skills in preparing business cases and leaflets for technology commercialisation.
Negotiation & Contract Management
- Familiarity with IP-related provisions in collaborative research agreements, consortium agreements, and EU-funded research project regulations.
- Experience with licensing negotiations and drafting of IP-related agreement clauses in a research or commercial context.
- Ability to engage with researchers, legal experts, and industry partners.
- Experience in managing industry-academia collaborations.
Communication Skills
- Clear communication of complex IP and commercialisation processes and demonstrated ability to develop and deliver IP awareness training for non-experts.
- Ability to identify, select and interact with potential industry partners and investment opportunities.
- Ability to produce clear, accurate IP reports, technical summaries, and legal correspondence.
Project Management & Strategic Thinking
- Practical experience with IP portfolio management tools.
- Ability to manage and execute tech transfer projects
- Strategic mindset to align IP-related activities with institutional goals.
Other Valued Skills
- Experience working in RTOs or similar Research environments.
- Experience in Technology Transfer Activities.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- PhD in an ICT-relevant technical field.
- Postgraduate qualification or training in Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law, or Technology Management alongside the technical degree.
- Knowledge of IP aspects in spin-out company creation, including IP valuation, assignment structures, and equity licensing.
Personal Skills
- Initiative and autonomy.
- Ability to work in a dynamic research environment with evolving technologies.
- Proactive mindset in addressing to legal, financial, and technical transfer challenges.
- Strong organisational skills to track IP filings, agreements, and partnerships.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with researchers, legal teams, and industry partners.
- Skilled in finding common ground when different perspectives are in negotiation.
- Strong problem-solving skills to navigate IP and tech transfer challenges.
- Customer-focused approach with a commitment to delivering value.
- Collaborative mindset and strong team spirit.
- Rigorous attention to detail combined with the ability to manage multiple concurrent IP matters and deadlines.
- Analytical mindset with genuine interest in innovation and emerging technologies.
Our Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges.
- Private health insurance.
- Family allowances (according to family situation).
- Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability).
- Support for education fees of dependent children.
- Relocation support.
- 30 working days of annual leave.
How to Apply The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents: a) Cover letter b) Curriculum Vitae c) Academic and/or Professional diplomas
Reference letters while not mandatory will be valued
Important note: Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered
How the Selection Process works
A. Applications eligibility check
B. CV Assessment The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s)
C. Interview(s) The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation
D. Nomination The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions
Additional Information
Application feedback We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues
The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process
About INL The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub