Senior Intellectual Property Counsel (m / f / d) Molecular Cell Technologies

KWS Group; Berlin; Hybrid; EUR 60.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel to join their Global Legal and IP Team. This pivotal role focuses on managing IP matters in molecular cell technology and genome editing, providing strategic IP advice, and fostering collaboration across R&D and business teams. This diverse position offers the chance to work in an international environment, contribute innovative ideas, and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to advancing agricultural technologies. If you are passionate about intellectual property and want to make a significant impact in the agriculture industry, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Leistungen

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid Work Option

Christmas and Holiday Bonuses

Childcare Allowance

Job Bike

Professional Development Support

Qualifikationen

• PhD or comparable degree in Life Sciences or related field required.
• Experience in IP department of multinational company or patent law firm is essential.

Aufgaben

• Provide leadership and advice on IP matters in molecular cell technologies.
• Prepare and manage patent applications globally and establish freedom to operate.

Kenntnisse

Intellectual Property Management

Analytical Thinking

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Customer Orientation

Ausbildung

PhD in Life Sciences

Degree in (Plant) Biology or Agriculture

Tools

Patent Management Software

Jobbeschreibung

KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. Over 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.8 billion in the fiscal year 2022 / 2023. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for 165 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for corn, sugar beet, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants' resistance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development.

We are seeking a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel who acts as a Business Partner (BP IP) (m / w / d) for our Global Legal and IP Team

This role is pivotal in managing IP matters within our strategic fields of molecular cell technology and genome editing, contributing significantly to the KWS Group's value creation. As a BP IP you will provide high-quality, business-oriented IP advice and act as a proactive and pragmatic partner for KWS business, with a strong understanding of the seed and agriculture industry.

This position is to be filled in fulltime and with a permanent contract. You can be based either in our Headquarters in Einbeck or in our KWS Office in Berlin .

Key Responsibilities :

• IP Leadership : Provide leadership and advice at the interface between IP, R&D, Breeding, and Business, with full responsibility for IP matters and strategies in molecular cell technologies, with the main focus on genome editing.
• Strategic Partnering : Act as a sparring partner to R&D and business teams, identifying new business opportunities, developing, and implementing holistic IP strategies with appropriate consideration of the big picture, and fostering value creation in alignment with KWS Group stakeholders on all hierarchy levels.
• Patent Management : Prepare or steer the filing and prosecution of patent applications globally and establish freedom to operate (FTO) for all KWS activities.
• Collaboration and Negotiation : Secure IP interests in collaboration or license negotiations with competitors, academia, or other industries, and provide IP support for mergers & acquisitions (M&A).
• Network Coordination : Expand and coordinate a cost-efficient global network of external IP counsels.

Your Profile :

• PhD or comparable degree in Life Sciences, (Plant) Biology, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Good understanding of the agriculture industry, with a focus on new genomic techniques.
• Several years of experience in an IP department of a multinational company or an international patent law firm.
• National or European qualification as a patent attorney is a plus.
• Excellent customer orientation with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong communication skills, capable of translating complex IP information for stakeholders and foster decision-making.
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Team player with an independent working style and social competence.
• Fluency in English is mandatory and proficiency level of German would be appreciated.

What We Offer :

• An exceptionally interesting and diverse job in an international environment with the opportunity to contribute innovative ideas.
• Work in an international, highly motivated, and dynamic team.
• Support for professional and personal development, true to our motto “Make yourself grow!”
• Flexible Working Hours and possibility of hybrid work.
• As a family-run company, we value closeness, reliability, foresight, and independence, creating an open and friendly working atmosphere.
• Benefits : Attractive salary including Christmas and holiday bonuses, capital-forming benefits, childcare allowance, job bike, and more.

If you are passionate about IP in the field of molecular cell technologies and genome editing, and you meet the above criteria, we would love to hear from you!