Head of IP & Innovation

Oxford Quantum Circuits; Reading; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) is building the future of quantum computing from Reading. As Head of IP & Innovation you’ll own the day-to-day management of the IP portfolio, shape protection strategy, and align it with scientific breakthroughs across the business.

You’ll work closely with researchers, engineers and business teams to translate technical advances into patents and trade secrets, ensure fast, responsible execution, and help unlock collaborations and commercial opportunities while

Responsibilities

• Shape IP strategy and governance to align with technology and company ambitions.
• Own patents, invention disclosures, trade secrets and know-how; create robust processes for identification and protection.
• Lead IP workshops with scientists and engineers to translate innovations into protection strategies.
• Monitor competition and rights to ensure freedom to operate and protect confidential information.

Job description

At OQC, we aren’t just theorising about the future; we’re building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we’ve successfully transitioned quantum computing from an academic dream into a commercial reality.

The most exciting thing is that we’re just getting started and we’ve recently closed our £260 million Series C funding round - the largest fundraise ever completed by a quantum computing company in Europe.

The Purpose

As our Head of IP & Innovation, you’ll be OQC’s internal authority on intellectual property, shaping how we identify, protect and leverage the innovations and know-how behind our technology.

Working at the intersection of science, engineering, legal and commercial strategy, you’ll build an IP framework that protects our competitive advantage without slowing innovation, giving our teams the confidence to invent, collaborate and take quantum technology further.

Please note that we also welcome candidates who would like to work 4 days per week on a 80% FTE salary basis.

The Role

This is a high-impact role with significant autonomy and visibility across OQC.

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you’ll own the day-to-day management of our IP portfolio and invention pipeline while developing the strategy, governance and culture needed to manage IP effectively as OQC scales globally.

You’ll work directly with scientists and engineers to uncover potentially valuable inventions, translate complex technical developments into protection strategies, and ensure IP thinking happens early, not after the innovation has happened.

Beyond protecting what we create, you’ll help OQC understand where our IP can strengthen our competitive position, enable strategic collaborations and potentially unlock new commercial opportunities.

What You'll Be Working On

• Shape OQC’s IP strategy: Develop and implement our intellectual property strategy, aligning portfolio decisions and protection priorities with OQC’s technology and commercial ambitions.
• Own our portfolio and invention pipeline: Manage patents, invention disclosures, trade secrets and proprietary know-how, creating robust processes to identify, evaluate, protect and track valuable IP.
• Get close to the technology: Lead invention and IP workshops with scientists and engineers, translating cutting-edge technical developments into practical protection strategies.
• Protect our freedom to innovate: Monitor competitor patent activity, oversee freedom-to-operate work and strengthen how we protect confidential information, trade secrets and external technical disclosures.
• Enable commercial and strategic activity: Advise on IP ownership, licensing and technology rights across customer agreements, research collaborations, strategic partnerships, fundraising, due diligence and international programmes.
• Build an IP-first culture: Create practical training and guidance covering invention disclosures, confidentiality, publications, open-source software, AI usage, customer demonstrations and confidential information.
• Scale the IP operating model: Establish governance, SOPs, records, KPIs and reporting across OQC’s global operations, while managing external patent attorneys and specialist IP advisers effectively.

What We're Looking For

• Significant hands-on IP experience within technology, deep tech or another complex technical environment, with strong capability across IP strategy, patents, inventions, trade secrets and confidential know-how.
• A track record of working closely with scientists, engineers or other highly technical specialists to identify innovation and determine the right approach to protection.
• Experience leading complex IP matters with substantial autonomy, combining technical, legal and commercial considerations to make clear recommendations and knowing when strategic issues require escalation.
• Evidence that you’ve built or materially improved IP processes and governance, rather than simply administering an established portfolio.
• Experience managing external patent attorneys, IP advisers or other specialist advisers, alongside advising internal stakeholders on ownership, licensing, protection and collaboration matters.
• The ability to understand complex technical information, spot IP implications and communicate them clearly to senior, technical and non-technical audiences.
• A relevant legal, IP, scientific or technical background – or equivalent practical experience – combined with strong judgement, organisation and the ability to influence across multiple teams and priorities.

The 'Nice-to-Haves'

• Experience with quantum technologies or another deep-tech field such as semiconductors, advanced computing, photonics or advanced engineering.
• Qualification as a UK and/or European Patent Attorney, solicitor or other relevant IP professional.
• A degree or equivalent technical background in physics, engineering, computer science or another deep-tech discipline.
• Experience supporting IP due diligence for fundraising, investment or strategic transactions.
• Exposure to international IP matters, research collaborations or government-funded programmes.
• Hands-on experience conducting or coordinating freedom-to-operate assessments.
• Experience with technology licensing or identifying opportunities to commercially leverage an IP portfolio.

Why Join OQC

You will join a world-class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.

Learn more about our benefits and positive work culture here: https://oqc.tech/company/careers-at-oqc/