Intellectual Property Coordinator

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Culham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £40,402 per year

7% corporate performance bonus

Final salary defined benefits pension;

25 days annual leave + 2.5 privilege/8

Site closure 3 days at Christmas

Flexible working options

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in Culham is seeking an IP Paralegal to support the Innovation team in managing the global patent portfolio. You will work with colleagues across UKAEA and external patent attorneys to develop IP management processes in a complex technical environment.

You will act as Lead Administrator for our IP and innovation management software, maintain records, compile reports and assist with prosecution activities to ensure timely filings and compliance.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and Maths and A levels or equivalent; suitable work experience may substitute.
• Experience working in a complex technical or professional environment; strong IT literacy.

Responsibilities

• Act as Lead Administrator for UKAEA's IP and innovation management software.
• Maintain accurate IP records and generate regular and ad hoc reports.
• Provide administrative support for patent and trademark prosecution.
• Monitor filing, prosecution and grant activities and meet deadlines.
• Coordinate with external patent attorneys and issue instructions.
• Ensure documentation for IP filings is complete and submitted on time.
• Coordinate invention disclosures for evaluation.
• Prepare powers of attorney and assignments and coordinate their review.
• Maintain records of powers of attorney, assignments and licenses.
• Coordinate notarised/legalised documentation for patent applications.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Planning & organisation

Communication skills

External partner liaison

Experience in technical environments

Education

GCSEs English & Maths

A levels or Level 3 qualification

CIPA IP Paralegal qualification or willing to work towards it

Tools

IP management software

Job description

About us

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

About the job

Join UKAEA's Innovation team and help protect the intellectual property behind pioneering developments in fusion energy. You will support the management of our global patent portfolio, working with colleagues across UKAEA and external patent attorneys. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge and experience of intellectual property management within a complex technical environment.

What You'll be Doing

• Act as Lead Administrator for UKAEA's IP and innovation management software.
• Maintain accurate IP records and produce regular and ad hoc reports.
• Provide administrative and coordination support for patent and trademark prosecution.
• Monitor filing, prosecution and grant activities, ensuring key deadlines are met.
• Liaise with external patent attorneys, issuing instructions and coordinating required actions.
• Ensure information and documentation for IP filings and prosecution are complete, accurate and submitted on time.
• Coordinate the receipt and management of invention disclosures to support their evaluation.
• Prepare powers of attorney and assignment documents, coordinating their review and execution.
• Maintain accurate records of powers of attorney, assignments and licences.
• Coordinate notarised and legalised documentation, ensuring patent applications meet relevant legal and procedural requirements.

What You'll Bring

• GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in English and Maths, together with A levels, an equivalent Level 3 qualification or relevant work experience.
• A CIPA IP Paralegal qualification or a willingness to work towards it.
• Experience of working within a complex technical or professional environment.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across different teams and with external partners.

UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs. We actively support flexible working arrangements where this is compatible with the role.

Benefits

• A salary of £40402
• Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
• Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus 2.5 privilege days; 8 Bank Holidays
• 3 days of site closure over Christmas break
• Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions

Our commitment to ED&I

UKAEA's mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require adjustments to help you participate fairly in our recruitment process, for example changes to the way we interview or share information. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates.

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All appointments are made on merit and further information can be found here.