Patents & Legal Paralegal

Riverlane; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 58,000; Part time

Job summary

Riverlane, a leading quantum computing company, is looking for a proactive Paralegal to join their Legal & IP team. This part-time role involves supporting patent and trademark activities, providing vital legal administration, and ensuring the protection of Riverlane's innovative IP portfolio. Ideal candidates should have experience in this area and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Benefits include private medical insurance, equity opportunities, and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Contributory pension scheme

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Enhanced family leave

Qualifications

• Experience as an IP Paralegal, Patent Formalities Officer, or IP Coordinator.
• Understanding of UKIPO, EPO and WIPO/PCT procedures.
• Familiarity with legal administration tasks and document management.

Responsibilities

• Support patent filings and renewals with UKIPO and EPO.
• Manage internal IP processes and educate teams on IP practices.
• Assist General Counsel with legal documentation and compliance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Law degree or Paralegal Certification

Tools

IP management systems (e.g., Equinox)

Job description

Cambridge, UK | Part-time | Permanent | Hybrid

Salary: £40,000 to £58,000 pro rata, DOE

This role is available on a part-time basis, working 22.5 hours per week (or similar) over 4 – 5 days (Monday – Friday). Please indicate your preferred working schedule in your cover letter.

About us

Riverlane’s mission is to make quantum computing useful, sooner. From advances in material science to complex chemistry simulation for drug design and discovery, quantum computers will help solve some of the world’s most important challenges. Riverlane is building the quantum error correction stack, Deltaflow, to make this happen. It’s a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion.

We recently raised $75M in Series C funding to accelerate our cutting-edge R&D in quantum error correction (QEC), and are partnering with many of the world’s leading quantum hardware providers and government agencies to make fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality. We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast.

About the role

We have a fantastic opportunity for a proactive and detail-oriented Paralegal with IP and legal experience to join our small Legal & IP team as we grow.

In this varied and exciting position, you'll play a key role in protecting and scaling our IP portfolio, supporting our inventors and enabling innovation, as well as managing the day to day operations of our legal team and providing general support to our General Counsel.

This role is ideal for a qualified or experienced Paralegal who thrives in a fast-paced and high-growth, environment.

On the IP side, you'll support the full IP lifecycle, working closely with patent attorneys, R&D teams (across science and engineering), and leadership to help deliver Riverlane’s patent and trademark strategy globally. You'll be at the heart of our innovation pipeline, helping ensure Riverlane's groundbreaking work is identified, protected and commercialised effectively.

On the legal side, you will provide seamless paralegal support to our General Counsel, handling the day-to-day legal administration, reviewing NDAs and contracts and supporting Riverlane stakeholders with legal queries and document coordination. You will also be responsible for reviewing, improving and implementing internal processes, with a key focus on leveraging technology to move away from manual processes.

What you will do

Patent Portfolio Management:

• Coordinate patent filings, prosecutions and renewals with UKIPO, EPO, and international counsel.
• Track deadlines, prepare formalities documents and manage IP records with accuracy.
• Maintain the IP management system (e.g. Equinox or similar), ensuring data accuracy and audit readiness.
• Organise and support internal invention disclosure processes, including liaising with inventors.

Trademark & Brand Protection:

• Support the filing and maintenance of UK, EU and international trademarks.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Product teams to ensure brand usage aligns with filings.

Internal IP Processes:

• Help educate and onboard internal teams on IP processes and best practices.
• Assist with IP-related agreements, including inventor assignments and confidentiality provisions.
• Prepare regular reports and updates on the portfolio for internal stakeholders and leadership.

Legal Administration & Paralegal support:

• Support contract lifecycle and matter intake management, including preparing and tracking template documents such as NDAS, obtaining signatures, template maintenance, and filing, with a keen interest in utilising technology to improve and optimise processes.

• Work closely with the Legal & IP team to triage and prioritise incoming legal requests from across the business.
• Organise and manage the company’s legal documentation.

• Carry out specific research tasks.
• Assist with updating and completing template documents, such as NDAs and preparing internal policies and guidance.
• Assist with routine compliance and regulatory matters, with support from the Legal team.
• Prepare minutes and support internal legal training and reporting activities.

What we need

• Experience as an IP Paralegal, Patent Formalities Officer, or IP Coordinator (in-house or in private practice).
• A solid understanding of UKIPO, EPO and WIPO/PCT procedures.
• Experience managing IP databases and docketing tools, with a passion for implementing and optimising processes to maximise efficiency.
• Experience or a demonstrated willingness and enthusiasm to undertake legal administration tasks, including document management, preparing NDAs and completing other template documents, tracking legal matters, filing and compliance support.
• Great organisational skills with excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
• The ability to confidently work with scientists and engineers to capture and manage innovation, explain legal policies and deal with routine legal queries.
• Experience managing IP databases and docketing tools, with a passion for implementing and optimising processes to maximise efficiency.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Confident using modern technology tools to support efficient legal operations.

Even better if you have

• Experience working as a Legal Paralegal, particularly on the commercial side. Ideally with a relevant legal qualification, such as a Law degree or Paralegal Certification.
• A CIPA qualification (or equivalent IP paralegal training).
• Experience in a high-growth tech, engineering or scientific organisation.
• Familiarity with legal operations and/or an demonstrated interest or experience in using technology to improve processes.
• Experience using Equinox IP management system.

What you can expect from us

• A comprehensive benefits package, including annual bonus scheme, private medical insurance, life insurance, a contributory pension scheme (and much more)

• Equity so that our team can share in the long-term success of Riverlane

• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and enhanced family leave

• A diverse work environment that brings together experts in many fields (including software and hardware development, quantum information theory, physics, maths and many more) and over 20 different nationalities

• A learning environment that encourages individual, team and company growth and learning, including an annual training and conference budget

How to apply

Please upload a CV and cover letter by clicking 'Apply'. Your cover letter should explain why you are applying for the job and what skills and experience you can bring to the role.

We review CVs as we receive them and interview as soon as we have applications that look like a good match. We do not use closing dates. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this role. If you have any queries, please [e-mail].

Everyone is welcome at Riverlane. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity.

Studies have shown that women tend to apply to jobs if they meet all or almost all of the requirements whereas men apply even if they meet only some of the requirements. If that sounds like you then please apply – we are happy to review your application and let you know if we think you might be a good fit.

If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We will be happy to help.