Patent Engineer: Invention Scout & IP Strategy

Institute for Biomedicine – Eurac Research; Bolzano; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Interdisciplinary environment

Continuous training

Networking opportunities with ASTP/Net

Competitive salary

Job summary

Eurac Research in Bolzano seeks a Patent Engineer to support the Knowledge Transfer Office. You will manage the entire patenting process from invention identification, through prior art searches, to drafting and filing strategies, coordinating with researchers and patent attorneys.

Ideal candidates have a Master’s in engineering with 2–3 years in patent work, strong analytical skills, and fluency in Italian and English.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or related technical field; PhD a plus.
• Qualification as a registered patent attorney is preferred but not required.
• 2–3 years of patent-related work experience focusing on prior art searches and draft/review of patent applications.
• Knowledge of patent law, filing procedures (national/EPO/PCT), and freedom-to-operate principles.
• Fluency in Italian and English; German a plus; ability to liaise with researchers, law firms, and IP consultants.

Responsibilities

• Invention scouting in close cooperation with researchers to identify protectable results.
• Manage confidentiality, invention traceability, ownership, and inventorship.
• Conduct systematic prior art searches and document distinctiveness.
• Perform strategic analyses: commercial value, freedom-to-operate, geographic coverage.
• Oversee drafting of technical descriptions, claims, drawings, and unity of invention.
• Choose filing routes (direct vs. PCT) and manage deadlines.
• Coordinate responses to office actions and monitor competing applications.
• Manage IP portfolio and interface with researchers, patent attorneys, and offices.
• Provide internal IP training and awareness activities.

Skills

Invention scouting

Confidentiality management

Prior art search

Strategic analysis

Drafting applications

Filing route guidance

Examination coordination

IP portfolio management

Regulatory alignment

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in engineering

PhD (plus)

Tools

Patent management software

Job description

Eurac Research in Bolzano seeks a Patent Engineer to support the Knowledge Transfer Office. You will manage the entire patenting process from invention identification, through prior art searches, to drafting and filing strategies, coordinating with researchers and patent attorneys.

Ideal candidates have a Master’s in engineering with 2–3 years in patent work, strong analytical skills, and fluency in Italian and English.