Patent Engineer: Research IP & Strategy

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

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous training

Networking opportunities with national

Welfare package

Job summary

Eurac Research in Bolzano is seeking a Patent Engineer to support the Knowledge Transfer Office. You will guide the patenting process from invention identification to drafting, filing, and examination, with a focus on prior art searches and strategic analysis.

Requires a Master’s in engineering (PhD a plus), 2–3 years of patent-related experience, fluency in Italian and English, and strong communication. German is a plus. Full-time fixed-term contract based in Bolzano with a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or related technical field; a PhD is a plus; qualification as a registered patent attorney is preferred but not required.
• 2–3 years of patent-related experience with demonstrated ability in prior art searching and drafting/reviewing patent applications.
• Knowledge of patent law, filing procedures (national/EPO/PCT), and freedom-to-operate principles.
• Fluency in Italian and English; knowledge of German is a plus.
• Experience in an academic or research institution is advantageous, especially in technology transfer.
• Ability to liaise with researchers, patent attorneys, and IP consultants.
• Knowledge of software tools for patentability analysis and patent management.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Invention scouting and defining protection measures and commercialization routes.
• Manage confidentiality, invention traceability and inventorship.
• Conduct systematic prior art searches and document distinctiveness.
• Perform strategic analysis including freedom-to-operate and geographic coverage.
• Oversee drafting of technical description, claims, drawings, and unity of invention with patent attorney.
• Decide between direct and PCT routes and manage deadlines.
• Coordinate responses to office actions and monitor competing applications.
• Manage IP portfolio and interface with researchers, attorneys and patent offices.
• Provide internal advice and training on IP/IPR matters.

Skills

Prior art searching

Drafting patent applications

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in engineering

PhD (a plus)

Registered patent attorney (preferred)

Tools

Patent databases

IP management tools

Job description

Eurac Research in Bolzano is seeking a Patent Engineer to support the Knowledge Transfer Office. You will guide the patenting process from invention identification to drafting, filing, and examination, with a focus on prior art searches and strategic analysis.

Requires a Master’s in engineering (PhD a plus), 2–3 years of patent-related experience, fluency in Italian and English, and strong communication. German is a plus. Full-time fixed-term contract based in Bolzano with a competitive salary.