Senior IP Searcher

The IP Searcher plays a crucial role in supporting the IP team and broader business through carrying out, managing, and coordinating comprehensive patent and trademark searches. The role includes maintaining records and managing regular IP monitoring activities within the IP team. The IP Searcher must possess strong research skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of IP databases and search techniques, including sequence searching and chemical sub-structure searching. Additionally, the IP Searcher works independently to coordinate and instruct external counsel and search organizations on behalf of CSL and the IP team. The role involves developing and evolving the search capabilities of the IP function and may include mentoring junior searchers. You will report to the Head of IP Digital & Technologies (IP LT).

Responsibilities and accountabilities

1. Design, coordinate, and conduct IP searches using various databases to identify relevant prior art, patents, trademarks, and other technical or commercial information, including keyword, sequence, and chemical substructure searches.
2. Support attorneys in reviewing and analyzing search results to assess patentability, freedom to operate, and IP risks, including support for other IP areas like litigation, domain names, INN, or ODD.
3. Communicate search approaches, structures, queries, and results clearly to the IP team and stakeholders, highlighting key findings.
4. Coordinate and instruct external counsel and search organizations, managing search activities and relationships proactively.
5. Contribute to managing CSL's third-party IP monitoring activities, including recording, processing, and acting on search results.
6. Participate in cross-functional teams for projects such as patent landscaping, competitor analysis, and due diligence.
7. Maintain IP search records in accordance with company policies.
8. Drive the development and use of digital technologies and tools to improve search efficiency and scope, working with external organizations as needed.

Job specifications

1. Bachelor's degree in life sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology) or related field; Masters or PhD preferred.
2. Patent and/or trademark searching certification/qualifications are highly regarded.
3. Minimum 5-8 years of experience as a patent searcher in life sciences.
4. Experience with keyword, sequence, and chemical substructure searching is highly regarded.
5. Proficiency with patent databases like USPTO, EPO, WIPO, Derwent Innovation, PatBase, SciFinder, or similar.
6. Understanding of patent/trademark classification, law, and prosecution processes.
7. Computer literacy, including MS Office and database usage.
8. Ability to manage commitments across different time zones.

The role can be based in Bern, Zurich, Melbourne, Waltham, or King of Prussia.