Intellectual Property Officer

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

The University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for Intellectual Property Officer 2 or 3 in the Office of Technology & Industry Alliances. This hybrid position will require campus presence several days per week to oversee patent prosecution, licensing activities, and technology evaluation.

Candidates will manage portions of UCSB's portfolio, draft licensing agreements, monitor revenues, and ensure compliance with UC policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a Scientific/STEM Field.
• 0-2 years IP transfer experience for IP OFCR 2; 2-4 years for IP OFCR 3.
• Deep knowledge of intellectual property law, particularly patent law.
• Adept at drafting contracts and term sheets, evaluating early‑stage technologies, and managing patent budgets.
• Strong knowledge of physical sciences, materials science or engineering.
• Strong computer skills and IP data systems.
• Strong analytical thinking, communication, negotiation and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the office's licensing activities and patent prosecution.
• Monitor licensing agreements and licensee compliance.
• Manage approximately half of UCSB's technology portfolio and related expenditures.
• Develop patent strategies and advise on patentability of new inventions.
• Ensure compliance with UCSB and UC policies in technology transfer.

Skills

Patent law knowledge

Contract drafting

English writing/communication

Negotiation

Data analysis / IP data systems

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a Scientific/STEM Field

Master's Degree or Ph.D. in a scientific/STEM field and/or JD, MBA

Job description

Pay Rate/Range

The full salary range for this position is $90,600 to $166,400/yr. for IP OFCR 2 and $123,000 to $237,800/yr. for IP OFCR 3. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000 - $175,000/yr., depending upon classification. Salary offers are determined based upon final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University.

Work Location

3227 Cheadle Hall

Working Days and Hours

M-F, 8am - 5pm

Benefits Eligibility

Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable

Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Department Marketing Statement

The primary mission of UCSB's Office of Technology & Industry Alliances (TIA) is to build the foundation for long‑term, productive and mutually beneficial relationships between UCSB and its industry collaborators. TIA was established in August 2005 with two main responsibilities: 1) to manage the intellectual property (IP) developed through UCSB research and license these UCSB‑owned IP to companies (handled by the patent and licensing team; this position is within the patent and licensing team) and 2) to manage the many agreements with industry partners that support research collaborations (including research agreements—both funded sponsored research agreements and unfunded research collaborations, material transfer agreements, non‑disclosure agreements, data use agreements and memorandums of understanding; handled by the industry contracts team). This intellectual property administration includes implementation of the University of California intellectual property policies, the evaluation and marketing of inventions and copyrightable works, the prosecution of patent applications, and the negotiation and administration of a variety of legal agreements related to licensing UCSB‑owned intellectual property. TIA also performs outreach to both the campus community and industry sector concerning technology transfer and research activities at UCSB, including working closely with UCSB startups who have or may license UCSB inventions.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties

Intellectual Property Officer 2 (or Intellectual Property Officer 3): This hybrid position will require approximately two or three days per week, on average, on the UCSB campus. Under the general direction of the Director of the Office of Technology & Industry Alliances (TIA) within the Office of Research at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), the Intellectual Property Officer 2 or Intellectual Property Officer 3 supports the office's licensing activities. Responsibilities include managing all aspects of patent prosecution for UCSB's portfolio of more than 650 inventions, monitoring licensing agreements and licensee compliance, and performing complex data analysis. In addition, the position manages approximately one‑half of UCSB's technology portfolio, including evaluating assigned technologies; overseeing their legal protection and related legal fee expenditures; negotiating, drafting, and overseeing licensing agreements related to those technologies; and monitoring revenues received by the University under those agreements. At the Intellectual Property Officer 2 level, the incumbent performs these responsibilities with a modest degree of independence and with support and supervision from senior colleagues and the TIA Director. At the Intellectual Property Officer 3 level, the incumbent performs these responsibilities with a high degree of independence and autonomy. The incumbent is expected to have a strong scientific background, preferably in chemistry or the biological sciences, and an understanding of relevant technology transfer, industry and university practices, and patent prosecution principles. The incumbent must also be able to interpret and apply applicable UCSB and University of California systemwide technology transfer and licensing policies; resolve a wide range of issues; exercise good judgment in selecting appropriate methods and techniques; perform moderately complex to complex analysis; and track multiple deadlines and issues. Note: This recruitment is for one position. The classification level will be determined at the time of hire and will depend on the skills, knowledge, and experience of the selected candidate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a Scientific/STEM Field
• For IP OFCR 2: 0-2 years of experience in tech transfer, with familiarity with all aspects of the field.
• For IP OFCR 3: minimum of 2-4 years of experience in tech transfer, with familiarity with all aspects of the field.
• Deep knowledge of intellectual property law, particularly patent law.
• Adept at drafting contracts and term sheets, evaluating early‑stage technologies, and managing patent budgets.
• Strong knowledge of physical sciences, materials science or other engineering disciplines.
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn applicable business systems. Highly proficient working with IP data information systems, typical academic policies and standard operating procedures while performing the core responsibilities of technology transfer.
• Strong analytical thinking, communication, negotiation and writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• For IP OFCR 2: Bachelor's degree in a scientific/STEM field and/or is a registered patent attorney/patent agent, a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) or a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) Bachelor's Degree
• For IP OFCR 3: Master's Degree or a Ph.D. in a scientific/STEM field and/or a JD, MBA and/or is a registered patent attorney/patent agent, a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) or a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP). Master's Degree
• 5 or more years of licensing experience at an academic, governmental or non‑profit research entity.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests Filer
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco‑Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time

• 20% Campus Portfolio: IP strategy and management - Exercising a modest degree (IP OFCR 2) with some support of senior colleagues/TIA Director or high degree (IP OFCR 3) of independence and autonomy, manage the patent prosecution for UCSB patent portfolio. Management includes, but is not limited to, overseeing invention disclosure intake review and evaluation process, with the assistance of Licensing Analyst, to assure it occurs efficiently and accurately and to assure any legal issues (including, for example, third party obligations) are accurately identified to licensing officer; assuring applicable federal and state compliance regulations are followed, oversee maintenance of internal databases to assure accuracy thereof (with assistance of Licensing Analyst). Serve as primary contact for, and issue instruction to, outside legal counsel. Oversee and authorize as much as $1M (IP OFCR 2) to $2+M (IP OFCR 3) in expenditures to outside legal firms prosecuting patents on behalf of UCSB. Advise TIA Director on patentability of new inventions disclosed to the office. Develop and implement patent strategies, either independently (IP OFCR 2) or in collaboration with outside legal counsel and in consultation with other licensing officers/TIA Director (IP OFCR 2), as appropriate, that strive to maximize the breadth of patent coverage while minimizing expenditures. When complex issues arise during patent prosecution, develop and implement potential strategies, with modest support/supervision (IP OFCR 2) or a high degree of independence (IP OFCR 3), to overcome or address the issues, in collaboration with other TIA licensing officers, the Director, UCOP, UC Legal and/or outside legal counsel. Review patent portfolio regularly to recommend actions to the Director to promote prudent fiscal management, including, but not limited to, reviewing issued patents for continued viability and relevance, and identifying patent prosecutions encountering significant