Technology Transfer Specialist

The La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is hiring for the following position: Technology Transfer Specialist.

The Technology Transfer Specialist - to be based in San Diego, California - will be a key member of LJI's Legal Affairs and Intellectual Property team. This individual will report to and work under the supervision of the Sr. Manager of Intellectual Property and will provide scientific and administrative support for all intellectual property, business development, and alliance activities. The Technology Transfer Specialist will be responsible for the day-to-day management of LJI's patent portfolio, including managing daily prosecution activities, as well as supporting LJI's business development activities.

Responsibilities:

Intellectual Property:

• Work with the Senior Manager of Intellectual Property to review invention disclosures, grant applications, and scientific manuscripts to identify patenting opportunities and assess patentability.
• Conduct patentability and freedom to operate searches and provide related internal reports.
• Coordinate communications with outside patent counsel including assisting outside patent counsel in the preparation of patent applications and gathering necessary information from inventors.
• Review and prepare responses to patent office correspondence or outside counsel's suggestions for response, including Restriction Requirements, Office Actions, EU Communications, etc.
• Manage formal patent document preparation, execution, and recordation either in-house or with patent counsel.
• Maintain LJI docketing and calendaring systems, as well as compliance activities regarding required government (iEdison) reporting.
• Process patent invoices, track patent related expenditures and manage maintenance and annuity fees through CPI patent database.

Business Development:

• Assist Senior Manager of Intellectual Property in coordinating meetings and communications with LJI Faculty to develop commercialization strategies for LJI technologies.
• Identify and research potential collaborative or licensing partners for existing or developing LJI technologies.
• Provide support for LJI's business development efforts, including coordination of meetings and agendas for corporate visits, meeting follow up, and preparation of non-confidential technology summaries.
• Assist with LJI's alliance management by reviewing the scientific scope of research proposals and aid in determining relevance to or overlap with existing technologies and projects.
• Maintain records and documents related to business development activities.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Candidates must have a scientific background with a minimum of a B.S. in the life sciences; graduate degree and/or immunology background preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in technology transfer and/or patent prosecution, including performance of patentability and freedom to operate searches.
• Preference for candidates experienced with Inteum software and iEdison reporting.
• Ideal candidates should be able to effectively translate complex scientific information.
• Knowledge of U.S. Patent Law and USPTO rules and regulations strongly preferred.
• Candidate must demonstrate ability to provide critical thinking, creativity, and project management, with attention to detail, strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as a demonstrated ability for follow-up.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are also required.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines, as well as manage and adhere to detailed legal budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to work and execute projects independently.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV.

Salary ($75-$95k based on level of experience)

La Jolla Institute is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We validate this commitment by conducting regular market analyses to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the nonprofit, independent research sector. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, unique skill sets, organizational need, and internal equity.