IP Manager

Your job

Are you a specialist in the field of intellectual property and do you want to use your knowledge and experience for the greenest university in the Netherlands? Are you ready for a new challenge and will you help our team and the rest of the organization in the field of IP? Then read on

We are in search of an experienced IP professional to ensure the strategic management of the growing IP portfolio of Wageningen University & Research (WUR). As an IP Manager, you operate within the context of IP procedures and scientific interests. You are capable of evaluating the patentability, value, and marketability of new inventions. You play a crucial role in providing contractual and strategic IP advice to sciences groups. The primary focus is to always guide the valorization of an invention in the right direction. In some cases, you may only provide guidance, while in others, you independently handle the entire process from A to Z.

You enjoy providing researchers with information on intellectual property rights, raising awareness of their value, and assisting them in making business agreements with third parties. You serve as a conversational partner for all levels within and outside the organization: from researchers to deans and from recent alumni to industry representatives. Additionally, you collaborate with Knowledge Transfer Managers in setting up and guiding the transfer of IP. Above all, you can contextualize your actions, seamlessly switch between the diverse positions of the involved parties, effectively advance a case to the next phase, effortlessly navigate between science and business, and achieve valorization results.

Your role involves guiding the establishment, management, and commercialization of patent rights, and offering advice, information, and business development support related to licenses, contracts, software, and trademark/design registration.

Your responsibilities include

Liaising with researchers to start the process of evaluating promising technologies; Being the primary point of contact between WUR and patent attorney firms; Defining and implementing bespoke IP strategies for individual technologies; Advising on patent filing and prosecution in collaboration with patent attorney firms; Supporting commercialization efforts; Managing WURs IP portfolio; Collaborating with WUR's Legal department in reviewing and preparing IP-related agreements; Training researchers in IP matters; Improving internal policies and processes;
You will work here
As an IP Manager, you will be a key contributor to the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) within the Value Creation department. Established to provide institution-wide support, this corporate staff department encourages and facilitates the application of research results to society. The KTO, consisting of IP Managers, support officers, and Knowledge Transfer Managers, is dedicated to managing IP and innovation processes for both Wageningen University and Wageningen Research. Hierarchically, as an IP Manager you report to the manager of the KTO.

Embrace a dynamic hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility of remote work while committing to a minimum of 2 days on campus. We invite you to join a diverse international team in a dynamic environment and make a meaningful contribution to the technologies that will shape the future.

Your qualities

You possess a university degree in a relevant field, along with work experience in business development or intellectual property law, and knowledge of the patent application and granting process. A background in molecular biology, gene editing (CRISPR-Cas) or biochemistry, ideally to a Ph.D. level, is preferred.; A minimum of 3 years of experience working as an IP specialist in a corporate, legal, or academic setting; Ideally, familiarity with patents and non-patent IP rights, especially copyright; Experience in negotiating and amending contracts related to IP is desirable;
The role of IP Manager requires a flexible, entrepreneurial, and pragmatic attitude. A sharp analytical ability is crucial, as well as the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. You are creative, solution-oriented, and resilient, and you naturally handle a variety of tasks simultaneously. You possess good interpersonal and communication skills and can effortlessly communicate in Dutch and English, both in writing and verbally.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance; the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more; sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave; there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee; a fixed December bonus of 8,3%; excellent pension scheme. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between 4.344 and 6.522 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). We offer you a contract between 24 and 32 hours per week. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract upon in mutual enthusiasm.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling.

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