Legal Career Center

Responsible for providing support for the Invention Disclosure process to Lehigh faculty researchers and the Office of Technology Transfer. The Coordinator assists with legal research, drafting, reviewing and editing legal documents and working with IP firms to process patent filings, coordinates database management, website support, management of training and educational events and office administrative processes. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

#1. Liaises with patent legal firms to manage the patent filing process
*Prepares and manages all relevant documentation needed for filing initial patent application and subsequent patent applications
*Informs patent law firm on patent applications to be filed
*Communicates with patent law firms on patent decisions
*Manages due diligence process collecting prior art information (journal papers, patents, patent applications) from Lehigh inventors related to their invention
*Responds to patent law firm’s requests for legal patent documents needing information related to the invention, inventor’s residence addresses, signatures for assignment and declaration
*Prepares assignment and declaration document for signatures by Lehigh inventors
*Prepares Government Support clause to be filed with patent applications, based on federal funding information provided by Lehigh inventors in the Invention Disclosure Form (IDF)
*Coordinates with patent attorney firms in regards to patent related billing matters

#2. Develops and manages files, databases and systems related to Lehigh inventions and intellectual property portfolio
*Maintains and manages the IDF process from Lehigh faculty and student inventors to make sure all relevant information is completed and the IDF is signed by all inventors
*Maintains the Wellspring (Inteum) database, input all information related to an invention, patents tied to an invention, costs associated with patent filing, prosecution and maintenance, reimbursement of patent expenses, revenue received for licensing of an invention and agreements associated with an invention
*Establishes and manages systems used to collect, store and retrieve data on patent filing and management and invention reports (iEdison)
*Ensures that periodic, scheduled patent maintenance fees and royalty payments are tracked and handled in a timely manner.
*Assists in the evaluation of, and use of, proprietary software for managing intellectual property portfolio
*Maintains scheduled reporting on the iEdison platform to government agencies
*Liaises with external commercialization assistance companies on invention marketing activities
*Prepares vendor invoices for payment and requests checks for revenue distributions to inventors

#3. Manages administrative support responsibilities for the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)
*Arranges conferences and other events, including event logistics
*Maintains departmental website
*Maintains inventory of office supplies and basic equipment
*Tracks and maintains financial information as required
*Processes invoices from patent law firms for payment
*Processes checks for revenue distributions to inventors
*Ensures that periodic, scheduled patent maintenance fees and royalty payments are tracked and handled in a timely manner
*Makes travel arrangements for administrators and/or faculty
*Coordinates logistical arrangements with external companies visiting Lehigh and faculty researchers
*Processes Express Software Licenses from OTT website

Grade: 8 -37.5

Position Number: S73620

Special Considerations

The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by the supervisor

Qualifications

Associate’s or Vocational/Technical degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience; Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Three to five years related work experience

Paralegal experience preferred

Understanding of intellectual property, patents, copyrights and the patent application filing process ideal

Basic understanding of various contracts used in University research and technology activities

Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and a high level of customer service required

Excellent organizational skills, time management and sound judgment 

Adept use of digital communication preferred

Solid analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills

Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and a high degree of initiative for bringing tasks to completion 

Excellent computer skills with experience using word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

Because of increasing COVID case counts in the region and new information about the characteristics of the Delta/Omicron variant, all Lehigh faculty and staff will be required to be fully vaccinated and have received the booster shot, unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the requirement.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.