Career Center

Department: Innovation and New Ventures
Salary/Grade: NEX/16

Job Summary:

The Senior Invention Specialist supports the administrative, procedural, operational, and inventor issues related to the intellectual property portfolio managed by INVO. Possesses advanced knowledge of patent prosecution and can work on patent portfolios with minimal supervision and guidance. Participates in entire disclosure and docketing process, patent prosecution and license agreement activity and supports commercialization efforts on licenses.  Responsible for monitoring and reporting government compliance requests. Reviews methods to improve workflow, simplify reporting procedures, and improve communications with internal and external NU IP stakeholders.  Provides daily work oversight for Patent Data Specialist   Participates in faculty outreach, meetings, and seminars.  Creates and runs enterprise reports for various Schools, Departments, and Central Administration.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Administers the patent application process including: Managing complex docket processing of Provisional and Non Provisional applications and Foreign application processing; Responsible for data input and assignment preparation, Oversee parent grant review; Inventor and School reporting; Formal document tracking; Review standard legal documents and all patent correspondence; Monitor status of agreements and track deadlines; Maintain patent and license dockets; Issued Patent processing, New Record Creation Power of Attorney preparation and delivery
• Assists Invention Managers and Associates with creating licensing timelines, action plans, and deadlines; Correspond with stakeholders to monitor compliance with agreements or urgent deadlines that impact licensing
• Identifies, reviews, and monitors all government and private sponsor compliance requirements and time lines and take appropriate action to ensure compliance adherence.  Maintains reporting with Lurie Children’s hospital and oversees joint agreements for IP ownership; Maintains all joint reporting between NU and outside invention affiliates
• Communicate with law firms and outside counsel on NU’s patent portfolio triaging questions on deadlines and maintenance fees; Correspond with internal and external stakeholders to monitor compliance with agreements
• Manage receipt of disclosures and guarantees compliance with Northwestern University requirements; documents appropriate information in INVO’s IP database (Inteum); documents disclosures elections and releases. Creates, produce, and maintains enterprise-wide reports as requested
• Advanced faculty outreach including maintaining contact database, attend meetings with inventors and providing support to inventors
• Oversee daily work assigned to Patent Support Specialist

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree or equivalent experience with 2 years related IP experience
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communications and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 years academic tech transfer office experience
• Experience with information and knowledge of relational databases.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

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About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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