The Technology Commercialization office supports the research mission of the University by facilitating the transfer of UMN innovation beyond the research lab by helping our diverse researchers to license research, patent innovative ideas, and facilitate commercialization.

The Associate Patent Administrator will be responsible for the day-to-day operational activity related to University of Minnesota Intellectual Property and is a core member of the 4 FTE IP Admin team. The Associate Patent Administrator will be primarily tasked with the collection of formal documents related to University IP including Assignments and Declarations. This position reports to the Tech Comm Operations & Finance Manager.

The IP Admin team is responsible for entry of patent applications and legal notices in the Tech Comm database, database integrity, patent annuity and maintenance fee management, processing of formal legal documents required for patent applications, and regulatory compliance associated with federal and non-federal sponsors of University research.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Formal Documents Portfolio (60%)

• Review incoming requests for inventor signatures on all formal documents (Assignments and Declarations)
• Review incoming requests for Powers of Attorney and other patent-related legal documents
• Assign formal documents to students and staff for processing; monitor workloads, make adjustments as needed

Communications (20%)

• Coordinate and communicate with engaged law firms and third-party counsel
• Distribute Updates and other correspondence to internal Tech Comm staff
• Use the central email system - OTCPATENT@UMN.EDU

Undergraduate Student Supervision (10%)

• Meet regularly with all students regarding formal documents and special projects to resolve problems, ensure processing is timely

Special Projects Related to IP Admin (10%)

• Projects could include clearing of backlog items
• Updates to Operating Procedures

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and Tech Comm endorses a âœwork with flexibility❠approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. Work location options include working fully remote, partially remote, or entirely in the office and are based on the work of the position. Some on-site work may be necessary for certain positions, even those designated as fully remote.

This position has been designated as eligible for flexible work profile three. Profile three employees are expected to work remotely more than 50% of the time. Your dedicated office space will be in your remote work location. Tech Comm management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Required Qualifications

• Associateâ™s degree plus at least four years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years.
• Experience administering and managing complex projects
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to be resourceful and proactive when issues and/or emergencies arise
• Able to work independently and with others and with diverse populations;
• Able to handle interruptions, prioritize workload, follow-up and meet deadlines;
• Innovative thinker with strong analytic, conceptual and problem-solving skills;

Preferred Qualifications

• Six or more years of legal administrative experience, preferably in a law firm or court system
• Experience in Intellectual Property administration
• Paralegal experience; experience drafting/editing legal documents; legal research
• Advanced degree or certification (JD, Master of Public Affairs or Public Administration, MBA)

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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