Collaborator with expertise in Patent Engineering

h3Research Support Office /h3 h3Short description of the position /h3 pbEurac Research /b ( is a private research organization based in Bolzano/Bozen, Italy. Our research institutes and centers are seeking answers to global challenges through interaction between a variety of disciplines: keeping societies healthy, fostering intact environments, promoting sustainable energy and developing well-functioning political and social systems. We develop concrete solutions for regional problems which can then be applied globally. /p pbThe KTO (Knowledge Transfer Office) /b: The newly established Knowledge Transfer Office is a central service department, responsible for the protection and valorisation of Eurac Research’s intellectual property (IP) and enhancing the value of research results by turning them into solutions useful to society, institutions, and the market — representing the central hub for knowledge transfer at Eurac Research. The KTO carries out the following main activities: /p ul liTraining and awareness – promotes an IP culture among researchers and staff, organizes courses, distributes confidentiality agreement templates, and helps researchers plan the protection of their results before disclosure. /li liDisclosure assistance and protection – analyses inventions and registers all new IP. /li liEvaluation and commercialization – supports the technical-commercial evaluation of research results. /li liPatenting support – assists researchers throughout the patenting process, from evaluating the innovative potential of scientific results to filing and protecting the patent. Provides technical and administrative assitance, coordinating relationships with specialized consultants.br/ /li /ul pWe are looking for a new team member to provide support in the development of Eurac Research’s patent portfolio. /p h3Mission of the Role /h3 pbThe Patent Engineer /b is the point of reference for patent matters for Eurac Research's scientists. The Patent Engineer supports the entire patenting process, from the identification of an invention and preventing its premature disclosure through to managing patent examination, with a focus on prior art searches, strategic analysis (commercial value, freedom-to-operate, geographic coverage), and drafting the patent application. /p h3Tasks: /h3 ul liInvention scouting – identifying, in close cooperation with our research staff, the research innovative results and defining the appropriate protection measures and commercialisation routes. /li liPrevention: manage the confidentiality of the results, invention traceability, ownership, and define correct inventorship. /li liPrior art search: conduct systematic searches across patent databases and scientific literature, documenting distinctiveness relative to prior art. /li liStrategic analysis: estimate commercial value, coordinate freedom-to-operate analysis, define geographic coverage. /li liApplication drafting: oversee the technical description, claims, drawings, and unity of invention together with the patent attorney. /li liFiling: choose between the direct route and the PCT route, manage deadlines /li liExamination: review search reports, coordinate responses to objections, monitor competing applications. /li liCross-cutting duties: manage the patent portfolio and act as the interface between researchers, patent attorneys, and patent offices /li liManage the IP protection, strategic analysis, cost benefit evaluation of IPR maintenance. /li liProvide internal advice, awareness training activites to researchers and institutes on IP and IPR matters. /li liManage relations with patent attorneys and external consultants. /li liEnsure alignment of IP practices with national and European regulations IP internal regulation. /li /ul h3Requirements: /h3 ul liMaster's degree in engineering, or a related technical field; a PhD is a plus; qualification as a registered patent attorney is preferred but not required. /li li2-3 years of experience in patent-related work, with demonstrated ability in prior art searching and drafting/reviewing patent applications. /li liKnowledge of patent law, filing procedures (national/EPO/PCT), and freedom-to-operate principles. /li liStrong communication skills, ability to manage multiple cases in parallel, fluency in Italian and English, knowledge of German is considered a plus. /li liPrevious work experience in an academic or research institution, preferably in the field of technology transfer, is a plus.. /li liAbility to liaise effectively with researchers, companies, law firms, and IP consultants. /li liKnowledge of software tools for patentability analysis and patent management. /li liExcellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills. /li liEnjoy working in a team and delivering a service to colleagues. /li liFriendly and self-confident. /li /ul h3We offer: /h3 ul liFull-time fixed-term contract / initially 1 year. /li liOpportunity to contribute to the development of Eurac Research’