Services and Technology Transfer Intellectual Property Officer

Services and Technology Transfer – Intellectual Property Officer

Job Reference: Ref.25.25.302

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Services and Technology Transfer Office

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 24 months

Open Date for Applications: April 30th, 2025

Closing Date for Applications: May 21st, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #IPknowlegde #technologytransfer #comercialisation #projectmanagement

Overview

INL was created with the aim of boosting Nanotechnology research and its impact in society, at a Regional, Iberian and International level. Starting by putting together a world class research infrastructure, attracting top principal investigators (PIs), creating new know-how and intellectual property, collaborating with existing companies as well as stimulating the creation of new spin-off start-ups.

In order to pursue our strategic goals of innovation, INL is opening a position for an Officer in the Services and Technology Transfer Office (STTO).

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

Identify and evaluate potential IP generated within the organisation;

Manage the patenting process, including liaising with patent attorneys;

Maintain an up-to-date database of the organisation's IP portfolio;

Advise researchers on IP protection and best practices;

Assess the commercial potential of research outputs;

Develop and implement strategies for licensing, spin-offs, or industry partnerships;

Negotiate, draft, and manage licensing agreements and tech transfer deals;

Facilitate startup/spin-off creation based on research outputs;

Identify potential industry partners for technology commercialisation;

Build relationships with investors, companies, and public agencies for funding opportunities;

Organise networking events to connect researchers with industry stakeholders;

Oversee contracts related to IP, licensing, and R&D collaborations;

Work with legal teams and IP attorneys to resolve IP-related disputes or conflicts;

Conduct training sessions and workshops for researchers on IP and commercialisation;

Support the development of internal policies and guidelines for IP protection and tech transfer;

Provide regular reports on tech transfer performance and impact;

Support the implementation of innovation-related public funding programs.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

Graduated in any relevant field.

Experience and Technical Skills

Intellectual Property (IP) Knowledge

Deep understanding of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets;

Experience with IP protection strategies and patent filing processes;

Knowledge of licensing agreements and IP valuation.

Technology Transfer & Commercialisation

Ability to assess the commercial potential of research outputs;

Experience in negotiating tech transfer agreements (e.g., licensing, spin-offs);

Skills in preparing business cases for technology commercialisation.

Negotiation & Contract Management

Experience in drafting and managing contracts related to IP and tech transfer;

Experience in managing industry-academia collaborations.

Communication Skills

Experience in communicating complex IP and commercialisation processes to non-experts;

Ability to identify, select and interact with potential industry partners and investment opportunities.

Project Management & Strategic Thinking

Ability to manage and execute technology transfer projects.

Other Valued Skills

Experience working in RTOs or similar research environments;

Experience in technology transfer activities.

Personal Skills

Strong negotiation skills for licensing and collaboration agreements;

Strategic mind set to align tech transfer activities with institutional goals;

Strong organisational skills to track IP filings, agreements, and partnerships;

Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with researchers, legal experts and industry partners;

Ability to navigate complex deals and resolve conflicts;

Initiative and autonomy;

Capacity to work in a dynamic research environment with evolving technologies;

Proactive approach and a strong problem-solving skills to navigate IP, legal, financial, and technical transfer challenges;

Customer orientation;

Ability to work independently and as team player.

Our Benefits

Competitive salary;

Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;

Private health insurance;

Family allowances (according to family situation);

Nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);

Support for education fees of dependent children;

Relocation support;

30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a) Cover letter;

b) Curriculum Vitae;

c) Academic and/or Professional diplomas.

Online application instructions:

The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;

The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;

The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions.

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL ( is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.