Intellectual Property Specialist

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST

(Payclass 11; Permanent)

RESEARCH CONTRACTS AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT (RC&I)

In addition to negotiating research contracts entered into with our wide variety of funders, RC&I fulfills the role of a “Technology Transfer Office” managing Intellectual Property (IP), maturing technologies and ultimately commercialising IP through licensing or spin-off company creation (innovation). We invite applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for this permanent post. The IP Specialist works with staff and postgraduate students to identify and assess potentially protectable IP emanating from their research. A close relationship is maintained with researchers to raise awareness of IP and to scout for new inventions. Due diligence is conducted to select the best mode of IP protection, assess patentability and prior art, establish inventorship, liaise with joint owners of the IP and understand funder obligations and rights. The IP Specialist works with an Innovation Commercialisation Manager to establish the commercial potential or societal benefit of the IP. A portfolio of cases is managed by the IP Specialist, by using the Inteum database and implementing the RC&I Stage-Gate process and contributing to the report on which Gate Review decisions, regarding whether the next stage of IP protection should be pursued, are based. In certain instances, the Specialist is also responsible for the commercialisation of the IP.

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Closing date: 06 November 2024                               Reference:                 ID 821

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at http://www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/policies/employ_equity

 UCT reserves the right not to appoint.