IP & Portfolio Manager

i2cat Foundation is seeking a candidate with a keen interest in technology transfer, specifically in transitioning research findings to the market and the mechanisms of licensing and creating spin-offs.

This role is part of the Knowledge and Technology Marketing area, which is responsible for preparing research results so that business units can bring them to market. This area also channels unmet needs back to the research teams. The preparation of research results includes evaluating commercial potential, protecting intellectual property, defining a business model, and launching products.

You will join a team that includes a Tech Product Manager, who maintains a market perspective for technologies throughout their lifecycle, and a Marketing Manager, who bridges the gap between technology and business during commercialization and market intelligence processes.

Within this area, the IP and Portfolio Manager is responsible for maintaining an excellent intellectual property (IP) portfolio for our assets. This ensures that, when commercial opportunities arise, there are no conflicts regarding ownership, freedom to operate, and usage/exploitation rights.

The candidate is expected to:

• Develop and implement strategies to protect and manage IP assets.


• Ensure that all IP-related processes are proactive and aligned with commercial opportunities.


• Serve as a key advisor to researchers and business units on IP matters, facilitating seamless commercialization of technologies.

The position is also responsible for maintaining an excellent intellectual property (IP) portfolio for our assets, ensuring that commercial opportunities are free of conflicts regarding ownership, freedom to operate, and usage/exploitation rights.

Some tasks:

• Manage the invention disclosure process.


• Oversee the protection of research results.


• Analyze patentability and manage patent applications with patent agents.


• Assess third-party dependencies on results.


• Track IP rights and their renewals.


• Evaluate generated intangible assets.


• Write public and private funding proposals to valorize assets.


• Manage projects for valorizing research results.


• Propose business models and types of licensing (commercial and open source).


• Define key licensing terms and participation in spin-off companies (shareholder agreements).


• Address IP management questions and conflicts from researchers, project managers, and business teams in projects, contracts, and negotiations.


• Propose and conduct internal training on IP and technology transfer based on the organization’s maturity.


• Track i2CAT’s participation in companies and provide management recommendations.


• Suggest improvements to i2CAT’s IP management policies and processes.


• Monitor returns from IP exploitation and internal distribution according to internal policy.


• Generate and update IP documentation and indicators in internal repositories.

Expectations:

• Within the first month, the candidate is expected to become familiar with the technology portfolio and policies.


• By six months, the candidate should have taken charge of managing the key processes.


• In the long term, the candidate is expected to be a promoter of the technology transfer culture at i2CAT and propose initiatives that enhance the organization’s impact.

Who we are:

The i2CAT Foundation is a non-profit research and innovation center that promotes mission-driven R&D activities on advanced Internet architectures, applications, and services. More than 15 years of international research define our expertise in the fields of 5G, IoT, VR, and Immersive Technologies, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, AI, and Digital Social Innovation. The center partners with companies, public administration, academia, and end-users to leverage this knowledge in order to meet real social and business challenges.

The greatest value of i2CAT is the talent of the people who make up our human team. We enjoy a team of people from more than 13 different nationalities and work every day to create and foster a work environment where we all feel comfortable creating, innovating and growing.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage! www.i2cat.net

What will you enjoy?

• Work from our offices or from home, whichever works best for you. We only ask for one day in person at the office to coordinate with the rest of the team.


• This is a full-time vacancy.


• We have a flexible work schedule respecting your work-life balance.


• Reduced working hours on Fridays and in July and August.


• Fix + variable salary based on objectives.


• You decide wether you preferr to receive your salary in 12 or 14 payments.


• Optional benefits: Configure your salary according to your needs. We offer you the option of restaurant vouchers, public transport vouchers, nursery services, and medical insurance.


• Annual leave of 27 working days.


• We have fruit in the office to promote a healthy lifestyle


• Free coffee and tea.


• If you are interested, you can participate in events of your sector.


• You will work with a laptop. You can choose your operative system, Mac, Linux or Windows.


• Company social and team-building events (virtual & in-person).


• You can develop your own and personal training programme with our support.


• We will work so that you have a career plan to promote your growth and development.

Where will you do it?

At i2CAT we already have an established ‘work-from-home’ policy for some time. You can work from home or from the office, whichever suits you best. We expect that you attend the office one day per week to stay connected with your team and to engage with other colleagues

If you decide to come to the office, we are located in Zona Universitària, next to the Campus Nord of the UPC, within a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment. It is a very well-connected area (metro, tram, bus) with bars and restaurants around.

Our offices are designed with an open-office concept where everything is light and transparency. We have a variety of workspaces so that you don't have to be at the same table all day.

i2CAT is an organization committed to equal opportunities. That is why we seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented, and therefore explicitly encourage female candidates to apply.

I2CAT is an organization committed to creating an environment where we celebrate diversity, and where we provide the dedicated support that our employees need, regardless of their disability.

If what you have read sounds good to you... let’s have a coffee and we will tell you more!

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Minimum requirements:

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in industrial and intellectual property management (minimum of 2 years).


• Proficiency in English, Catalan, and Spanish, with the ability to read legal documentation in these languages.


• Experience in writing public and private funding proposals.


• Excellent analytical, synthesis, and organizational skills.

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of software licensing (main software open source licenses)


• Experience working in a research center.


• Experience in the digital domain.


• Degree in telecommunications engineering or computer science.


• Experience in company formation (shareholder agreements, legal matters, fundraising) and in mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Candidates applying are required to submit the following documents:

• Motivation letter – Mandatory


• CV (blind CVs are accepted) – Mandatory


• Degree certificates – Optional