Ip Manager And Advisor

The Role

The Strategic Translation and Commercialisation (ST&C) directorate leads transactions derived from the intellectual property (IP) originating from within research divisions of the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). From early-stage concept planning through to finalisation and completion of translation and commercialisation agreements. 

ST&C provides DSTG with best practice intellectual property (IP) expertise covering strategic positioning and advice, management and finalisation of a transaction, primarily to fast-track development of capability for the Australian Defence Force, and secondarily, to provide additional benefits to Australian industry and the Australian economy. 

The ST&C Team is seeking a professionally qualified commercially focused IP practitioner with demonstrable skills and expertise to add value to translation and commercialisation development outcomes.

Your core duties include but aren’t limited to:  

• Advice: responding to IP requests coming from Defence researchers and/or staff handling contracts and partnership arrangements
• Management: of registrable IP (patents, trademarks, designs) and selection, engagement and management of external patent attorneys’ relationships, including finance and administrative tasks on top of any substantive case work, such as determination of when and where to file IP applications, and management of an inventory of unlicensed cases from a financial perspective.
• Audit and Discovery: evaluation and analysis of opportunities and complex new invention disclosures, including initial review, meeting with inventor(s), identifying industry reviewers, making contact, and sending material.
• Transactions: Assisting with developing translation and commercialisation strategies for significant projects, identifying potential licensees, negotiating terms, preparing draft agreements, and closing the deal.

You will be involved in wide range of technology translation-related activities by strategically positioning IP and managing inventions resulting from Defence agreements, research programs and alliances. If you love and appreciate IP as a valuable, transactable asset, this role is for you. A thorough knowledge of contracts and their key terms and clauses as they relate to IP in transaction documents would be ideal.

About our Team

Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) is the Australian Government’s lead agency charged with applying science and technology to protect and defend Australia and its national interests. It delivers expert, impartial advice and innovative solutions for Defence and other elements of national security. Strategic Translation and Commercialisation is responsible for providing DSTG with best practice intellectual property (IP) experience and management and providing both strategic and practical technology translation and business commercialisation expertise to fast-track development of advanced capability for the Australian Defence Force.

ST&C measures itself by its ability to deliver outputs that are well on the pathway to attaining maximum impact for Defence, with additional spill-over benefits assisting Australian industry and the Australian economy in the cases where technologies have one or more non-Defence applications.

Our Ideal Candidate

The preferred candidate is resilient, organised with excellent attention to detail, an effective communicator encompassing excellent written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal communication skills, can build productive relationships with colleagues and clients on all levels and works effectively as part of a team, and is able to undertake and prioritise individual tasks when required. Professionally educated in Intellectual Property (IP). Practitioner’s expertise covering strategy, creation, management, advisory, contract terms and clauses, audit and transactions as relates to IP is required as is a desire to be part of a dynamic, creative, fast-acting commercialisation team. 

Demonstrable skills over a broad range of IP commercialisation activities and a practical knowledge of IP contracting and IP financial management as relates to commercialisation of technology based on standard/sensitive/strategic IP would be highly desirable. Along with a positive can-do attitude, additional demonstrated experience in an academic, private industry or public research organisation would be highly regarded.

Application Closing Date: Wednesday 24 April, 2024

For further information please review the job information pack, reference DSTG/02940/24 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=03EA5AAF-5A4E-EEBB-4813-DAA538875E7A