Senior Patent Scientist

Description

A  full-time position for a Senior Patent Scientist is available in the  Intellectual Property & Technology Management department, at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.  The senior patent scientist assists the Director of IP with preparing and managing the Danforth Plant Science Center’s intellectual property portfolio. The individual will work closely with research and licensing teams to strategize, expand, and safeguard the center’s IP portfolio.

Responsibilities:

• Patent Portfolio Management:
  • Prepare patent applications, both domestically and internationally.
  • Collaborate with research teams to identify patentable innovations and ensure protection.
  • Oversee the maintenance of granted patents and manage renewals.

• Strategic IP Expansion:
  • Work closely with the Director of IP  to define the center's long-term IP strategy.
  • Identify opportunities for IP growth and diversification, freedom to operate analysis, etc.
  • Establish processes and frameworks to facilitate the identification and protection of intellectual property.

• IP Department Growth:
  • Assess the current structure of the IP department and propose changes or expansions to meet the center’s evolving needs.
  • Collaborate with external law firms and consultants as necessary.

• IP Education and Advocacy:
  • Develop and implement IP education programs for staff, fostering a culture of innovation.
  • Represent the center at industry events, conferences, and forums related to intellectual property.

• Risk Management:
  • Monitor industry developments to anticipate potential IP challenges or opportunities.
  • Advise leadership on potential risks and devise mitigation strategies.
  • Coordinate with the legal team to manage IP-related disputes or litigations.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Proven expertise in multiple biotech areas such as nucleic acids, peptides and proteins, vectors, vaccines, genome editing techniques, and plant-related technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting, prosecuting, and reviewing both U.S. and international patent applications. Ability to provide patentability reviews, freedom to operate opinions, and analyze patent landscapes.
• Demonstrable success in prior roles, such as successful grant applications, research leadership roles, and collaboration with renowned professionals in relevant fields.
• Prior connections or experiences with institutions or companies in the St. Louis region is advantageous.
• Goal oriented individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Able to organize, multitask their time efficiently and work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and interactive research environment
• Effective communication skills and ability to produce high-quality oral and written products
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Requires bachelor’s degree in area of specialty with 2 to 4 years of related experience. 

Submission:

• Cover letter clearly describing research interest and career goals
• CV
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

Founded in 1998, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We assemble interactive teams of scientists and develop unique platforms to discover underlying principles about how plants work. We then convert that knowledge into useful crops and products, and partner with organizations that are best positioned to solve problems where they exist around the world. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as well as charitable contributions from individuals, companies, and foundations.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact Human Resources, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.