Position Summary

AskBio IP department is recruiting a Contract Specialist with life science and intellectual property (IP) experience. The IP Contract Specialist will be instrumental in securing IP rights for AskBio by reviewing, negotiating, and drafting IP provisions during all aspects of the contract lifecycle, from initial proposal through contract closeout and monitoring. This role requires a scientific background in molecular biology or biochemistry (or other relevant life sciences) and 2+ years of experience with contract review. Experience with complex agreements and identifying and fielding IP issues, or having a significant level of patent experience, is highly preferred. The position requires a keen eye for detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with various stakeholders, including scientific, clinical, business, IP, and legal teams. The IP Contract Specialist will work directly with a Patent Manager, in all areas of contracts including, but not limited to, contract workflow execution, maintenance, organization, analyses, interaction with scientists to understand statements of work or agreement background, and research or therapeutic workflow. Job responsibilities can expand to other patent related matters commensurate with work experience.

Job Responsibilities

• Work directly with a Patent Manager in all areas of contract workflow including but not limited to:
• Analyzing, drafting, negotiating, and revising IP sections of legal documents in a timely manner while meeting all applicable timelines.
• Exemplary legal documents, including license agreements, clinical trial agreements, collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements, option agreements, and others
• Collaborating with scientific, clinical, business, IP, and legal teams for throughout a contract workflow; from term sheet negotiation to execution, which may include use of a contract management system
• Organization; creating and maintaining charts of contracts and IP provisions for future reference
• Interacting with scientists to understand agreement background and statements of work, as well as research or therapeutic workflow as it relates to contracts
• Coordinate or assist with other IP-related activities and special projects as requested
• Job responsibilities can expand to other patent related matters commensurate with work experience

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biological life sciences (Biology, Molecular biology, Biochemistry or related field)
• Minimum of two years' experience with commercial contracts at an academic institution, life science company, or in a law firm setting
• Minimum of one year of Intellectual property, e.g. patent specialist, or patent agent, or equivalent level of experience
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of tools and the ability to quickly learn new tools, including contract management tools
  

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

• Master's degree in biological life sciences (Biology, Molecular biology, Biochemistry or related field)
• Experience identifying and addressing IP issues in complex agreements
• Keen attention to detail including strong organizational, analytical, proofreading, editing and research skills
• Ability to effectively analyze and communicate contractual issues as they pertain to intellectual property and to collaborate across broad functional and organizational lines with various stakeholders, including scientific, clinical, business, IP, and legal teams
• Ability to exercise good judgment and to maintain a high-quality performance with competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to adjust priorities when required
• Strong communication (both oral and written), collaboration and interpersonal skills
• Self-starter who is adept at working in a team environment
• Ability to work independently and think independently while identifying problems and offering solutions
• Ability to work under supervision and collaboratively