Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Officer

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Officer to join our Knowledge Exchange & Commercialisation (KEC) team.

You will assist the Innovation & IP Manager and Head of Knowledge Exchange in converting academic research into commercially viable opportunities. This role involves managing IP formalities and documentation, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with IP deadlines. You will be responsible for developing marketing materials for IP engagement, managing a portfolio of innovation projects, and facilitating evaluations of invention disclosures. Additionally, you will play a key role in delivering IP training programmes.

It is essential that you can demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects independently. Familiarity with IP management systems and legal documentation processes is essential. You should have the capability to liaise effectively with academic staff and external IP attorneys, ensuring smooth communication and project execution.

In return, we offer an excellent benefits package including generous annual leave entitlement, pension scheme, induction and development support as well as family-friendly policies.

This is an exciting time to join the university as we deliver the LJMU Strategy 2030 and its vision of LJMU as an inclusive civic university transforming lives and futures, by placing students at the heart of everything we do.

If you feel that this is the role you have been looking for and your skills and experience can make a real difference at LJMU, we look forward to hearing from you.

Previous applicants need not apply.

LJMU is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and communities irrespective of age, transgender status, disability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion or belief.  All our appointments are made on merit.

Duties:

• Support the Innovation & IP Manager (IIP) with the provision of an extensive framework of internal communications including production and maintenance of marketing materials for engagement activities, ensuring a mainlined profile of IP activities across all Faculties.

• Co-ordinate and ensure accurate IP management system regarding formalities documentation and IP deadline requirements, ensuring accurate and complete records are always maintained.

• Administer and record all IP formalities. Work with colleagues and academics to secure completion/signatures on various confidential legal documents. (Including but not limited to power of attorney forms, IP declarations)

• Manage an independent portfolio of projects alongside the IIP managers portfolio, lead on the development of the innovation, follow internal and external policy and processes and ensure full compliance of each project.

• Work with the IIP and Head of KEC to grow the success and outcomes of LJMU’s Commercialisation/Innovation strategy by positive contribution and outputs from portfolio of new innovations.

• Liaise with academic staff to support and facilitate evaluations of invention and idea disclosures using patent databases, literature, and commercial sources of information.

• To help manage the relationship between researchers and external IP attorneys in relation to the status of patent applications and upcoming deadlines. This will include preparing specifications of complex IP contracts.

• Work with the Innovation & IP Manager to provide the Head of Knowledge Exchange with accurate and up to date data on all programme activity, including progress monitoring reports as required and requested.

• Support the Innovation & IP Manager with the development of IP training programmes and workshops for staff and students across the University, take responsibility for sole delivery as and when required.

• Advise and support staff in all aspects of intellectual property and commercial activity.

• Maintaining awareness of relevant legislation, Government initiatives and regional HE/Industry interactions that apply to the job scope including processes and legal requirements associated with International Patent applications.

• Support the Innovation & IP Manager and work with relevant RIS colleagues in developing new systems and processes required to deliver relevant activities across the University.

• Maintain accurate and effective administrative records and systems for the Commercialisation workstream, including but not limited to academic engagement in the use of Grants and Projects system and University external funding process and policy.

• To pro-actively work closely with other members of Research & Innovation Services and other Professional Services Teams as appropriate in order to deliver a coherent and coordinated service to internal and external clients

• Proactively keep up to date with emerging government policy and guidelines related to Intellectual property and commercialisation activities. Produce and disseminate related reports where required.

• Any other duties commensurate with the grade as deemed necessary by Innovation & IP Manager or Head of Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation.

• For some of your activity, from time to time, you may be required to contribute to externally funded projects.

Vacancy ref: 5006

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a distinctive, unique institution, rooted in the Liverpool City Region and with a global presence. Our students and staff, past, present, and future, are the beating heart of our city and can be found in every corner of every industry and community. We couldn’t exist anywhere else and have shaped the city in which we belong. Working with the people of Liverpool to improve lives and support communities is at the heart of why we were founded and why we exist today.