Intellectual Property Specialist

Summary

The UT MD Anderson Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) translates institutional research into market-ready drugs, devices, diagnostics, and therapies. Part of the broader Strategic Industry Ventures team, it protects intellectual property, markets inventions, negotiates licenses with biotech and pharma partners, and helps launch faculty-led startup companies.

The Intellectual Property Specialist facilitates the licensing and commercialization of technology developed at the institution by working with faculty and staff to identify and evaluate new inventions, marketing to and initiating contacts with potential licensees, and negotiating and closing licensing agreements.

The ideal candidate will have exposure to oncology subject matter through technology evaluation, intellectual property assessment, or research translation activities. Strong collaboration skills and the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts with faculty are essential. Candidates located outside Texas must be open to relocating to the Texas or greater Houston area to support weekly onsite meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluates new invention disclosures for patentability and technical merit through review of disclosure materials, prior art searching, and consultation with inventors.
• Prepares internal assessments and recommendations to support decisions regarding patent filing.
• Manages patent prosecution activities for assigned matters, working directly with outside counsel and inventors to guide drafting, filing, and response strategies.
• Coordinates prosecution actions and advance intellectual property protection, consulting with senior staff as appropriate to ensure alignment with institutional policies and portfolio objectives.
• Serves as a primary contact for faculty inventors regarding invention disclosures and patent prosecution activities.
• Facilitates communication between inventors and outside counsel and provide guidance on disclosure preparation and the patent prosecution process.
• Collaborates with internal team members to support coordinated intellectual property portfolio development, contributing technical insight and participating in evaluation discussions related to inventions and ongoing patent matters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Why join UT MD Anderson?

At UT MD Anderson, we offer careers built on care, growth, and balance. Our employees enjoy a benefits package designed to support every stage of life, starting on day one.

• Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
• Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
• Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
• Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups

EDUCATION

• Required: Bachelor's Degree in a Biological Science or related field.
• Preferred: PhD in a biological science related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: Three years in intellectual property protection, commercialization, and/or biotechnology technology transfer.
• With preferred degree six months of exposure to activities involving technology evaluation, intellectual property assessment, or research translation gained through internships, fellowships, commercialization training programs, or similar experiential roles.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, paid time off , retirement , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 181163
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 92,500
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 115,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 138,500
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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