Patent Docketing and Compliance Assistant

Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of Assistant Director for Intellectual Property, Patent Docketing and Compliance Assistant manages the day‐to‐day patent administration of an advanced and complex nature including oversight and management patent docketing, patent compliance and reporting requirements.

Workplace Requirements

The possibility of a remote or hybrid work environment may be considered depending on location. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.”

Annual Hiring Range: $56,000 - $63,000. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• 2 years experience in intellectual property management, academic technology transfer, compliance or as patent paralegal
• In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
  

Skills

• Familiarity with USPTO rules and procedures
• Excellent ability to effectively manage shifting priorities and adaptable to changing demands in a fast-paced dynamic environment
• Exceptional ability to maintain confidentiality in open work environment
• Excellent organizational skills and detail oriented
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in computer word processing, spreadsheet and database programs
• Patent docketing knowledge and experience with CPI, iEdison, and/or similar software preferred
  
  

Preferences

• Paralegal certificate preferred
  
  

Essential Functions

• Responsible for responding to and determining patent case statuses and next steps
• Reports inventions and commercialization statuses to the government per Bayh‐Dole Act
• Determines the university obligations to sponsors based on contracts and work with intellectual property managers to fulfill obligations
• Manages and directs annuity service provider in payment of annuity and maintenance fees and provide service with reports as needed
• Directs outside counsel on basic patent prosecution decisions under supervision from Assistant Director, Intellectual Property
• Investigates and resolves discrepancies related to patent records or database errors
• Generates docket reports and supports the intellectual property team to ensure adherence to all deadlines
• Reports inventions to the appropriate funding agencies
• Prepares licenses to the government as appropriate
• Trains faculty and staff on Bayh‐Dole compliance
• Creates and manages patent portfolio docket calendar
• Trains and mentors support staff as needed
• Performs all other duties as assigned
  
  

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.