Human natural lipid and oligosaccharide molecule-based food, cosmetic and health care products despite of being at high customer demand are currently not available at the market due to the complexity of their synthesis. CarboCode is a company that aspiring to improve human health and wellbeing by making human natural lipid and oligosaccharide molecules widely available. CarboCode core capabilities spans a variety of technologies spanning through advanced chemical synthesis, to biocatalysis and biotechnological production.  This exciting position is a great opportunity for you to work for a developer and manufacturer of a wide range of innovative human care products including food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, supporting world-class R&D, large-scale manufacturing and commercial operations.

The global patent portfolio of CarboCode include protection of a variety of technologies, from advanced chemical synthesis, biocatalysis and biotechnological production of biological molecules to nutritional and medical care of human health and cosmetical products. You will have exposure to the company's new technologies working closely with the scientists that develop them to support the company's culture of innovation and build a valuable patent portfolio to protect it. 

This newly created role will provide you the opportunity to help grow and shape the company's global patent portfolio for today and the future. In turn, you will have the opportunity to grow as IP professional constantly developing your skills and enhancing your confidence by driving patent policy and procedure for the company, sharing your patent and technical knowledge and running patent committees. 


Duties and Responsibilities

- Harvest inventions and draft high quality new patent applications;
- Day-to-day strategic management of patent portfolio to drive value to the business;
- Assist outside patent counselor in worldwide patent filing and prosecution, offensive and defensive post-grant proceedings in accordance with the company strategic line;
- Provide FTO assessments and competitive landscaping: coordinate with R&D and business development to develop appropriate data package and work independently or with outside services/counsel to conduct searches and assessments, advise the business on risks and options during various stages of product development through launch;

- Establish a close working relationship with R&D scientists during the entire product lifecycle and provide clear and practical patent advice to the business;

 - Opportunity to provide formal representation before the EPO: filings, communications, drafting and filing office action responses, oral proceedings
and stage-gate based patent assessments for the business units;

- Provide IP training within organization

- Fully or partly qualified European/US Patent Attorney, or EQE candidate with 3+ experience of counseling in the field of Intellectual Property;
-  Educational background to degree level (MSc, PhD) in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical, Chemical or Biomedical Engineering, or in similar fields;

- Experience in drafting and prosecuting biotech patent applications and analyzing third-party patents;

- Experience with in-house counselling, drafting and prosecuting biotech patent applications and knowledge of post-grant procedures at EPO and US PTO is advantage

Personal Attributes

-  You will be working with IP professionals, both in-house and external counsels, as well scientists, engineers and marketing within an international organization, so productive team working and excellent communication skills tailored to your audience are essential. 
- You will guide and counsel the business on strategic patenting, landscaping, and product development and launch initiatives from the patent perspective, so excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail are essential. 
- You will have a high level of autonomy, so you must be a self-starter and be able to manage your workload to align with the company's priorities. Importantly, you will use your patent expertise and business focus to directly influence and support the company's competitive advantage in the industry;

- You have a passion for knowledge and continuous learning;

- You are enthusiastic and highly engaged team player;

A full time employment with attractive contractual conditions, location in Konstanz, Germany (or in Cantanede, Portugal), an interesting, diversified and challenging job and an essential and respectful position within a modern, dynamic, international environment where you will have the opportunity for professional and personal growth.