MindMaze is a leading neurotechnology start-up pioneering a breakthrough computing platform that captures brain activity upon intent, creating a new operating system for computers  and a new generation of brain computer interface products, using virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). Based on a decade of rigorous testing in the healthcare industry, the company has designed intuitive mind/machine interfaces, which utilize pre real-time decoding of brain signals and is able to track fine movements and gestures. Its innovations are poised to transform industries, starting with healthcare and gaming.  Its first generation products (MINDMOTION™ Pro and MINDMOTION™ Go) are aimed at rehabilitation following strokes, accidents or neurological impairments.

The company is seeking to hire a Patents Manager, who could grow with the company and its future needs, working out of its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Join our diverse mix of international scientists, physicists, engineers and clinicians to help change the world!

As MindMaze’s Patents Manager you will manage and keep track of the company’s growing patent portfolio in order to protect MindMaze’s key inventions.

In particular, you will:

• Interact and coordinate with the engineering, research and product departments on a wide range of development and patent matters involving software, hardware and life science applications;
• Draft and prosecute patent applications;
• Conduct freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses;
• Manage external foreign IP agents (US, EPO and CN) with regard to drafting, filing, prosecution, and opinion work;
• Conduct due diligence evaluations for potential patent acquisitions or licensing deals;
• Review and screen invention disclosure forms and any publications before they issue.

Required:

• A qualification as a US patent attorney or agent (or equivalent experience);
  
• At least 1 year of patent prosecution experience, post-qualification;
• Familiarity with patent and non-patent literature databases;
• Some experience in managing or coordinating international patent dockets and deadlines;
• Experience integrating different technologies (preferably IT and Life Sciences);
• Significant programming experience, e.g. C++, Python, JavaScript or a related framework;
• Fluent oral and written English, at a professional and technical level.

Icing on the cake:

• European Patent Office experience or qualification;
• Patent experience in VR/AR/AI or SLAM, chip design, brain/computer interface technologies or big data;
• Some experience with licensing transactions, or research and collaboration agreements;
• Some experience handling trademark, designs, trade secrets and/or copyright issues (e.g., registrations in the USA);
• An understanding of open source project issues and experience in designing software projects;
• A Github repository of your own;
• Familiarity with Innography, Patsnap or similar patent search tools;
• Conversational French;
• Prior corporate or start-up experience;
• Available to start work in Lausanne as of March 1, 2018.

To be successful it is essential that you have the following abilities:

• Excellent communication skills: ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; ability to get messages across that have the desired effect;
• Excellent interpersonal skills: being approachable; putting others at ease; being sensitive to and patient with the concerns of others; being a good listener and knowing how to seek clarity through constructive conversations and dialogue; working well with others, as a team member;
• Action and Outcome-Orientation: being a hard worker who is pragmatic and action- as well as outcome-oriented, with the ability to motivate others to act and focus on tasks you perceive as  challenging;                                
• Flexibility: Willingness to adapt and to adjust to the needs of a demanding and multi-cultural start-up environment; not fearful of acting with minimal planning or instructions;
• Autonomy & Indendence: able to take initiative and work independently; willing to set your own tasks and deadlines and provide direction under limited supervision;
• Project Management: setting objectives and goals for others; breaking down work into the process steps; developing schedules and task/people assignments; anticipating and adjusting to problems and roadblocks;
• Problem Solving: Being detail-focused and methodical; using rigorous logic and methods to spot and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; provide clear and proactive feedback and analysis; be prepared to go deeply into issues and probe behind simple answers.

Don't apply if:

• You do not thrive working with engineers and R&D teams;
• Innovation and a lack of clear precedents make you nervous;
• You do not know how to work hard as well as enjoy life outside of work;
• You’re seeking a springboard to a new job within the next three years;
• You are not willing to move to western Switzerland or nearby France.