Senior IP Searcher

The IP Searcher plays a crucial role in supporting the IP team and broader business through carrying out, managing and coordinating comprehensive patent and trademark searches, maintaining records and managing regular IP monitoring activities within the IP team. The IP Searcher must possess strong research skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of IP databases and search techniques, including sequence searching and chemical sub-structure searching. Additionally, the IP Searcher works independently to coordinate and instruct external counsel and external search organisations on behalf of CSL and the IP team. The role includes developing and evolving the search capabilities of the IP function and may also include mentoring and overseeing work by a trainee/junior searcher. You will report to the Head of IP Digital & Technologies (IP LT).

Responsibilities and accountabilities

• In conjunction with attorneys, design, coordinate and/or conduct IP searches using various databases and resources to identify relevant prior art, patents, trademarks and other technical or commercial information, including keyword, sequence and chemical substructure searching. ["commercial" is information on 3rd party sales; tracking of Gx API movement or Gx development/launch readiness; license or other commercial relationships that could be relevant e.g. in due diligences or Rx-Gx/Rx-Rx conflicts.]

• Bachelor degree in a life sciences discipline (chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology) or a related field, preferably Masters or PhD qualification
  
• Certification/qualifications in patent and/or trademark searching highly regarded
  
• Minimum 5 years, preferably 8+ years, experience as patent searcher especially in life sciences disciplines
  
• Experience with keyword, sequence and chemical substructure searching highly regarded
  
• Experience using public and commercial patent databases such as USPTO, EPO, WIPO, Derwent Innovation, PatBase, SciFinder or equivalent platforms and databases
  
• Demonstrated understanding of patent and trademark classification systems, patent law, trademark law, and patent and trademark prosecution
  
• Computer literacy including knowledge of O365 applications, spreadsheets and ability to use databases including IP related databases and registers
  
• Prepared to effectively manage commitments across different time zones