Oxford Quantum Circuits
Head of IP & Innovation
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
At OQC
At OQC, we aren’t just theorising about the future; we’re building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we’ve successfully transitioned quantum computing from an academic dream into a commercial reality.
The most exciting thing is that we’re just getting started and we’ve recently closed our £260 million Series C funding round - the largest fundraise ever completed by a quantum computing company in Europe.
The Purpose
As our Head of IP & Innovation, you’ll be OQC’s internal authority on intellectual property, shaping how we identify, protect and leverage the innovations and know-how behind our technology.
Working at the intersection of science, engineering, legal and commercial strategy, you’ll build an IP framework that protects our competitive advantage without slowing innovation, giving our teams the confidence to invent, collaborate and take quantum technology further.
Please note that we also welcome candidates who would like to work 4 days per week on a 80% FTE salary basis.
The Role
This is a high-impact role with significant autonomy and visibility across OQC.
Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you’ll own the day-to-day management of our IP portfolio and invention pipeline while developing the strategy, governance and culture needed to manage IP effectively as OQC scales globally.
You’ll work directly with scientists and engineers to uncover potentially valuable inventions, translate complex technical developments into protection strategies, and ensure IP thinking happens early, not after the innovation has happened.
Beyond protecting what we create, you’ll help OQC understand where our IP can strengthen our competitive position, enable strategic collaborations and potentially unlock new commercial opportunities.
What You'll Be Working On
- Shape OQC’s IP strategy: Develop and implement our intellectual property strategy, aligning portfolio decisions and protection priorities with OQC’s technology and commercial ambitions.
- Own our portfolio and invention pipeline: Manage patents, invention disclosures, trade secrets and proprietary know-how, creating robust processes to identify, evaluate, protect and track valuable IP.
- Get close to the technology: Lead invention and IP workshops with scientists and engineers, translating cutting-edge technical developments into practical protection strategies.
- Protect our freedom to innovate: Monitor competitor patent activity, oversee freedom-to-operate work and strengthen how we protect confidential information, trade secrets and external technical disclosures.
- Enable commercial and strategic activity: Advise on IP ownership, licensing and technology rights across customer agreements, research collaborations, strategic partnerships, fundraising, due diligence and international programmes.
- Build an IP-first culture: Create practical training and guidance covering invention disclosures, confidentiality, publications, open-source software, AI usage, customer demonstrations and confidential information.
- Scale the IP operating model: Establish governance, SOPs, records, KPIs and reporting across OQC’s global operations, while managing external patent attorneys and specialist IP advisers effectively.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What We're Looking For
- Significant hands-on IP experience within technology, deep tech or another complex technical environment, with strong capability across IP strategy, patents, inventions, trade secrets and confidential know-how.
- A track record of working closely with scientists, engineers or other highly technical specialists to identify innovation and determine the right approach to protection.
- Experience leading complex IP matters with substantial autonomy, combining technical, legal and commercial considerations to make clear recommendations and knowing when strategic issues require escalation.
- Evidence that you’ve built or materially improved IP processes and governance, rather than simply administering an established portfolio.
- Experience managing external patent attorneys, IP advisers or other specialist advisers, alongside advising internal stakeholders on ownership, licensing, protection and collaboration matters.
- The ability to understand complex technical information, spot IP implications and communicate them clearly to senior, technical and non-technical audiences.
- A relevant legal, IP, scientific or technical background – or equivalent practical experience – combined with strong judgement, organisation and the ability to influence across multiple teams and priorities.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
The 'Nice-to-Haves'
- Experience with quantum technologies or another deep-tech field such as semiconductors, advanced computing, photonics or advanced engineering.
- Qualification as a UK and/or European Patent Attorney, solicitor or other relevant IP professional.
- A degree or equivalent technical background in physics, engineering, computer science or another deep-tech discipline.
- Experience supporting IP due diligence for fundraising, investment or strategic transactions.
- Exposure to international IP matters, research collaborations or government-funded programmes.
- Hands-on experience conducting or coordinating freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Experience with technology licensing or identifying opportunities to commercially leverage an IP portfolio.
Why Join OQC
You will join a world-class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.
Learn more about our benefits and positive work culture here: https://oqc.tech/company/careers-at-oqc
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location