National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Senior Intellectual Property Manager
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This role offers a unique opportunity to maximise the impact of NPL’s diverse and fascinating intellectual property portfolio. NPL plays a distinctive role in advancing science and engineering for the benefit of the UK, and our IP is central to delivering that impact.
Intellectual Property plays a vital role in underpinning NPL’s work and enabling the adoption of our technologies across industry and society. We have a strong track record of commercialisation, with our IP supporting the growth of UK businesses and helping bring innovative NPL technologies to market through a range of routes, including spin-outs, licensing, and NPL’s own products and services.
Recent examples include:
- DAART – a digital metrology platform for radiotherapy audits.
- A new miniature atomic clock – developed by NPL and now being commercialised in partnership with an external organisation.
- Thermology Health – an NPL spin-out that has developed the world’s most accurate thermal imaging platform, enabling earlier diagnostics through ultra-precise temperature measurement combined with AI-driven analytics.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced IP specialist to lead IP management and strategic planning activities that protect NPL’s freedom to operate while maximising the impact of IP generated across the organisation.
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Working within a close knit, experienced and friendly team of IP specialists in the Customer Directorate, you will collaborate closely with science teams, technology transfer and legal colleagues, as well as external patent attorneys and partner organisations. You will play a key role in identifying, protecting and exploiting intellectual property arising from NPL’s cutting-edge research and innovation.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing invention disclosures and recommending the most appropriate protection strategies.
- Conducting IP due diligence activities and unencumbering IP assets to enable commercialisation.
- Working alongside product owners to ensure IP strategies align with and strengthen the commercial objectives and business plans for individual innovations.
- Structuring, negotiating and advising on IP transactions and IP terms within third-party agreements.
- Identifying IP-related risks and recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Managing a broad and technically diverse IP portfolio, including protection of registered and unregistered IP rights and management of associated budgets.
- Raising awareness and understanding of IP across the organisation by developing and delivering training, and acting as a trusted first point of contact for IP-related queries.
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About You
The ideal candidate will combine excellent interpersonal and communication skills with intellectual curiosity, commercial awareness and strong attention to detail.
Experience required:
- A strong technical background, educated to degree level in Science or Engineering, preferably with a postgraduate qualification.
- Hands-on experience in technology transfer and/or managing a science-based IP portfolio within a research organisation, academic institution or similar environment.
- A demonstrable interest in innovation and the commercialisation of research.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, including scientists, senior leaders, prospective investors, collaborators and licensees.
- Demonstrated experience of managing a wide range of IP activities, both independently and as part of a dynamic team, with the ability to prioritise effectively against wider business objectives.
- Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to shape and secure appropriate IP terms and develop practical solutions to complex commercial and intellectual property challenges.
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