Application Open:
Full-Time
MBZUAI is seeking an Intellectual Property (IP) Specialist to support the protection and management of the University’s intellectual assets by overseeing disclosure, filing, and portfolio management processes. The role engages with internal stakeholders of faculty and researchers to identify new inventions, ensures accurate maintenance of IP records, and coordinates with external patent agents and legal counsel on drafting, filing, and prosecution of patents and trademarks. The Specialist will provide guidance on disclosure procedures, reviews IP-related terms in agreements, and delivers awareness sessions to build institutional understanding of IP processes. In addition, the role is responsible for preparing compliant documentation for filings, monitoring portfolio progress, and generating regular reports on IP status, costs, and outcomes to inform management decisions.
Key responsibilities
- Faculty Engagement & Scouting: Engage with faculty and research departments to identify new inventions, encourage timely disclosures, and promote awareness of IP opportunities.
- Intellectual Asset Management: Oversee the collection, review, and secure maintenance of all university intellectual assets using standardized disclosure processes.
- Disclosure Review & Assessment: Evaluate submitted disclosures against institutional and commercial criteria to determine protection and commercialization potential
- Patent & Legal Coordination: Collaborate with external patent agents and legal counsel on the drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patents and trademarks.
- IP Portfolio Oversight: Manage and track the full IP portfolio including disclosures, filings, renewals, and trademarks using the Minuet platform.
- Contractual IP Support: Review research, collaboration, and licensing agreements to ensure appropriate inclusion and protection of IP terms.
- Filing & Compliance: Prepare and manage documentation for provisional, non-provisional, PCT, and national phase filings, ensuring compliance with local and international patent regulations.
- Faculty & Student Support: Provide guidance on IP processes, disclosure forms, and best practices to faculty, researchers, and students.
- Awareness & Training: Deliver educational sessions and workshops to build IP awareness and strengthen institutional IP culture.
- Monitoring & Reporting: Generate regular reports on IP status, costs, and outcomes to inform management decisions and strategy.
Day to day responsibilities
- Institutional Strategy: Ensure timely collection and provision of intellectual property (IP) data, invention disclosures, patent applications, licensing activities, and research progress reports to management, recommending process improvements that enhance institutional decision-making and strategic planning. Review and analyze research project outputs (e.g., inventions, prototypes, publications, software, algorithms) to identify IP opportunities, assess risks of disclosure, and recommend protective measures to safeguard institutional interests. Ensure that IP-related activities, including patent filings, copyright registrations, and licensing agreements, are fully aligned with MBZUAI’s research priorities, innovation goals, and institutional strategic objectives.
- Financial & Organizational Coordination: Support accurate forecasting and demand planning by providing IP-related data (e.g., anticipated patent filing costs, licensing revenues, and legal fees) to inform resource allocation across research projects. Contribute to effective budget utilization by monitoring and optimizing IP expenditures, ensuring cost-efficient management of patent portfolios, renewals, and enforcement activities. Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration between researchers, legal advisors, engineering teams, and core labs to promote awareness of IP policies, foster knowledge transfer, and ensure integration of IP protection measures across all projects.
Academic Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in law, Engineering, or Computer Science (AI-related background desirable) or a related field.
- Postgraduate degree in a related field will be strongly preferred.
Professional Experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience in intellectual property management, preferably in AI or software focused environments.
- Knowledge of patent laws, filing systems (USPTO, PCT, UAE, etc.), and IP databases.
- Familiarity with IP unique to AI, software, datasets, and open-source licensing.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work effectively across cultures and multidisciplinary teams.
- Understanding of AI-related technologies (datasets, algorithms, models, software) is an advantage.
