**Posting Title** Patent Agent – Biochemistry and Biotechnology Focused . **Location** CO - Golden . **Position Type** Regular . **Hours Per Week** 40 . **Working at NREL** Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities. At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees. **Learn about NREL’s critical objectives:** NREL's Mission and Vision (https://vimeo.com/1046971396/33d4425db1?share=copy) . **Job Description** This position will be part of the Intellectual Property Group within the Office of General Counsel. The successful patent agent will be responsible for a substantial active patent docket for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), including domestic and foreign matters. This position requires a solid foundation in molecular biology, biochemistry, or biochemical engineering, and the demonstrated ability to draft and prosecute patent applications in the biotechnology arts, including genetic engineering of microorganisms. In this role, the patent agent will primarily work closely with NREL’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and NREL research staff in identifying, evaluating, and protecting the rights to patentable intellectual property, consistent with Federal and State laws, NREL’s Management & Operating Contract, and NREL and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) rules, regulations, and policies. Activities will include reviewing Records of Invention (ROIs) for patentability, performing prior art searches and analyses, meeting with NREL research staff to discuss ROIs and related patent matters, and ensuring compliance with DOE reporting deadlines. Preparation and prosecution of patent applications is expected to be predominantly performed in-house, where possible. This includes drafting patent applications for domestic and international (PCT) filing, responding to office actions and other correspondence issued by the USPTO, and performing substantive analysis of office actions and other correspondence issued by foreign patent offices. The successful patent agent will also work with and manage outside counsel, where necessary. The patent agent will be a part of an integrated team with members of TTO and researchers to assess the technical, legal, and business merits of NREL innovations. In pursuing patent protection, the patent agent will effectively collaborate with and oversee NREL’s patent paralegals to manage the assigned docket, coordinating on prosecution matters with inventors and members of TTO, and with patent co-owners and licensees, as applicable. The patent agent will also provide ongoing education and training sessions to research staff and management on pertinent patent issues, including NREL IP policies, patent laws and regulations, and USPTO procedures. The patent agent will also effectively serve as an expert resource on all things patent, including assisting NREL research staff with invention identification and encouraging timely and detailed invention reporting. The patent agent’s responsibilities may also include: support of NREL TTO with partnership formation and out-licensing of patents through patent due diligence and technical insights; working with DOE's Intellectual Property Law Division in the conduct of assigned duties, as required; and review of publications, presentations, and reports for potential patentability issues before dissemination outside of NREL. . **Basic Qualifications** Relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant PhD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant JD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Strong leadership, project management and problem solving skills. Ability to use various computer software programs. *** Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.** **Additional Required Qualifications** + Bachelor’s Degree in a biological sciences field. + Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a patent agent or patent attorney. + Demonstrated ability to draft and prosecute patent applications in the biotechnology arts. + _Eligibility requirements: This position will require access to sensitive information, Government facilities, and/or Government information systems restricted to individuals with US citizenship. Only applicants that are US Citizens at the time of application will be considered._ **Preferred Qualifications** + Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in chemistry or material science. + Advanced degree in biochemistry, biochemical engineering, molecular biology. + Experience working in a biology and/or chemistry laboratory. . **Job Application Submission Window** The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed. **Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)** Job Profile: Professional III / Annual Salary Range: $97,800 - $176,000 NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions. **Benefits Summary** Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement. ***** Based on eligibility rules **Badging Requirement** NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. **Drug Free Workplace** NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn. **Submission Guidelines** Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application. . **EEO Policy** NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws. EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp\_English\_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) | **Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)** **E** **-Verify** **www.dhs.gov/E-Verify** **For information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08\_01\_2013.pdf) for English or** **here (http://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/download) for Spanish.** E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States. NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE). **Drug Free Workplace** NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn. Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.