Group Leader Patent Operations

The »Audio and Media Technologies« division at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen develops world-class audio and speech processing technology and is one of the world's largest organizations in this field. Well-known compression methods such as MP3 and the AAC family were developed at IIS. More than 300 engineers and scientists drive state-of-the-art innovation; the resulting patents are licensed to companies around the globe. Our customers include all of the world's leading technology companies. As a group leader, you will make a significant contribution to the success of our »Audio and Media Technologies« division and our research and licensing activities.

**You love to coordinate all tasks relating to patents, contribute to the licensing of patents to leading international companies and take responsibility for a motivated team?**

**Then a highly innovative and forward-looking working environment awaits you**

What you will do
Acting as head of the »Patents« group, you and your team will ensure the smooth processing of all tasks relating to maintaining ourextensive and growing patent portfolio. You will also support the department management in all matters relating to the exploitation of patents.

Specifically, you can expect the following tasks:

- Management of the processes for filing, granting and maintaining patents in close cooperation with your colleagues from the »Audio and Media Technologies« research division, the Fraunhofer headquarters and external patent attorneys
- Coordination of processes for submissions to patent pools, e.g. creation of claim charts (by our experts)
- Supporting the department management in patent pool matters and in the negotiation of bilateral license agreements, including the controlling/coordination of external law firms
- Technical and disciplinary management of a currently five-person team of engineers and patent officers in close cooperation with our department management

What you bring to the tabel
- Master’s degree in a technical or scientific field
- Interest in economic contexts and business models
- Desirable: Education and/or experience in patent law and licensing
- Excellent written and spoken English

What you can expect
- An **exciting management role** at a global market leader in a **highly innovative key industry**:

- **Dedicated colleagues** with broad professional expertise in a personal and collegial working atmosphere
- The opportunity to **build your reputation and visibility** both in science and in industry
- **A structured onboarding process** through which you will quickly become familiar with our institute and be able to extend your network successfully
- A **positive work culture**: We are open-minded, we help and trust each other.
- Ongoing **professional **and **personal seminars, coaching** and **language classes**:

- Equalized **work-life-balance** due to flexible working hours and hybrid work.
- **Complementary parking spaces, charging stations for electric cars **and **covered bicycle parking.**:

- Showers at the institute
- Subsidy to your **Deutschland-Ticket (Jobticket)** and bus stops located directly in front of the institute.
- **In-house health management**, e. g. **sports courses, running groups and relaxation seminars.**

The position is initially limited with the aim for subsequent extension. The weekly working time is 39 hours. The position can also be filled part-time, but as close to full-time as possible.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Claudia Kestler-Böhm
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

Requisition Number: 69266E