Intellectual Property Counsel

About the role

Surventis Global Intellectual Property is looking for an Intellectual Property Counsel in Shanghai to turn innovation into effective IP value. The team covers patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, designs and IP intelligence, and advises innovation teams across the coatings business, which spans chemistry, physics (including colour science) and the intersection of sustainability and digital.

Key responsibilities

• Identify patentable ideas with business impact and build and maintain patent portfolios across different technology areas
• Advise teams on IP in partnerships and evaluate patent landscapes, deriving freedom-to-operate, invalidity and licensing strategies
• Review, draft and negotiate IP-related agreements such as NDAs, joint development and research collaboration agreements, technology and trademark licence agreements and commercial agreements with IP implications
• Support trademark protection and enforcement, including licensing, infringement matters and brand protection, together with global trademark colleagues

Required profile

• M.Sc. in a chemical field; a Ph.D. in a chemical field is a plus
• Minimum 5 years of experience in intellectual property
• Ideally first experience in-house
• Proven understanding and experience of drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the chemistry field
• Curious, open-minded team player with strong English communication skills

Required skills

• Deep knowledge of chemistry and extensive professional IP knowledge (chemistry-related preferred)
• Patent attorney qualification
• Legal bar qualification is a plus