Job Description

Requisition Id16918

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Our diverse capabilities span a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the Laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and to carry out the research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace.

We are seeking an experienced Patent Attorney to support the laboratory's research, innovation, and national security mission. This role provides legal counsel on intellectual property, technology transfer, commercialization, and research-related transactions in a highly regulated government-contractor environment.

The Patent Attorney will work closely with scientists, engineers, technology transfer professionals, procurement and export control personnel, DOE patent and laboratory leadership to protect and deploy ORNL innovations in compliance with DOE requirements, federal law, and the laboratory's public mission.

This is an in-house legal role for an attorney with strong patent expertise, sound judgment, transactional experience, and the ability to support multidisciplinary stakeholders across a complex research enterprise.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Patent Attorney will provide practical, strategic legal support for ORNL staff, including:

• Advise staff and management on intellectual property matters, including patent and copyright law, data rights, licensing, technology transfer, economic development, sponsored research, and other transactions supporting the laboratory's mission;
• Proactively identify and respond to opportunities to contribute to the ORNL mission and lab agenda within scope of responsibility;
• Support and guide in-house patent agents and paralegals, and outside patent counsel to ensure high-quality patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio management aligned with laboratory objectives;
• Assist in developing and managing patent portfolios that advance ORNL's technology transfer, commercialization, and public-interest goals;
• Support procurement activities by advising on IP clauses and related contracting issues;
• Provide legal support on export control matters affecting IP, research collaborations, technology dissemination, and related transactions, in coordination with internal subject matter experts;
• Advise and educate laboratory personnel on IP policies, procedures, and best practices;
• Collaborate with researchers, licensing professionals, contracting personnel, and leadership to resolve legal issues in a practical, timely, and mission-focused manner;
• Contribute to improvements in legal processes, templates, training, and guidance materials for internal clients.

Basic Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school;
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and ability to satisfy applicable Tennessee BAR Association practice requirements;
• Active membership in the U.S. Patent Bar.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated experience in patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio strategy;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues to technical and non-technical audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with scientists, engineers, business professionals, contracting personnel, research administrators, and senior leadership;
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to client service in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience with the DOE patent system, whether as a contractor attorney, federal employee, or counsel supporting DOE laboratories;
• Familiarity with export control, federal procurement law, sponsored research, and commercialization in a government-contractor setting;
• Technical background or demonstrated ability to work effectively with sophisticated scientific and engineering subject matter across multiple disciplines;
• Experience providing advice on technology transfer and research-related agreements, and commercialization transactions.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

• Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: Q Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required pre-employment processes, which may include a background investigation, drug screening, and other security-related reviews consistent with DOE and ORNL policies.

Continued employment is contingent upon maintaining the required clearance and satisfying all applicable security, compliance, and workplace requirements.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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