Intellectual Property Liaison

Job Description
Intellectual Property Liaison

Collaborate with innovative 3

Mers around the world.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

As the Intellectual Property Liaison, you will act as a bridge between 3M’s lab and development teams and 3M’s Office of Intellectual Property Counsel to ensure innovative ideas and inventions are properly documented, evaluated, and protected. This role involves supporting IP generation activities with 3M researchers, globally, using various IP asset management tools (such as Anaqua). The role will also support and facilitate processes and procedures for the review and disposition of invention submissions from submission through patent filing.

The role also is responsible for managing a portion of 3M’s patent portfolio. The ideal candidate will have a background in chemistry, engineering, or the physical sciences (e.g. chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or material/polymer science, etc.).

• Invention Documentation and Patent Filing:
  Collaborate with 3M’s R&D teams to identify and document potentially patentable inventions.
• Evaluate invention disclosures for quality and completeness; facilitate review and triage of submitted invention disclosures.
• Answer questions, and provide advice to inventors looking to complete invention disclosures.
• Patent Portfolio Management:
  Maintain and update 3M’s patent portfolio database.
• Monitor the status of pending patent applications and issued patents.
• Conduct regular reviews of the patent portfolio to ensure alignment to business needs and identify opportunities to rationalize.
• IP Education and Advice:
  Provide portfolio-related advice and analysis.
• Actively champion the role that intellectual property plays in business growth and technology development at 3M.
• Conduct training sessions for R&D staff on patent processes and intellectual property best practices.
• Stay updated on changes in patent laws and regulations and communicate relevant updates to the team.

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M is looking for candidates who must have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific or engineering degree (completed and verified prior to start).
• Three (3) years of experience in scientific or engineering discipline in a private, public, government or military environment.
• Knowledge of patent law, regulations, and practices.

• Laboratory or manufacturing experience and patent experience preferred.
• Additional coursework in intellectual property or passing the patent bar is a plus.
• Experience creating and/or managing IP assets in product research and development in an academic, private, public, government, or military environment.
• Experience working with R&D teams and patent attorneys or agents.
• Understanding of patent laws and the patent application process.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized with excellent computer skills and proficiency with corporate databases and systems.
• Good technical and non‑technical communication skills.

This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN.

May include up to 10% domestic/international travel.

Relocation is not authorized.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws.

U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain non-U.S. persons…