At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead OQC's IP strategy and manage our innovation pipeline in quantum computing.
- Company: Join a pioneering quantum computing company with a bold innovation culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a chance to shape the future of technology.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of quantum technology and make a real impact on innovation.
- Qualifications: Significant IP experience in tech, strong collaboration skills with scientists and engineers.
The predicted salary is between 85500 - 104500 £ per year.
At OQC, we aren’t just theorising about the future; we’re building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we’ve successfully transitioned quantum computing from an academic dream into a commercial reality. The most exciting thing is that we’re just getting started and we’ve recently closed our £260 million Series C funding round - the largest fundraise ever completed by a quantum computing company in Europe.
The Purpose
As our Head of IP & Innovation, you’ll be OQC’s internal authority on intellectual property, shaping how we identify, protect and leverage the innovations and know-how behind our technology. Working at the intersection of science, engineering, legal and commercial strategy, you’ll build an IP framework that protects our competitive advantage without slowing innovation, giving our teams the confidence to invent, collaborate and take quantum technology further.
Please note that we also welcome candidates who would like to work 4 days per week on a 80% FTE salary basis.
The Role
This is a high-impact role with significant autonomy and visibility across OQC. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you’ll own the day-to-day management of our IP portfolio and invention pipeline while developing the strategy, governance and culture needed to manage IP effectively as OQC scales globally. You’ll work directly with scientists and engineers to uncover potentially valuable inventions, translate complex technical developments into protection strategies, and ensure IP thinking happens early, not after the innovation has happened. Beyond protecting what we create, you’ll help OQC understand where our IP can strengthen our competitive position, enable strategic collaborations and potentially unlock new commercial opportunities.
What You'll Be Working On
- Shape OQC’s IP strategy: Develop and implement our intellectual property strategy, aligning portfolio decisions and protection priorities with OQC’s technology and commercial ambitions.
- Own our portfolio and invention pipeline: Manage patents, invention disclosures, trade secrets and proprietary know-how, creating robust processes to identify, evaluate, protect and track valuable IP.
- Get close to the technology: Lead invention and IP workshops with scientists and engineers, translating cutting-edge technical developments into practical protection strategies.
- Protect our freedom to innovate: Monitor competitor patent activity, oversee freedom-to-operate work and strengthen how we protect confidential information, trade secrets and external technical disclosures.
- Enable commercial and strategic activity: Advise on IP ownership, licensing and technology rights across customer agreements, research collaborations, strategic partnerships, fundraising, due diligence and international programmes.
- Build an IP-first culture: Create practical training and guidance covering invention disclosures, confidentiality, publications, open-source software, AI usage, customer demonstrations and confidential information.
- Scale the IP operating model: Establish governance, SOPs, records, KPIs and reporting across OQC’s global operations, while managing external patent attorneys and specialist IP advisers effectively.
What We're Looking For
- Significant hands-on IP experience within technology, deep tech or another complex technical environment, with strong capability across IP strategy, patents, inventions, trade secrets and confidential know-how.
- A track record of working closely with scientists, engineers or other highly technical specialists to identify innovation and determine the right approach to protection.
- Experience leading complex IP matters with substantial autonomy, combining technical, legal and commercial considerations to make clear recommendations and knowing when strategic issues require escalation.
- Evidence that you’ve built or materially improved IP processes and governance, rather than simply administering an established portfolio.
- Experience managing external patent attorneys, IP advisers or other specialist advisers, alongside advising internal stakeholders on ownership, licensing, protection and collaboration matters.
- The ability to understand complex technical information, spot IP implications and communicate them clearly to senior, technical and non-technical audiences.
- A relevant legal, IP, scientific or technical background – or equivalent practical experience – combined with strong judgement, organisation and the ability to influence across multiple teams and priorities.
The 'Nice-to-Haves'
- Experience with quantum technologies or another deep-tech field such as semiconductors, advanced computing, photonics or advanced engineering.
- Qualification as a UK and/or European Patent Attorney, solicitor or other relevant IP professional.
- A degree or equivalent technical background in physics, engineering, computer science or another deep-tech discipline.
- Experience supporting IP due diligence for fundraising, investment or strategic transactions.
- Exposure to international IP matters, research collaborations or government-funded programmes.
- Hands-on experience conducting or coordinating freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Experience with technology licensing or identifying opportunities to commercially leverage an IP portfolio.
Why Join OQC
You will join a world-class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.
Head of IP & Innovation in Reading employer: OQC
At OQC, we are not just theorising about the future; we are actively shaping it. As an Associate Quantum Engineer, you will be part of a pioneering team that thrives on bold innovation and collaboration, working with cutting-edge technology in a supportive environment. With access to unique lab infrastructure and opportunities for continuous learning and growth, OQC is committed to fostering a positive work culture where your contributions can redefine the limits of quantum computing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IP & Innovation in Reading
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like OQC.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like OQC.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IP & Innovation in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at OQC that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at OQC and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at OQC
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at OQC, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show OQC that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At OQC, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
