Careers at Oncode

Oncode Institute

Oncode Institute aims to enable patients to survive cancer and improve their quality of life by creating breakthroughs in our understanding of cancer and translating these into next-generation diagnostics and treatments.

Candidate

The IP Analyst position has a central role within the Oncode Valorization Team. As an IP analyst you collaborate closely with Oncode’s Business Developers in the assessment and protection of novel therapeutic and diagnostic oncology inventions created by Oncode’s scientific investigators, with whom you also frequently interact. A successful IP Analyst will have a passion for cutting-edge science, can recognize and craft innovations from raw scientific data and has an eye for detail. The position requires a strong understanding of oncology and scientific research techniques, as well as a keen interest in intellectual property and the protection of new inventions. Your work will be instrumental to determine protection and valorization strategies in support of marketing, licensing and company creation activities for these new inventions.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Assessment of new inventions through undertaking prior art literature and patent searches to inform novelty, inventiveness, freedom to operate and competitive analysis assessments;
• Draft preliminary claim sets in support of priority patent filings;
• Work with Oncode’s European Patent Attorney to support external patent counsel on the filing and prosecution of patent applications, including budget management; and
• Reviewing official patent office actions, including analysing international search reports to optimize Oncode’s patent application prosecution.

Qualifications / Skills

• A PhD in the life sciences, ideally with a background in molecular oncology;
• Passionate about the latest developments in life sciences, particularly oncology;
• A keen interest in intellectual property as a tool to ensure innovation;
• Experience analysing technical inventions, with experience in searching literature and patent data bases or drafting inventive claims an asset;
• Ability to distinguish new developments, including inventive steps from prior art, and imagining potential applications beyond the obvious; and
• Fluency in English is required, with a (passive) knowledge of Dutch a plus.

Personal Skills

• Analytical, inquisitive, out-of-the-box thinker, focused and driven;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Team player with ability to establish strong interpersonal relations; and
• Multi-tasking and prioritization capability.

What will you get in return?

• Being part of a small, diverse and international team;
• Opportunity to make a positive impact with your work;
• If so interested, the opportunity through Oncode’s European Patent Attorney to train towards writing the European qualification exam to become a European patent attorney; and
• Competitive remuneration package.

How to apply

For more information please contact ian.bell@oncode.nl. Please send your cover letter and resume to Manouche Hetzler: manouche.hetzler@oncode.nl. The vacancy is open for application until the position is filled.

Oncode Institute & KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society)

Oncode Institute and KWF are dedicated to understanding cancer and translating research into tangible benefits for cancer patients and society at large. Oncode Institute aims to enable patients to survive cancer and improve their quality of life by creating breakthroughs in our understanding of cancer and translating these into next-generation diagnostics and treatments. As a major cancer research funding agency, KWF is looking for opportunities to apply knowledge and translate it to patients more quickly via the large number of funding instruments at its disposal.

Your working time will be divided between Oncode (60%) and KWF (40%).

Candidate

In this shared position between Oncode and KWF, a successful business development professional finds synergies between different parties, as partnerships at Oncode and KWF are key – whether internal or external. This will require you to leverage your knowledge of both oncology and your overview of the oncology market, the funding landscape and your business development skills. The position requires a broad understanding of oncology and drug discovery, the current landscape in pharmaceutical clinical trials and marketed drugs, diagnostics and biomarkers, as well as a detailed understanding of research agreements, patent and (pre-)clinical development strategies. At KWF, you will leverage your understanding of financing the translation of research by means other than research grants to develop possible (financing) instruments to speed up the translation of research outcomes to patients and better involve industry. In addition, you will have an advisory role in the field of valorisation for current projects in the KWF portfolio and connect researchers to the right parties to take the next step towards implementing their KWF-funded research.

Main tasks and responsibilities

At Oncode and KWF:

• Build and maintain relationships with industry, foundations, academic and funding partners;
• Create alliances between academic and industry partners to support the research activities or technology development;.
• Evaluate new research results for their commercial and clinical potential, including completing IP assessments, initiating and managing IP protection activities for such research output;
• Market analysis and development of marketing campaigns to valorise new oncology research results;
• Drafting and negotiating agreements (CDA/MTA/Research/license) to valorise new research results, including post-agreement management;
• Assisting with setting up new ventures, based on IP generated by Oncode/KWF investigators;
• Maintain and manage relationships with multiple stakeholders, including KTO’s and funders;

At KWF:

• Identify gaps in financing that impede translation of results from KWF projects and that require a different approach than its current funding system.
• Investigate the possible (financing) instruments for economic valorization and business development that might fill these gaps and advise the organization on implementation of new instruments in collaboration with Oncode and other relevant parties, or internally at KWF.

Qualifications / Skills

• A Master’s degree with a background in molecular biology, with a PhD considered a big asset;
• Between 5 and 10 years of working experience in a business development or licensing role in life sciences, preferentially of oncology-related assets. Industry experience (licensing or early-stage technology scouting) or academic technology transfer is preferred;
• Advanced knowledge of valorisation processes, including technology assessment, IP protection and commercialization;
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, prospecting and closing skills; and
• Fluency in English is required, a passive knowledge of Dutch is a plus.

Personal Skills

• Enthusiastic and easy connector with excellent negotiation skills;
• Commitment, confidence, perseverance, self-starting;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Team player; and
• Multi-tasking and prioritization capability.

What will you get in return?

• At Oncode, being part of a diverse, international team with 10 fantastic colleagues;
• At KWF, you are part of the Program Research & Implementation (PO&I) circle;
• Opportunity to make a positive impact with your work; and
• Competitive remuneration package.

How to apply

For more information please contact ian.bell@oncode.nl. Please send your cover letter and resume to Manouche Hetzler: manouche.hetzler@oncode.nl. The vacancy is open for application until the position is filled.