Senior Scientist, Intellectual Property

Job Summary: 

The overall function of this position is to support Americas Innovation Center (AIC) in intellectual property activities in. The primary responsibilities include supporting R&D actions in terms of freedom-to-operate (FTO) and patentability as well as guiding AIC personnel in area of patents. The position requires interaction with Shiseido Americas Corporation (SAC) Legal-Patent Attorney, GIC-IP counterparts, outside Patent Law Firm(s), as well as other groups within Shiseido organization. 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Process and track FTO requests
• Conduct preliminary screening of formulas and raw materials based on available internal and external databases
• Conduct patent searches using external patent databases    
• Conduct freedom-to-operate assessments for formulations and raw materials
• Generate FTO reports
• Discuss FTO finding with IP personnel as well as with the labs
• Conduct patentability assessments for patentability projects
• Work with inventors on preparing information for approvals and filings of new patent applications
• Work with scientists and attorneys/agents on matters related to pending patent prosecutions
• Support competitive intelligence efforts through research, analysis and reporting of third-party patent activities
• Collaborate closely with Shiseido SAC Patent Attorney, GIC-IP group, outside Law Firm(s)
• Provide training, guidance, and support to other R&D personnel on Intellectual Property matters
• Develop and maintain relationships and communications with outside vendor(s) supporting patent/technical searching services
• Develop and maintain systems for organizing and reporting of patent-related data associated with freedom-to-operate studies and patentability assessments
• Provide support in administrative work
• Maintain costs of projects within budgetary requirements through designing appropriate project strategies
• Support to VP on controlling and forecasting budget related to AIC-IP activities
• Search New Technologies for AIC research activities (e.g. clean beauty) from patent point of view and introduce them to AIC and GIC.

Working Relationships/Key Stakeholders:

• AIC Formulation Group
• AIC Raw Materials Development Team
• SAC Legal
• GIC Intellectual Property Group
• Outside Law Firm(s) and Patent Searching group(s)

Qualifications & Competencies: 

• 5- 15 years of experience in IP- patents
• Minimum MS in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or related scientific fields with courses in organic chemistry required
• Experienced in cosmetics or related fields preferred
• Experienced in application of patent law principles
• Solid knowledge of patent search techniques and databases
• Strong analytical skills
• Exceptional attention to details
• Strong organizational/project management skills.
• Good collaborator and communicator in a multicultural environment
• Able to work independently and motivate others to cooperation
• Flexible, customer- and results-oriented
• Capable of handling complex issues and solving problems with general guidance
• Able to perform under pressure with short timelines or simultaneously work on multiple projects
• Enthusiastic to apply scientific and patent knowledge to provide constructive support to R&D and contribute to company’s business successes
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft applications (word, excel, power point, outlook) and effective skills of searching internet and web-based databases
• Certified U.S. Patent Agent preferred, not necessary 

4. Collaborate: Leverage the diverse capabilities of colleagues.
5. Be Open: Create an environment that encourages everyone to speak up.
6. Act with Integrity: Be sincere and humble at all times.
7. Be Accountable: Commit to the goal. Take accountability for the execution

      8.  Applaud Success: Create a culture that celebrates success

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Shiseido is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other classification protected by Federal, State or Local law