Careers at Lehigh

Coordinator, Invention Management - Office of Vice Provost for Research

Join Lehigh University's Office of Technology Transfer and play a key role in supporting groundbreaking research innovation. This full-time, nonexempt position offers the opportunity to work directly with faculty researchers and contribute to the commercialization of cutting-edge discoveries.

About the Opportunity

As Coordinator of Invention Management, you will provide essential support for Lehigh's Invention Disclosure process, working closely with faculty researchers and the Office of Technology Transfer. This position combines legal research, administrative coordination, and database management to facilitate the protection and commercialization of university innovations.

Position Number: S73620

This position is a Grade: 8 - 37.5 with an approximate salary range of $44,600-$53,530 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares and manages all documentation required for initial and subsequent patent filings, including drafting Government Support clauses based on federal funding data and preparing assignments and declarations for inventor signatures.
• Directs patent law firms on upcoming filings, communicates strategic patent decisions, and coordinates with external legal counsel regarding all patent-related billing matters.
• Manages the due diligence process by collecting prior art information, such as journal papers and existing patents, directly from university inventors.
• Responds to legal requests from patent counsel by securing necessary inventor data, residential addresses, and executed signatures to ensure compliance throughout the patent lifecycle.
• Maintains and manages the Invention Disclosure Form (IDF) process, ensuring all technical information is completed and proper inventor signatures are secured from faculty and students.
• Manages the Wellspring (Inteum) database and iEdison platform to log, track, and retrieve data regarding invention details, patent lifecycles, licensing agreements, and mandatory federal reporting.
• Ensures timely tracking and handling of patent maintenance fees and royalty payments, prepares vendor invoices for payment, and coordinates check requests for revenue distributions to inventors.
• Serves as the point of contact for external commercialization assistance companies regarding invention marketing activities, and assists in evaluating proprietary intellectual property management software.
• Processes patent law firm invoices, check requests for inventor revenue distributions, and Express Software Licenses, while ensuring timely tracking of scheduled patent maintenance fees and royalty payments.
• Manages end-to-end logistics for conferences, events, and external company visits, coordinates travel arrangements for faculty and administrators, and maintains the departmental website, office supply inventory, and financial tracking systems.

Qualifications

• Associates or Vocational/Technical Degree in a related field; Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Professional Paralegal Certification is strongly preferred
• Three to five years of related experience
• Understanding of intellectual property, patents, copyrights, and the patent application filing process
• Basic understanding of various contracts used in university research and technology activities
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills

Why Choose Lehigh University

Lehigh University offers an exceptional work environment where innovation thrives. As a leading research institution, we provide comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. Our beautiful campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, fosters collaboration between world-class faculty, staff, and students. You'll join a community committed to academic excellence and research advancement, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources. Lehigh values work-life balance and offers competitive compensation packages that recognize your contributions to our mission.

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission. 

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

Special Considerations

• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.