Group Leader IP

Location

Zwijnaarde

Working hours

Full-time

Contract Type

Permanent

Working area

Intellectual Property

Join the team

Agriculture plays a fundamental role in fulfilling many of humanity’s basic needs: food, feed, energy. To support growers and those who take care of our environment, BASF develops innovative solutions for farming, pest control and landscape management – so that we can effectively contribute to improving people’s lives and business’ demands. Come join us on our journey to create solutions for sustainable agriculture at the Innovation Center Gent.

Responsibilities

Within our Global Intellectual Property unit, you will work in the position of a Group Leader Intellectual Property focusing on plant biotechnology and seed, a role in which you will be responsible for the following tasks:

You will lead and supervise experienced IP professionals in Gent preparing and prosecuting patent applications as well as drafting freedom to operate opinions on BASF products and methods.
Together with your team, you will also be responsible for the enforcement of BASF’s intellectual property rights as well as for defending BASF against third party claims.
You will supervise and support the integration, maintenance, expansion and sharing of existing and newly developed technical knowledge within the field of patents and will be responsible for negotiating contracts.
You will advise the operational units that you are responsible for on the strategic use of the tools available under industrial property rights.
You will support M&A projects from an IP perspective.

Qualifications

After earning your degree in a technical discipline, preferably biology, biotechnology, or (bio)chemistry, you have gained several years of professional experience in the field of patents, preferably also in a leadership position.
You have solid knowledge of European patent law, experience in international IP law, and are interested in the challenges posed by advanced biotechnology.
You preferably hold a degree as a European and/or national patent attorney.
You have knowledge of license technologies / licenses.
You take on new challenges independently and with motivation and enthusiasm and a pronounced strategic and entrepreneurial mindset.
You communicate and present arguments convincingly in English. Knowledge of German and Dutch is an advantage.

Benefits

A permanent contract within an attractive working environment in a professional and motivated team.
A role with challenging assignments and responsibilities.
An attractive base salary in relation to your diploma and competencies, an annual bonus and extra-legal benefits.

Come join us in bringing the lab to the field

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. We invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion.

For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

Application process

1. Application

You found the job you like on our website. Time to hit that ‘apply’-button and let us know who you are through the application form.

2. First encounter

We are intrigued by your application and call you immediately. At this point you can expect questions like: What motivates you? And what are your skills?

3. Interview

The call went great! So here you are, ready for your interview with HR and a hiring manager. We want to know more of your story and of course, you can ask about our story as well.

4. Contract

Welcome to our team. When can you start? So we can everything ready for your first day. You know, computer, paperwork, cake, balloons …

5. Onboarding

We welcome you with open arms and get you up and running. Including our eye-opening bootscamp, from the lab to the field.