IP Counsel

Summary

Position: IP Counsel (Strategic IP & Legal Support)

Location: Chicago, IL 

Schedule: Part-Time (up to 20 hours/week, flexible); onsite 1-2 times a week

Reports to: General Counsel

The Company

Numat is a global leader in the field of precision chemistries. Numat’s solutions are changing the way industries around the world capture and separate hazardous chemicals that negatively impact human health and the environment. 

Numat has been at the forefront of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) research and production for over a decade and is the first company to successfully commercialize MOFs. The company’s world-class platform integrates MOFs into existing products and processes, merging chemistry innovation with manufacturing at industrial scale. 

Through bold and transformative chemistry, Numat helps its global customers and partners make meaningful progress toward their net-zero and innovation objectives. Be a part of something bigger, join our team.

Position Overview

Numat is seeking a seasoned part-time IP Counsel to provide legal expertise in leading and managing our intellectual property strategy and portfolio, and related commercial matters. You will work closely with the General Counsel and external IP law firms while advising internal stakeholders on IP-related contract terms, technology agreements, and compliance. The ideal candidate will be an experienced IP professional seeking a flexible or part-time position. This role reports to the General Counsel and works closely with R&D, business development, product, and executive leadership.

Responsibilities

IP Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Manage and expand Numat’s global IP portfolio (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets), in collaboration with outside counsel


• Lead IP strategy development in alignment with commercial and R&D priorities


• Identify new areas for protection, including filing strategies, freedom-to-operate, and competitive landscapes

Operations & Compliance

• Oversee IP docketing, filing, and annuity payments, as well as preparation and prosecution, ensuring appropriate tracking and timely actions


• Develop and maintain internal IP policies and procedures (e.g., invention disclosure process, lab notebook protocols)


• Support trade secret protection programs, including employment-related confidentiality practices


• Serve as the internal liaison for outside IP counsel and coordinate cross-functional input

Commercial Arrangements Drafting, Negotiation & Counsel

• Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related agreements, including NDAs, material transfer agreements, licenses, and joint development agreements


• Provide support on broader commercial arrangements involving IP or technology rights, including government contracts

Collaboration & Education

• Partner with Numat’s technical teams to identify and capture inventions, conduct IP training sessions, and promote a culture of innovation and protection


• Advise leadership on IP risk, value, and strategy in business development and investor discussions

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active license to practice law in the U.S.


• Admitted to practice before the US Patent & Trademark Office


• Technical background in chemistry preferred


• 7-10+ years of experience in IP law, including both patent prosecution and transactional matters


• Demonstrated experience managing IP portfolios for startups or small to mid-sized companies, as well as US government contracting and related IP rights experience preferred


• Deep familiarity with contract negotiations, particularly around licensing, joint development, and confidentiality


• Strong collaboration and communication skills, especially in cross-functional environments


• Proficient with current legal tech tools, including IP search and analysis contract lifecycle management, and appropriate incorporation of AI into workstreams


• Experience working with IP under government contracts


• Comfortable working independently and remotely with the expectation to be onsite at least once a week

NOTE:  **NO AGENCIES**

Numat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or an unfavorable discharge from military service. We at Numat are committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.