Project Manager

We are seeking a Project Manager to support the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH), world renowned National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, MD. Our NIAID professional, technical, and scientific support personnel are part of a preeminent team focused on positively impacting millions of lives around the world with groundbreaking research. Candidates will work at a prominent and vibrant NIAID worksite to directly support exciting ongoing research activities as a contractor team member. Accelerate your career and apply below to help us make a difference.

CAMRIS International is a dynamic clinical research and international development firm that achieves innovative solutions to health and development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective programs and research management services. We combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices. Our core practice areas include: clinical research; vaccine research, microbiology and infectious disease research, development and production; biodefense; global health security; and HIV/AIDS programs. 

Our employees enjoy a collegial environment where individual contributions matter at all levels. At CAMRIS, you will notably improve the lives of people at home and abroad.  

• Manage all aspects of patent-related work in support of the TTIPO Technology Transfer and Patent Specialists (TTPS) including:
  • Prepare and route invention/patent filing recommendation packages for review,
  • Enter and analyze data, perform data quality checks, review and attach information relating to patent-filing, patent annuities, procurement of patent legal services, patent workflow.
• Stay abreast of changes in the US and foreign patent laws and policies that have implications for NIAID and CDC patent portfolios and help implement necessary process and database adjustments to comply with appropriate changes.
• Review and monitor patent annuity and maintenance fee payment deadlines and data in internal and external databases, ensure contracted annuity management service makes payments in accordance with patent filing recommendations and decisions made by NIAID and CDC and prepare upcoming patent annuity reports for review by TTPS periodically and as needed.
• Support effective management of NIAID and CDC intellectual property and of the Patent and Legal Services ("PLS") task orders. Analyze patent budget, expenses and project foreseeable costs associated with pursuing domestic and/or foreign patent protection for NIAID and CDC inventions.
• Generate reports to identify upcoming patent application filing deadlines, to analyze and determine a patent filing strategy in advance of deadlines, and to track patent expenditures on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Identify estimates from the patent law firms for TTIPO staff review; analyze estimated costs for NIAID and CDC to project and plan for funding of patent prosecution activities in the coming year; collect information under PLS task orders to support the COR's planning activities.
• Generate and analyze monthly and quarterly PLS Contractors Estimate Reports to ensure accuracy of invoicing and allow early billing discrepancies identification and resolution. Assist in the identification of remaining funds for timely deobligation.
• Provide Quarterly Reports on NIAID/CDC patent expenses with remaining funds to TTPS; review reports received from PLS Contractors related to activities under the PLS task orders; identify discrepancies between PLS reports and internal databases; and prepare communications regarding such reports.
• Assist with review and management of third-party patent filings where NIAID or CDC staff are named as inventors; prepare and forward formal patent documents to third party as appropriate.
• Perform all actions to support and implement NIAID and CDC authorizations to discontinue patent prosecution.
• Provide support for the administration of PLS contract; verify and review incoming law firm billing and invoicing documents for accuracy and formal requirements.
• Coordinate reconsideration of and refunds for rejected invoices by PLS Contractors.
• Monitors PLS Contractors' invoice submission process for accuracy and timeliness.
• Become provisioned for invoice reviewer role in the NIH Business System (NBS) and perform this function for PLS invoices under the direction of NIH contracting officers and TTIPO Contracting Officers Representative.
• Ensure PLS invoice payment to vendors is recorded in ETT in a timely manner based on information in NBS to enable patent prosecution reimbursement from licensees of NIAID patent portfolio.
• Communicate with law firms regarding filing confirmations, patent data, formal document requirements.
• Generate new patent records in the database based on TTIPO patent filing decisions.
• Docket Office Actions from the USPTO and Patent Offices worldwide and responses filed by law firms for patent prosecution matters; discern actionable items for TTIPO staff, as appropriate.
• Manage all aspects of license agreement-related work in support of the TTIPO Technology Transfer and Patent Specialist (TTPS) including license application review, database entries, licensing-related documentation review, maintenance and retention, and licensing workflow navigation.
• Review, analyze and maintain licensing agreements and forecast future royalty income for NIAID and CDC; create executive summaries of license agreements; communicate with licensees under the direction of TTPS.
• Route negotiated and finalized agreements for signature by NIH and applicants; close out and process executed agreements in appropriate databases.
• Generate reports relating to incurred and unreimbursed patent expenses for patent portfolios being licensed under agreements.
• Routinely assist with license royalty review, analysis, reporting and distribution.
• Provide assistance with license monitoring and enforcement activities for the NIAID and CDC portfolios.
• Enter data into and analyze data in databases, perform data quality checks, maintain database integrity for all actions relating to: patents, employee invention reports (EIR), patent maintenance and annuities, agreements and post-execution agreement compliance documentation. Data could broadly pertain to Licenses, Confidentiality Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Conditional Gift Fund Agreements (CGFs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Sales and Progress reports, etc, and data related to the administration of the patent legal services contract.
• Participate in record retention policy implementation in databases and in physical records; timely remove records according to NARA approved record retention schedules.
• Generate docket reports and help assure that upcoming deadlines are communicated within the office.
• Make recommendations to TTIPO Director and other staff members to develop an acceptable plan for technical and administrative matters, including identification of work to be done, the scope to the project, and deadlines for completion, and proceeding independently.
• Coordinate with TTIPO staff on assignments with broadly defined goals or mission to be accomplished and support with implementation as required.
• Assist with preparation for and during TEAC and pre-TEAC meetings, and with post- TEAC proceedings
• Assist with advertising and marketing efforts; prepare and submit materials for publications in Federal Register, LinkedIn, and other publications; assist in the administration of technology transfer agreements as necessary including managing communications with external organizations and NIAID divisions in regard to the biological materials and establishing simple agreements.
• Originate, review and draft cover letters and memos, and various other documents.
• Prepare training and standard operating procedure documents as needed to support TTIPO operations and use of databases.
• Provide accurate verbal and written responses to inquiries regarding the status of technology transfer agreements.
• Coordinate with staff members to complete special projects including preparation of educational and marketing materials.
• Generate miscellaneous patent and licensing reports, as needed.
• Provide Notary Public services for Technology Transfer documents.
• Other duties as assigned.

• At least 3 years of patent paralegal experience in a law firm required.
• The education, skills and relevant years of experience required for each support position are consistent with those identified as the minimum requirements for the labor categories specified in the contract.
• Experience preparing, analyzing, and filing patents for review.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changes in the US and foreign patent laws and policies.
• Experience generating invoices and ensuring payment to vendors.
• Experience generating reports relating to incurred and unreimbursed patent expenses.
• Strong communication skills and must be detail oriented.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by a candidate to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Constantly perform sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Rarely perform light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
• Rarely push or pull less than 25 pounds and reach above shoulder level.
• Constantly use both hands.
• Occasionally stand or walk for more than 25 minutes.
• Constantly have clear vision (near and/or far), depth perception, peripheral vision,
  and/or visual acuity. 
• Occasionally move about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite to another.
• Constantly communicate with others to exchange information.
• Occasionally assess the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Please submit your resume online at www.CAMRIS.com. CAMRIS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law.

CAMRIS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for individuals and families, FSAs, HSA, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, legal services, voluntary hospital indemnity, critical illness and accident insurances, EAP, pet insurance, 401(k) with employer match and Roth option, tuition and professional reimbursement, public transportation support in the DMV area, a referral bonus program, vacation with tenure-based increases, PTO, 11 paid holidays, paid bonding leave, and paid supplemental short-term disability.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Public Trust-level background check, a requirement for this position under an active federal contract. The background check process may include, but is not limited to the following: (1) contacting your professional references; (2) verification of previous employment, education and credentials; (3) a criminal background check; (4) use/abuse of federally-controlled substances; and (5) a department of motor vehicle check. Candidates must be prepared to fully-complete any required background check questionnaire during initial onboarding.