IP Specialist
1. About Us
NanoFrontier is a research-driven startup that provides end-to-end solutions from design to mass production and quality assurance for materials in energy, environment, and pharmaceutical fields, centered around nanoparticle generation technology through reprecipitation method developed over many years at Tohoku University. We also provide nanoparticle manufacturing services and technology licensing, rapidly advancing joint research and PoC with manufacturers and academic institutions in Sendai (main base) and Tokyo (collaboration base).
2. Role & Responsibilities
We need to establish clear boundaries between filing and not filing, and design rights in joint research early on. This position will operate the entire process from invention discovery to filing, prior art searches and contract reviews, and monitoring. We’re looking for someone who can build a balanced IP foundation through both offensive and defensive strategies.
What You’ll Gain
- Develop products and technologies that customers need, with commercialization in mind
- Can directly support research and business speed from the patent perspective
- Your designs are immediately implemented due to the small organization
- Can be involved in automation of drafts and logs through collaboration with LLM/data platforms
3. Key Responsibilities
- Collect invention disclosures (IDFs), coordinate with patent attorneys, conduct prior art searches
- Manage publication order for papers/exhibitions, review confidential expressions
- Collect R&D/manufacturing evidence and compile result reports
- Liaise with external offices (administrative offices, attorneys, joint research partners) and manage schedules
4. Requirements, Skills & Experience
Required
- Alignment with NanoFrontier’s business and mission
- Experience in corporate IP or patent firms
- Experience in prior art/FTO searches, manage provisional → non-provisional → office actions
- Basic review of NDAs/joint research agreements, ability to identify clause issues
- Japanese documentation, English reading comprehension of patents and application guidelines
Preferred
- Patent attorney (including those who passed written/oral exams) or filing draft experience
- Background in chemistry/materials fields, basic knowledge of colloids/crystallization
- Ledger design using Notion/Spreadsheets
- Experience implementing draft automation using LLM/RAG
What We’re Looking For
- Someone who can design order and deadlines and move forward even under uncertain situations
- Someone who can record → share changes and avoid omissions
- Someone who can make adjustments to reduce risks without compromising research and business speed
5. Location & Work Style
- Location: Tokyo or Sendai (visits to universities and patent offices as needed)
- Work style: Hybrid (2-3 days in office expected)
- Work hours: Full flex (core hours 10:00-16:00)
6. Benefits & Welfare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Holidays & Leave | ・Complete 5-day workweek ・Annual paid leave ・Year-end and New Year holidays |
| Insurance | Complete social insurance coverage |
| Housing | Company housing system available |
| PC & IT Tools | PC provided. ChatGPT usage covered by company. Other necessary IT tools available through consultation and application |
| Health Support | Massage and gym usage support |
| Meal Support | Tohoku University cafeteria meal card provided (under adjustment) |
| Career Development | Support for qualifications, technical books, exam costs, etc. |
| Grant Incentives | Incentive design for grant acquisition |
| Relocation Support | For relocation from Tokyo to Sendai: Up to 1 million yen relocation bonus through Sendai City relocation support program For relocation from other regions: Under adjustment |
7. Selection Process
- Casual interview: 30-60 minutes
- Technical interview & discussion: 60+ minutes
- Offer interview & final decision
※ Results for each selection process will be provided within 3 business days. Steps may be omitted based on candidate circumstances.
8. Company Information
- Company Name: NanoFrontier Inc. (Headquarters: 2F Urban Net Sendai Central Building, 4-4-19 Central, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture)
- Corporate Philosophy: “Toward a society where all resources circulate smoothly and are utilized in optimal forms”
- Business Areas:
- (1) Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of reagents and functional materials using organic nanoparticle technology
- (2) Contract manufacturing of organic nanoparticles and provision of related technologies
- (3) Technology licensing and technical consulting in the field of organic nanoparticle technology
- (4) All businesses incidental to the above
- https://nanofrontier.jp/
9. How to Apply
Please apply through our recruitment page application form.