Agreements Associate

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking an Agreements Associate to join their team. Reporting to the Agreements Manager, the Agreements Associate will be responsible for drafting and negotiating Non-Disclosure, Material Transfer, Data Use, and related intellectual property agreements in accordance with the policies of the Regents of the University of California and the Department of Energy. This role plays a critical role in facilitating commercialization and collaborative research by establishing legal frameworks with academic institutions, federal laboratories, and global industrial partners.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams! 
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

You will:

• Apply an understanding of intellectual property law, contract law, and commercial business principles towards drafting and negotiating Non-Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements, and related agreements for Berkeley Lab.
• Draft transactions using a Berkeley Lab standard agreement, or conform an external party’s agreement to Berkeley Lab requirements. The Associate will draw on available resources and consult with Berkeley Lab subject matter experts as needed to negotiate an agreement that meets both Berkeley Lab and the external party’s requirements. The Associate will obtain manager review and approval before finalizing agreements, progressing toward full signature authority.
• Utilize Berkeley Lab contractual mechanisms, such as different intellectual property research contracts and funding contracts that are related to an Associate’s agreement and exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Create and maintain database entries on pending and executed agreements, and provide periodic reporting information for Berkeley Lab management, the University of California, and the DOE.
• May represent Berkeley Lab on the UC-wide and/or DOE national lab-wide Agreement groups or related committees.
• Interact diplomatically with scientists, engineers, and transactional and advisory offices across Berkeley Lab, and negotiate with legal representatives and business executives at companies and academic institutions throughout the world.

We are looking for:

• An undergraduate degree or its equivalent in education and experience.
• 2 years related legal/licensing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work on agreement issues, initially of moderate scope with the goal of expanding to more complex issues.
• Ability to draft and negotiate Non-disclosure, Material Transfer, Data Use Agreements and related intellectual property agreements and assess whether they meet Berkeley Lab requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate optimal outcomes for complex agreements.
• Demonstrated judgment in knowing when to consult subject matter experts.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills and ability to independently manage caseload under constant internal and external deadline pressures.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to collaborate professionally with internal peers and colleagues, administrative support staff, scientists and engineers, and senior management to meet desired goals and objectives.
• Effective written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and conduct business using complex documents and database, word-processing, and spreadsheet programs.
• Demonstrated team-player.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• JD degree.
• Experience in working for a large research institution.
• Transactional legal experience.
• Ability to understand often complex and cutting-edge proprietary scientific materials and/or data being transferred in order to determine appropriate contract language.
• Knowledge of University of California policies related to research and contracts administration.
• Familiarity with DOE Orders pertaining to intellectual property and transfer of material and/or data.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by October 19, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay. 
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $100,000 - $115,000 depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Export Control Access: This position will involve access to hardware, commodities, and technical information subject to export control regulations including, but not limited to, the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and/or International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). 
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Due to the nature of this position, the selected incumbent for this position is required to be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (“green card holder”), asylee, refugee, or other qualifying protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.