Klarquist Sparkman, LLP, a mid-size law firm focusing exclusively on Intellectual Property law, is actively seeking lateral patent prosecution associates or patent agents with electrical engineering, computer science, or physics degrees for its office located in Portland, Oregon. Candidates should have excellent academic credentials (top 33% of class preferred, top 10% strongly preferred) and at least 1-4 years of experience prosecuting patent applications for electronics or computer software. Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills are required. Relevant industry experience or an advanced degree is preferred.
Located in one of the country’s most beautiful and livable cities, Klarquist Sparkman offers its professionals a challenging and rewarding career representing top-tier clients. The firm’s compensation and benefits package is highly competitive with other top-level firms in the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about the firm please visit our website at www.klarquist.com.
Contact: Interested candidates can apply online at www.klarquist.com/careers.aspx or may send a cover letter, resume, transcripts (undergraduate and graduate (if applicable)) and a writing sample by mail or email to:
Human Resources Klarquist Sparkman, LLP 121 SW Salmon, Suite 1600 Portland, Oregon 97204 recruiting@klarquist.com
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Location: Portland, Oregon
Wagner Blecher LLP is looking to hire full-time patent attorneys for our Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz County, CA offices. We are looking for applicants with 1-5 years of patent prosecution experience. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or Software Engineering. Candidates must be registered as patent attorneys with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Contact: To apply for a position, please submit your resume and cover letter in confidence to jobs@wagnerblecher.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Silicon Valley, and Santa Cruz California
Seed IP Law Group, one of the country's leading intellectual property law firms, is expanding its electrical engineering practice group. Ideal candidate will have a Electrical Engineering or Physics degree and a minimum of three years practical experience, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications, client counseling and preparing opinions.
Contact: Send cover letter, resume, writing sample and transcripts to TracyU@SeedIP.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Seattle, Washington
Mentor Graphics is an electronic design automation (EDA) company that creates software and hardware for designing, verifying, and testing IC and PCB circuits and embedded digital systems. The company’s product areas include circuit simulation, logical verification, physical verification, design-for-test, place and route, hardware emulation, synthesis, and mixed signal simulation.
The position will work in Mentor Graphics’ Legal Department as part of a small patent prosecution group working closely with product R&D organizations. Specific duties include identifying and prioritizing inventions for patenting; drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications; managing foreign associates for prosecution of non-U.S. patent applications; and advising product groups on patent infringement, design-around projects, and other intellectual property related issues.
Job Qualifications: All candidates should have excellent decision-making and judgment skills; demonstrate ability to work independently and efficiently, meet demanding deadlines and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment; work well with individuals from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and time zones; have an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related field; and be willing to occasionally travel. Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications is preferable, but not required.
Experienced patent attorneys will have passed the USPTO patent bar; have experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications; and be familiar with USPTO and PCT rules. Experience within the EDA industry is a significant plus.
Mentor Graphics will also consider candidates who are not patent attorneys, but who have demonstrable, excellent technical writing skills and are willing to sit for the USPTO patent agent exam; and have direct experience with EDA tools and the EDA industry.
The Benefits: Mentor Graphics believes in fostering a work environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance. Our world class benefits package includes up to 32 days of vacation/holiday pay per year, 401k matching, Stock purchase plan, annual performance reviews/bonuses, education reimbursement, partially paid Medical/Dental/Vision insurance and much more. Our Wilsonville site also has an onsite, 24/7 workout facility, full service cafeteria, day care center, basketball courts, sand volleyball, and daily exercise classes.
Klarquist Sparkman, LLP, a mid-size law firm focusing exclusively on Intellectual Property law, is actively seeking lateral litigation associates for its office located in Portland, Oregon. Candidates should have excellent academic credentials (first tier law school, top 1/3 of class minimum, top 10% strongly preferred) and 1-2 years of experience litigating complex patent and/or other intellectual property litigation. Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills are required. A technical background is strongly preferred as is judicial clerkship experience. The firm’s compensation and benefits package is highly competitive with other top-level firms in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Interested candidates should send resume, transcripts and a writing sample by email to: recruiting@klarquist.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Portland, Oregon
At present, the firm’s litigation group includes nineteen attorneys who focus their practice almost exclusively on litigation. Although the firm is based in Portland, our litigation practice is national in scope, with active cases currently pending in East Texas, West Texas, Boston, Chicago, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland. Our cases involve a range of technologies, including computer software and hardware, business methods, medical devices, mechanical equipment, consumer electronics, and biotechnology. The firm’s longstanding clients include Microsoft Corporation, Amazon.com, Inc. and GE, among many others.
Seattle Genetics is seeking is an Intellectual Property Specialist.
Responsibilities : • Managing all aspects of the patent and trademark formal processes, including: coordinating the preparation and filing of patent and trademark applications • Preparation of patent and trademark formal documents (e.g., declarations, assignments and powers of attorney); • Maintaining records of official patent and trademark correspondence; • Coordinating annuity and maintenance fee payments; • Docketing of patent and trademark deadlines; • E-filing correspondence with the USPTO • Supporting IP due diligence • Assisting with compliance of the document retention policy; and • Other patent and trademark related matters
Requirements: • Understanding of US and ex-US patent and trademark prosecution • Understanding of the PCT application process • Minimum of 4-5 years supporting patent prosecution (e.g., as a paralegal or patent prosecution assistant (paralegal certificate not required). • IP boutique experience is a plus • Strong oral and written communication skills • Attention to detail • Excellent organizational skills • Ability to work with and help manage outside counsel • Ability to manage multiple projects • Team player • Experience with docketing software a plus
Seattle Genetics is an equal opportunity employer.
Stolowitz Ford Cowger LLPis currently seeking well qualified Associates to join our firm, located in Portland Oregon. We are looking specifically for applicants having at least four years of patent prosecution experience as a registered Patent Attorney, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
Contact: To apply, submit a resume and writing sample to Christine Pavlyk at info@stofoco.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Portland, Oregon
Flukeis seeking a Corporate Paralegal to work in its South Everett, Washington offices. Are you looking for a role where you will work closely with our Patent Lawyer and own the patent administrative process with the opportunity for growth and development? Are you looking to partner with both external clients and business leaders to help manage the patent and annuities processes? If so, we have your next opportunity! You will be responsible for the auditing, administration of patent submissions, actions and decisions across the organization.
You will provide specifically substantive legal work for department lawyers and assist in providing legal support to the organization of a complex and responsible nature for our inventors’ patents both domestically and globally. This may include both corporate and commercial work and records management as well as trademark and IP research and support at the highest level.
Primary Responsibilities: • You will be responsible for the patent portfolio including, review and management of internal and external patent correspondence. Manage patent committee meetings while working closely with national/international outside counsel and inventors during patent prosecution to grant. Monitor USPTO patent site for granted patents and notifies inventors, VPs and HR of grants. • You will oversee and conduct due-diligence for incoming information, requests and related correspondence and materials including IP, litigation discovery, legal research and copyright permission requests as well as inquiries from outside inventors for idea review by Business Unit managers. • You will assess and support Fluke’s NDA process and assisting with trademark inquiries providing accurate and timely information on federally registered and common law marks. • You will research the patent assignment and filing of IP for newly acquired entities working with outside counsel in obtaining necessary chain of title documentation. • You will work closely with the department on budget administration, expense accruals and forecasting.
Minimum Qualifications: • 2+ years of related experience supporting the docketing, patent administration, database management, auditing, building queries and reporting. • Associates degree or Paralegal certification required, BA a plus. Demonstrated Skills and Abilities: • Proven track record of taking initiative, attention to detail, organization and prioritization and problem solving • Experience working and partnering with all levels in an organization. • Strong communication in both written and verbal formats • Experience and knowledge of large and complex database systems, including ability to create queries, and MS products especially PowerPoint and Excel • Experience with CPI, Decipher or other docketing databases a plus
All external hiring is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and a criminal background check. Fluke is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Fiala & Weaver P.L.L.C., a Washington D.C.-based intellectual property law firm, is seeking part-time and full-time patent attorneys and agents, including persons to fill Of Counsel, associate, and patent agent positions, to assist us with our growing practice. Opportunities are available primarily for preparation and prosecution work for a variety of clients in the electrical, electro-mechanical, software, and Internet technology areas. Persons with law firm experience and/or tech industry experience, as well as present and former Examiners, are all encouraged to apply. Excellent compensation. Inquiries treated in absolute confidence. Relaxed work environment. Portable business is not required. Applicants may be remotely located.
Requirements: • Excellent writing skills. • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related field. • 1 or more years of experience in preparing and prosecuting U.S. patent applications and/or examining U.S. patent applications. • Registration to practice before the USPTO.
Contact: Interested applicants should send resumes, samples of non-confidential work product, and references to careers@fwiplaw.com (Attn: Recruiting Manager).
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Flexible Location
Guntin Meles & Gust is seeking highly skilled and productive Patent Attorneys. As part of our team you will be working with a diverse group of clients ranging from sophisticated startups to Fortune 100 companies. We work in the areas of electrical engineering, telecommunications, medical products, RF tuning products, gaming products, nanotechnology, and other fields. Clients have also engaged our firm to evaluate patent portfolios, draft licensing and patent sale agreements, perform re-exam evaluations, due diligence in M&A transactions, advanced inventing sessions, opinion work, among other things.
We offer exceptional benefits and a competitive compensation package, which models the firm’s philosophy of transparency. Our firm is ideal for attorneys who seek firms in a growth path.
Candidate Qualifications: Must have passed a state bar and the USPTO patent bar. 3+ years of law practice with “substantial” patent preparation and prosecution experience of matters "originating" in the US. A Bachelors or Masters degree in Elect. Eng., Computer Eng., or a comparable engineering background is preferred. Telecommunications experience is a plus. Actual engineering experience is a plus. A book of business is also a plus. Information regarding the last two years of billable hours and collections will be requested along with academic transcripts.
Contact: Please submit your resume, writing samples (in the public domain) and transcripts via our website (http://www.gmgip.com/careers-attorneys.php). Submissions will be maintained confidential.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Chicago (remote locations may be considered)
At Guntin Meles & Gust we have a unique culture that places great emphasis on developing and exercising sound business, legal, and technical acumen in all aspects of the firm’s practice. Our culture has attracted and continues to attract new clients. Our culture also fosters and promotes career development of its attorneys at all levels.
Klarquist Sparkman, LLP, a mid-size law firm focusing exclusively on Intellectual Property law, is actively seeking a patent attorney or patent agent with an advanced degree in organic chemistry for its office located in Portland, Oregon. Candidates should have superior academic credentials and 3+ years of experience in drafting chemistry-related patent applications and opinions. Ideal candidates will have a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in organic chemistry and experience in pharmaceuticals, spectroscopy, or small-molecule synthesis.
As patent counsel for the National Institutes of Health and many chemical companies and universities worldwide, the Firm works with leading researchers in diverse fields of chemistry. For more information on the firm and its chemical practice group, please visit http://www.klarquist.com.
Klarquist Sparkman offers patent attorneys and agents not only a challenging career representing top-caliber clients, but also a balance between work and life outside of work. Our attorneys and agents enjoy a reasonable billable hour requirement and compensation based on a percentage of billings.
Contact: Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to recruiting@klarquist.com or by mail to:
Human Resources Manager Klarquist Sparkman, LLP 121 SW Salmon, Suite 1600 Portland, Oregon 97204
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Portland, Oregon
The Seattle office of Perkins Coie is seeking an associate with a minimum of three years experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. patent office, to join its nationally ranked and growing Intellectual Property group. We manage patent portfolios in a range of industries, including computer science, electronics, semiconductors, telecommunications, life sciences and biotechnology, medical devices, aerospace, and consumer products.
To be considered, you must have a degree in electrical engineering, physics or computer science. An advanced degree is preferred. Ideally you will also have previous practical experience working in the field of your expertise. Strong academic credentials, excellent references and superb writing and oral communication skills are a must. This position provides an excellent opportunity to work with experienced practitioners across various offices, as well as the opportunity to work with attorneys in our Patent Litigation group in support of patent litigation matters. All associate applicants must be admitted to the USPTO.
Emergent BioSolutions is seeking an IP Counsel for its Seattle, Wash., office. The principal responsibility of this IP Counsel is to (1) manage and oversee the development of patent portfolios covering biotherapeutic product candidates for oncology and other indications in the company’s pipeline, and (2) provide client and business counseling on IP risk management including clearance searches.
Must be capable of interacting with EPDS scientific staff, program management, and business professionals in the alliance management and business development functions. The successful individual must also be capable of professionally representing Emergent’s IP interests in interactions with other biopharmaceutical companies, universities, and funding organizations. Additional responsibilities include conducting IP due diligence and freedom-to-operate investigations, analyzing and reporting results, counseling business clients on IP risks, and developing and implementing IP risk mitigation strategies. The incumbent will be required to travel regularly to other company business sites, and to travel as needed for due diligence, negotiations, etc.
Requirements: J.D. from accredited law school, with B.S. or higher degree in a life science discipline. Must have been registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for at least 5 years. 5-8 years experience as a member of the bar as a patent attorney handling IP issues in a biopharmaceutical setting, with primary concentration in patent portfolio development and strategy. Licensing, due diligence, and clearance searching experience also required.
Must have strong communication skills and academic credentials. Experience with an established law firm, university tech transfer office, or in-house legal department required. Patent and biomedical database search skills required.
DeLizio Gilliamwants a self-motivated individual to join our team of patent professionals, who are committed to generating quality work for our clients. Currently, we seek someone with experience at least in patent application preparation. An applicant’s technical knowledge must include at least one of mixed signal processing, wireless/wired communications, and analog circuits. Preference will be given to an applicant who also possesses knowledge in at least one of computer architecture, networks, and programming. We will accept applications from patent attorneys, patent agents, and patent engineers/technical advisors. An applicant should have strong communication and writing skills. An applicant without a degree in one of the following will NOT be considered: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
Stoel Rives LLP, a full service regional law firm, seeks an associate attorney with 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience to join the firm’s Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington offices. Strong technical background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or optics is required. Excellent academic record, strong interpersonal skills, and USPTO registration also required. Membership to the Oregon or Washington bar is preferred. For more information on the firm and its Technology & Intellectual Property practice group, please visit www.stoel.com.
Candidates should have superior academic credentials and 3+ years of experience in drafting electrical-related patent applications and opinions.
Contact: To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample to Rebecca Whittall, Lawyer Recruiting Manager, at rswhittall@stoel.com.
For more information regarding all our openings and how to apply, go to the careers section of our web site at http://www.stoel.com/careersindex.htm. Please, no calls. EOE
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Portland Ore., or Seattle, Wash.
Wells St. John PS is a full-service Intellectual Property law firm established in 1946 and located in Spokane, Washington. We are currently seeking highly qualified candidates for a position that ultimately leads to ownership. Candidates having 4+ years of experience in all aspects of IP practice including litigation, transactional, preparation and prosecution of applications, and all technical disciplines will be considered. Candidates with portables will be considered subject to conflict checks.
Contact: Interested candidates may submit resumes to the attention of D. Brent Kenady at: bkenady@wellsstjohn.com.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Spokane, Washington
Microsoft is seeking to hire an patent attorney to work in its Redmond, Washington, offices. Put your experience as a patent attorney to great use as a member of Microsoft’s Patent Group, managing patent portfolio development with various Microsoft business divisions, and overseeing key relationships with Microsoft’s outside counsel. Microsoft provides a stimulating, complex, and fast-paced environment, and this position will give the successful candidate an opportunity to maintain the company’s focus on creating and maintaining the World’s most valuable patent portfolio.
Responsibilities: US outside counsel management: • Vet and onboard new outside patent counsel. Work with in-house counseling teams to align outside patent counsel with appropriate technology areas and counseling teams. Oversee the work product of outside patent counsel to ensure that it meets strategic goals and Microsoft quality metrics. Provide ongoing training and support to outside patent counsel. US country management: • Provide leadership in the analysis and implementation of changes in US law and practice. Identify candidate issues and cases for appeal to the BPAI/PTAB. Facilitate issue resolutions between outside patent counsel and the PTO. Develop, update, and promulgate Microsoft patent practice guidelines. Portfolio quality management: • Work closely with in-house client counseling teams to understand the business and technical objectives of the teams and their clients. Use this understanding to assist in the development and implementation of effective patent preparation and prosecution strategies. • Work with various Microsoft teams and vendors to define and improve internal and external processes related to the filing and prosecution of Microsoft patent applications.
Requirements: J.D. from an ABA accredited law school, strong software expertise with BS or MS in CS or EE, excellent academic credentials, USPTO admission, At least 5 years of relevant experience. International experience a plus. Opinion work (invalidity/non-infringement), licensing, litigation and/or advanced technical degree a plus. As this role focuses on managing the preparation and prosecution of software applications, significant computer software patent preparation and prosecution experience is required, preferably with a law firm.
This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by and employee within this position. The actual duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary based on assignment or group. Microsoft is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workplace.
Intellectual Ventures and Invention Law Group, PC seeks a Chief Policy Counsel. This position reports to the General Counsel. Working closely with other attorneys, business leaders and outside counsel, the Chief Policy Counsel will manage public policy issues related to invention rights and intellectual property, as well as other areas that significantly impact IV’s business, including tax, energy, science and technology and investment-related issues, in the U.S. and internationally. An ideal candidate will have substantive expertise in several of these areas, a significant understanding of and experience with U.S. legislative, administrative and judicial processes and organizations and international experience.
Responsibilities: • Manage IV’s involvement in the development of U.S. legislative and regulatory policy, including: • Tracking proposed legislation that may affect patent law or other areas of importance to IV, and communicating those developments to IV personnel as appropriate. • Studying contemplated or pending legislation, proposing changes to such legislation and working with external lobbyists and others in Washington, D.C. to communicate IV’s proposals, testimony and comments to Members and staff. • Proposing new legislation as needed to protect innovation and invention rights, and other aspects of IV’s business. • Monitor U.S. case law developments, including those relating to patent law and other areas of importance to IV’s business, and communicate those developments to IV personnel as appropriate. • Propose and supervise the preparation and filing of amicus briefs in significant U.S. federal court cases. • Manage IV’s participation in U.S. Patent Office developments, including: • Monitoring proposed USPTO rulemaking. • As appropriate, preparing and coordinating the filing of comments and proposals at the USPTO in response to proposed rulemaking. • Monitor international legislative and legal developments related to patent issues and other areas that may affect IV’s business, and recommend appropriate activity to protect and further IV’s business interests. • Carry out the above activities by: • Coordinating with legal and business leaders to ensure alignment with and support of IV’s goals. • Preparing appropriate documents internally and managing outside counsel to prepare documents as needed, and coordinating the filing of documents with appropriate governmental entities. • Meeting with government officials, legislative staffers and legislators as appropriate to support these activities. • Participate actively as IV’s representative in appropriate IP and other organizations, including developing and maintaining strong professional working relationships with organization leaders and members to inform IV’s policy positions. • Establish and develop relationships with professionals in companies and governmental entities, both national and international, that will assist and inform IV’s policy interests. • Manage outside counsel, consultants, lobbyists and department spending to budget.
Legal/Technical: • 15+ years of in-house, law firm, government and/or academic experience with particular expertise in legislative and regulatory policy. • Substantive U.S. and international experience in law and policy in at least some of the following areas: invention rights and intellectual property; tax; energy; science and technology; investment-related issues; and information management, including access control, integration and analytics. Skill in devising strategic legal approaches, particularly with respect to invention and intellectual property rights, contract law, corporate law and patent licensing. • Excellent legal, business and political judgment.
Management/Supervisory: • Demonstrated success in managing programs, consultants and organizational activities. • Demonstrated success in managing costs to budget and driving cost containment initiatives. • Proven track record of accomplishment leading or influencing direct or cross-functional teams of legal and business experts to achieve goals. • Experience partnering with senior-level management and addressing rapid changes in development and delivery requirements. • Demonstrated integrity, maturity, good judgment and a constructive approach to challenges.
Behavioral: • Able to communicate information effectively, both orally and in writing. • Able to develop and maintain good professional relationships with entities and professionals with whom IV may not share common policy positions or goals. • Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills. • Established credibility in relevant professional communities. • Multi-dimensional thinker who responds and creates new approaches based upon pertinent legal developments. • Able to effectively lead cross-functional teams.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Other Job Location: Bellevue, Washington
Intellectual Ventures (“IV”) is a privately-held, invention investment company based in Bellevue, Washington. Intellectual Ventures is the leader in the business of invention. Driven by the belief that invention sparks progress, Intellectual Ventures is committed to creating and sustaining a market for invention. The company creates new inventions, invests in existing inventions and partners with universities and research labs worldwide to develop inventions. Intellectual Ventures provides companies access to these inventions through a variety of licensing and partnering programs.
Stoel Rives LLP a full service regional law firm, seeks an associate attorney with 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience to join the firm’s Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington office. Strong technical background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or optics is required. Excellent academic record, strong interpersonal skills, and USPTO registration also required. Membership to the Oregon or Washington bar is preferred. For more information on the firm and its Technology & Intellectual Property practice group, please visit www.stoel.com.
Qualifications: Candidates should have superior academic credentials and 3+ years of experience in drafting electrical-related patent applications and opinions.
Contact: To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample to Rebecca Whittall, Lawyer Recruiting Manager, at rswhittall@stoel.com. For more information regarding all our openings and how to apply, go to the careers section of our web site at http://www.stoel.com/careersindex.htm. Please, no calls. EOE
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington
Young Basilehas an immediate opening for highly motivated patent prosecution associates in its software, medical device and automotive practice groups. The ideal candidate will have 1-4 years of patent prosecution experience, an undergraduate degree in either electrical engineering or computer science and a registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Based on experience, candidates may work from a virtual office in any location.
The successful candidate must have an excellent academic record, superb written and verbal communication skills. This position includes the opportunity for extensive client contact and exposure to IP litigation and counseling. We offer a reasonable work-life balance coupled with a highly competitive compensation and bonus structure.
Contact: For consideration please submit your cover letter, detailed resume, law school transcript and writing sample in confidence to: Kristy Hughes, Recruitment Coordinator, Young Basile, 3001 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 624, Troy, Michigan, 48084, opportunities@youngbasile.com. No phone calls.
Additional Info: Employer Type: Law Firm Job Location: Remote
Klarquist Sparkman, LLP, a mid-size law firm focusing exclusively on Intellectual Property law, is actively seeking lateral patent prosecution associates or patent agents with electrical engineering, computer science, or physics degrees for its office located in Portland, Oregon. Candidates should have excellent academic credentials (top 33% of class preferred, top 10% strongly preferred) and at least 1-4 years of experience prosecuting patent applications for electronics or computer software. Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills are required. Relevant industry experience or an advanced degree is preferred.
