IP Counsel, Life Sciences Patents

Anthropic•San Francisco, CA

5d•$335,000 - $385,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic is hiring an in-house life sciences patent counsel to support its life sciences research teams as they conduct wet-lab experiments and use AI to advance biomedical progress. The role manages patent strategy and filings from initial discussions with scientists through global prosecution, and serves as an expert on patent questions arising from AI-assisted scientific research. The counsel will work closely with the patents lead, the Head of IP, Research Legal, Life Sciences Counsel, and outside counsel to build a patent program that supports researchers and partners and aligns with Anthropic’s mission. The position covers U.S. and international patent work, including invention harvesting, filing decisions, drafting oversight, prosecution, and outside-counsel management. It also involves advising on inventorship, ownership, agreements, publication timing, patent diligence, freedom to operate, and emerging legal developments affecting AI in life sciences and biopharma.

Requirements

Hold a JD, LLB, or equivalent law degree and meet local licensing requirements to work as in-house counsel where based.
Have a degree or equivalent training in a life sciences or chemistry field, such as molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioengineering, or organic chemistry.
Have substantial hands-on experience drafting and prosecuting U.S. life sciences patent applications and directing foreign prosecution through local counsel.
Have lead responsibility for a patent portfolio, including budget and outside or foreign counsel management.
Have experience making inventorship determinations and resolving ownership questions in multi-party research arrangements.
Have excellent communication skills and the ability to translate legal risk into practical guidance for scientists, researchers, and business partners.
Bring a low-ego, high-empathy orientation and a willingness to pitch in where needed.
Have intense curiosity about AI and science and a commitment to responsible AI development.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of patent experience, including time as a patent agent, technical specialist, or examiner, at a law firm, biotech or pharmaceutical company, or both, with the ability to work independently.
An advanced degree in a life sciences or chemistry field.
Experience with AI/ML companies or inventions at the intersection of biology and machine learning.
Working knowledge of how patents interact with regulatory exclusivity, trade secrets, and open science.
Familiarity with biosecurity, dual-use research, or export-control considerations in life sciences.
Experience using AI to optimize work and interest in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Responsibilities

Manage U.S. and international patent strategy and filings for life sciences research, including invention harvesting, filing decisions, drafting oversight, prosecution, and outside-counsel management.
Advise life sciences research teams and design scalable guidance and processes for the company’s life sciences efforts.
Make inventorship determinations for AI-assisted research and advise on inventor declarations and the duty of candor.
Develop claim and filing strategies for biological and chemical inventions, platform technologies, and computational methods, accounting for written description, enablement, eligibility, and obviousness.
Partner with Research Legal and Communications on the timing of publications, preprints, presentations, and open-source releases.
Advise on patent aspects of agreements with life sciences and biopharma counterparties, including invention and improvement ownership.
Support patent diligence and freedom-to-operate analyses for research.
Anticipate emerging legal developments affecting AI technologies in life sciences and biopharma and provide strategic guidance to leadership.