Life Sciences Counsel

Anthropic•New York City, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic's mission is to create reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems that are safe and beneficial for users and society. This role is for Anthropic’s first dedicated Life Sciences Counsel, who will work closely with researchers to accelerate biomedical progress. The counsel will provide trusted advice on life sciences transactions with research organizations and navigate the complexities of operating in a regulated ecosystem. This is a high-scope role for a single lawyer, serving as an embedded legal partner to the life sciences team while collaborating with the broader legal department for specialized expertise.

Requirements

JD and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar (California or New York preferred).
Real fluency in how the life sciences industry works: how drugs get developed, how research organizations are structured, what pharmaceutical and biotech counterparties care about, and why.
Working knowledge of the regulatory environment life sciences tools may be deployed in — GxP, clinical and health data regulations, human-subjects research, FDA processes.
Deep experience with negotiating and drafting complex IP allocation issues in multi-party research arrangements, including ownership of inventions and improvements.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate legal risk into practical guidance for scientists, researchers, and business partners.
Experience scoping and managing outside counsel across specialties (FDA/regulatory, IP, privacy, export control) for both substantive depth and cost efficiency.
Exceptionally collaborative disposition - with the ability to find creative solutions that account for multiple priorities at once.
A low-ego, high-empathy orientation and a "doer" attitude — willing to roll up your sleeves and pitch in where needed.
Intense curiosity about AI and science, and a commitment to responsible AI development.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of relevant legal experience, including substantial experience in life sciences transactional work — contract research, strategic collaborations, and licensing and commercialization deals — with the ability to operate independently and hit the ground running.
Experience with AI/ML companies or products deployed into regulated scientific and clinical settings, particularly for drug discovery.
Familiarity with biosecurity, dual-use research, or export control considerations in the life sciences.
Experience leveraging AI to optimize their work, with a desire to work in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
Scientific or technical training.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key strategic advisor to life science research teams on complex research, development, and commercial matters globally.
Drive high deal volume with life science and biopharma counterparties across a range of sophisticated agreement types.
Identify, analyze, and proactively manage life science regulatory risks in close coordination with the broader Legal department.
Design and implement scalable guidance and processes to support fast-growing life science efforts.
Anticipate emerging legal developments affecting AI technologies in the life science and biopharma space and provide strategic guidance to leadership.