Patent Agent - Research

The Jackson Laboratory • Farmington, CT

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Patent Agent – Research is tasked with safeguarding the intangible assets of JAX by identifying, capturing, maintaining, and protecting intellectual property rights. This role offers a unique opportunity to leverage client and strategic portfolio management skills while building and streamlining IP processes to drive efficiencies. The position is crucial for helping researchers navigate complex intellectual property landscapes and develop strategies to secure and enforce IP rights of JAX Research that align with organizational goals and maximize value. A strong candidate will demonstrate the ability to apply scientific expertise with commercial and legal considerations to support short- and long-term objectives. The ideal candidate is outgoing, proactive, and approachable with JAX faculty, an excellent communicator comfortable conducting oral presentations, and has experience with academic investigators. The ability to work independently and intellectual curiosity are also required.

Requirements

• Registered to practice before the USPTO
• At least 5 years of experience in patent drafting and prosecution (in-house and/or IP law firm)
• Strong client interface, collaboration, and strategic portfolio consulting skills.
• Strong awareness of timing (when to disclose, file, publish, engage third parties, etc.).
• Able to identify issues and engage stakeholders when relevant.
• Able to weigh pros/cons of the various forms of IP protection with organizational goals in light of the overarching landscape.
• Demonstrated ability in setting IP portfolio strategy and implementing through effective patent drafting and prosecution.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, writing, and project management skills.
• Excellent communicator, who is comfortable conducting oral presentations and has experience with academic investigators is required.
• Ability to work independently.
• Exhibits intellectual curiosity.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in genetics, molecular or cell biology, immunology, cell physiology/biophysics, biochemistry or a comparable life science field with any applicable prior research and/or product development experience.
• MS in genetics, molecular or cell biology, immunology, cell physiology/biophysics, biochemistry, or a comparable life science field with at least 4 years applicable prior research and/or product development experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with research teams and cross-functionally (e.g., research, business development) to provide strategic, proactive, and practical guidance regarding intellectual property opportunities, strategies, and risk.
• Present and engaged in research reviews and retreats.
• Support day-to-day IP needs of JAX Researchers across a variety of scientific disciplines.
• Keep a pulse on workstreams, collaborations, and publications.
• Assist in the review of invention disclosures and patent landscape searches.
• Influence and engage inventors on their support and collaboration in pursuit of the recommended IP protection strategy/ approach.
• Collaborate with inventors to gather and provide appropriate guidance on technical details, drawings, and experimental data to deliver optimal patent protection.
• Advise and actively manage strategy, drafting, prosecution, and maintenance of patent matters (both directly and with outside counsel).
• Support regular portfolio review sessions and occasionally prune the portfolio to align with organizational initiatives.
• Conduct patent searches for prior art, patentability, clearance, and freedom-to-operate analyses, both directly and through management of outside counsel.
• Provide Sponsored Research Administration with patent filing data for annual progress reports, renewal applications, award closeouts, and final invention statements reported in iEdison under the Bayh-Dole Act.
• Report inventions and patents that have resulted from federally funded research grants/contracts to the funding agency via iEdison.
• Provide educational presentations and other training on IP matters to JAX employees to build an IP savvy culture.

Benefits

• The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior