Ph.D. Patent Agent / Technical Specialist — Life Sciences & Chemistry

Hylton-Rodic Law • Washington, DC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is for an exceptional Ph.D.-trained scientist to join an intellectual property practice as a Patent Agent or Technical Specialist. The firm is interested in both current patent professionals and accomplished scientists considering a career transition. The position values intellectual curiosity, the ability to quickly absorb complicated science, strong communication skills, attention to detail, resourcefulness, adaptability, and a drive for excellent work. The role involves sophisticated intellectual property matters for innovative life-sciences clients, including patent application drafting, U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, inventor interviews, prior-art analysis, portfolio management, patent clearance, and other strategic IP projects. The level of responsibility will grow with demonstrated ability, aiming for the individual to be as comfortable talking science with an inventor as translating it into patent work.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (chemistry, organic or medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, immunology, cell biology, and related life-sciences disciplines)
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated scientific and academic achievement
• Ability to understand and communicate sophisticated technical concepts
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Authorization to work in the United States
• For Patent Agent candidates, USPTO registration is required.
• For experienced candidates, substantive experience with patent drafting and prosecution, inventor interaction, technical analysis, and increasingly independent matter responsibility is of particular interest.
• For candidates considering patent law, scientific depth, writing ability, curiosity, resilience, judgment, and learning velocity are key.

Nice To Haves

• A patent application substantially drafted by the candidate (for experienced patent professionals)
• An Office Action response substantially drafted by the candidate (for experienced patent professionals)

Responsibilities

• Patent application drafting
• U.S. patent prosecution
• Foreign prosecution strategy and coordination
• Inventor interviews and invention harvesting
• Prior-art and patentability analysis
• Portfolio management and strategy
• Patent clearance and freedom-to-operate analysis
• Technical and claim analysis in support of opinion work
• Other strategic IP projects as your capabilities develop

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Commuter benefits
• Paid time off
• Mental health days
• Birthday leave
• Annual holiday break, including a half-day on Christmas Eve and firm closure through New Year’s Day
• "Sunshine Fridays"/early Fridays when applicable performance targets are met
• Performance-based bonus opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree