Patent Agent - Life Sciences

Patent Agent – Life Sciences

Direct Counsel is seeking a Patent Agent to join the Intellectual Property practice of a sophisticated East Coast–based law firm. This is an outstanding opportunity for a Patent Agent with 4+ years of experience to join a growing IP team supporting sophisticated life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device innovations. The role offers broad exposure to patent drafting, prosecution, portfolio strategy, and IP diligence, working closely with attorneys, inventors, and business teams across multiple disciplines.

Position Overview

The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years of patent drafting and prosecution experience, with a strong focus on life sciences technologies, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. This role is ideal for a technically sophisticated Patent Agent who enjoys translating complex scientific innovations into strong patent protection strategies and who wants meaningful involvement in portfolio management, diligence, and long-term IP counseling. The firm offers a hybrid schedule with two remote days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate the patentability of innovations across life sciences and related technology areas
• Prepare, draft, and file U.S. patent applications
• Manage and prosecute U.S. patent applications
• Coordinate with foreign counsel on international prosecution
• Support IP due diligence and freedom-to-operate analyses
• Assist with strategic patent portfolio development and management
• Conduct legal and technical research using: SciFinder, USPTO, WIPO, EPO, other scientific and patent databases
• Collaborate with attorneys, inventors, scientists, and business teams on IP strategy
• Support interdepartmental IP initiatives and outside counsel coordination

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of patent drafting and prosecution experience
• Experience in a law firm or in-house setting
• Strong focus on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences innovations
• Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences discipline required
• USPTO registration required, or eligibility to sit for the Patent Bar in the near term
• Strong experience using patent and scientific search tools/databases
• Ability to connect detailed scientific research with patentability and claim strategy
• Excellent organizational skills and deadline management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with mechanical or electrical patent prosecution is a plus

Compensation

Base salary range: $130,000 – $170,000. Compensation will vary based on office location, experience, scientific background, and overall fit.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Patent Agent will be: deeply technical with strong life sciences fluency, a polished patent drafter and strategist, comfortable working directly with inventors and R&D teams, interested in portfolio counseling beyond routine prosecution, highly organized and deadline-driven, collaborative and team-oriented.

Why This Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for a life sciences Patent Agent seeking sophisticated prosecution and strategic portfolio work within a collaborative, growth-oriented IP platform. The broad office flexibility and strong technical focus make this particularly attractive for candidates who want national practice sophistication with geographic optionality.