PhD-Level Biotech Patent Prosecution Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Salary range: $115K - $145K

Location: Long Beach, CA, San Diego, CA, Pasadena, CA

Hybrid work policy: 5 days in-office in San Diego, Long Beach, or Pasadena, with San Diego and Long Beach preferred (all locations have a hybrid option after the initial onboarding period)

About this role

We are looking for a PhD-level Biotech Patent Prosecution Associate with 0-3 years of patent prosecution experience to join a rapidly growing life sciences practice at a boutique IP firm. The biotech workload has significantly increased and the team needs someone who can hit the ground running to help balance the caseload and work directly with senior biotech patent attorneys.

What will you be doing?

• Drafting and prosecuting U.S. and international patent applications in biotech and life sciences

• Responding to USPTO office actions and conducting examiner interviews

• Analyzing invention disclosures, experimental results, and scientific data from inventors

• Conducting prior art searches and patentability analyses

• Building your own practice with direct client engagement and mentorship from senior partners

Key Requirements

• PhD in life sciences (biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, or related) — non-negotiable

• J.D. from an accredited law school (patent agent candidates no longer being considered)

• USPTO registration or eligibility to sit for the patent bar

• Must work in-person in Pasadena, Long Beach, or San Diego, CA (Long Beach office has hybrid flexibility after onboarding)

• Must provide unofficial transcripts (undergrad, graduate, and law school) with strong grades in core technical coursework

Role responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute patent applications in biotechnology and life sciences
• Analyze invention disclosures, experimental results, and scientific data
• Assist with responding to USPTO communications and conducting interviews with USPTO examiners
• Conduct prior art searches and patentability analyses
• Prepare patent claim charts and support due diligence and freedom-to-operate projects
• Collaborate directly with inventors and scientific teams

Salary

$115K - $145K (Base salary of $115,000–$145,000 commensurate with experience. Guaranteed performance-based bonuses when billing targets are exceeded. KPPB pays 100% of employee medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (Gold PPO or Platinum HMO), which significantly increases total compensation.)